Vampire Mine

Chapter Fifteen

Stupid fucking bitch.

Sadie followed her first punch with a second, landing a solid blow to her opponent’s flared nostrils. Blood gushed, winding down to Brandi’s mouth.

Fantastic. Even better than she’d expected.

Not even two seconds in and she’d taken the lead. She hadn’t used her speed yet—and wouldn’t—unless she had to. The ignorant thundercunt from hell didn’t know who she was messing with. When it came to women—regardless of species—some things remained the same. Even if Diskant could manage to get most of the werewolves in the pack to listen, these bitches would cause a stink.

A constant stream of doubt and negativity could very well turn the tables.

Fuck it all if she let that happen.

She hadn’t expected the pack to surround them but they did. The wolves were so close they forced the women closer together. There was nowhere to run and little room to maneuver. She tuned everyone out, watching I’m-too-stupid-to-live Brandi shake off the lovetaps to her nose. Sadie’s instincts kicked in, a prickle of awareness sharpening her vision and hearing. She reached out with her mind, listening for what Brandi was going to do next.

There wasn’t much logical thought. The woman was all rage.

Sadie paid rapt attention to the woman’s wolf, who wanted to spill Sadie’s blood. The animal had started breaking free, trying to take control. She wondered if Brandi might actually shift. If she did it would change the game significantly. On two legs Brandi wasn’t much of a threat. Standing on four paws she’d be a lethal opponent.

The deranged woman charged and Sadie whipped to the side. Brandi soared past her, barreling toward the people blocking her path. In a second she gained her balance and turned. There wasn’t any sense in trying to drain the crazed female. Werewolves were stronger than vampires. In order to end the fight Sadie knew she’d have to engage the bitch and take her down. Using her natural abilities, she could do it easily. But was it the smart thing to do? Would she take one obstacle down only to face another?

Her temples pounded, her hands forming into fists.

It was such a thin red line to walk.

If she revealed her hand too soon the wolves around her might pounce.

“Do it.” Trey’s order was loud in her head. “Take her down.”

She wasn’t sure how he’d heard her thoughts and didn’t have time to question it. The certainty in the command told her he meant it. He knew the pack better than she did. If he thought it was best to take Brandi down quickly there was a reason. Her entire body pulsed with energy, her magic rising. She didn’t try to push it away, allowing the power to suffuse her.

Come at me again. She lifted her hands, taunting her prey. Bring it.

Brandi rushed her again, claws bared, fangs on display. Sadie stood still, knowing she had to make her move decisively. Time slowed down, seconds stretching out like hours. Sadie could see everything—the wind blowing through Brandi’s hair, her pupils dilating, her claws growing longer. It only took three enormous steps and Brandi was within Sadie’s reach.

Sadie reared back, putting all of her power into her swing.

Her fist made solid contact with Brandi’s jaw, the impact enough to break bone.

The female flew back several feet and staggered. Sadie watched as Brandi toppled, landing on her back. Brandi didn’t move, knocked flat on her ass and down for the count. Blood seeped from her nose and mouth, dribbling down the side of her face into her hair. Everyone standing around them gasped and veered back. Sadie kept her guard up, sensing there might be more women who wanted to see if they could do better.

“Is there anyone else?” she screamed, limbs shaking from the adrenaline coursing through her. “If so say it now!”

Murmurs came from the crowd and she felt the heaviness of their stares. She picked out random thoughts, darting from one mind to the next. Some were shocked. Others were impressed. A majority thought she was strong enough to be an Alpha’s mate but still wanted to know what in the hell she was.

The group parted at her back but she didn’t move. She knew it was Trey approaching her. Their connection had become so strong she could literally feel his fury. She might have won but he did not like seeing her fighting. The entire time he’d been terrified. He wanted her safe and felt it was his job to settle the score when it came to physical matters.

“You heard her,” Trey announced and slid an arm around her middle. “The same goes for me. If you want to fight for my spot say so.”

Of course it wasn’t going to be that easy.

None of the wolves trusted her, even though she’d faced a challenger and came out on top. Several of the males sized Trey up but didn’t speak, weighing the pros and cons of taking the man on. Sadie trembled, telling herself she’d have to find a way not to interfere if such a thing happened. If she tried to fight Trey’s battles he’d never be respected as an Alpha.

This is such a load of crap.

“My mate has given up everything to be here,” Trey informed the pack. “She has turned her back on everything she knows. You should be asking her why she thinks she’s capable of doing the job and judge her on her merits, not by what she is.”

But the question remained and it always would.

No matter what anyone said the pack demanded an answer.

She decided to show them. In a flash she phased from Trey to Diskant and Ava. It took the pack several seconds to find her. Once they did, they knew. Anyone who’d heard about her kind was aware of their strange method of travel. Ava moved next to her, so close their arms were inches apart. Diskant had already taken a couple of steps from the barn so that he stood slightly in front of them.

“A vampire?” someone asked, horror written all over his face.

“Yes, a vampire,” Diskant confirmed, nodding. “One who has—as your Alpha told you—risked everything to come here.”

“She can control him!” a woman shrieked.

“She could kill us all!” another woman cried out.

“I won’t,” Sadie replied, calling out, “I’d never do such a thing.”

“Yes you would,” someone screamed. “It’s your nature.”

“I’ve reached a bargain with your Alpha,” Diskant shouted, keeping his shoulders back, arms resting at his sides. “If any such thing happens I will hunt them down and destroy them. They can run but they’ll never hide. I’ll spread the word to every single pack until they’ve been located and killed.”

Sadie’s stomach twisted. Thinking of the horde coming after her wasn’t pleasant at all. But the possibility of something happening to Trey—that they would hunt him and put him down like a dog—constricted her chest. Breathing wasn’t easy. She had to fight to inhale, forcing herself to remain composed. Her gaze drifted to Trey and she wanted him to get away from the wolves and come to her side. Fear was like a spider creeping over her skin. She had to keep her hands—limp and unthreatening—at her sides instead of rubbing away the sensation.

“I don’t know if it’s a good idea to stay here anymore.” A big male stepped forward, addressing the group. “With everything that’s happened maybe it would be best for everyone to disband and find homes with other packs.”

“I agree.” Another equally large man backed the speaker up. “We’ve already lost too much. You can’t ask us to keep trusting you when you bring Shepherds and vampires into the mix. There’s only so much we’ll accept.”

No one wanted to challenge Trey. They knew better.

“That’s your choice but I’d ask you to think about the dangers you’ll face by leaving.” Diskant’s unwavering control impressed Sadie. Aside from annoyance with the pack he’d managed to keep weak emotion out of the conversation. “Shepherds just hit our city but they’ve been attacking others for years. You won’t be able to avoid them as well in rural areas. They’ll hunt you down. Here they’re not as free to move around unnoticed.”

“I think I’ll take my chances.” Andrea growled, scowling at Sadie. The angry werewolf looked at the people around her. “How can any of you even consider staying? You have a human mated to our Omega, a Shepherd mated to the Alpha’s brother, and now our Alpha has taken a vampire as his mate. Think about how much this could cost all of us. Is it worth the risk to your families?”

“She’s right,” Brandi snarled and joined her friend. Blood coated her nose and chin. “This is fucked. I’m packing my bags. To hell with this shit.”

A ripple of agreement soon followed, the wolves talking among themselves.

The alarm Sadie had for Trey changed, turning into panic for Ava, Diskant, Mary and Emory. With everyone gone they’d have to leave as well. That put them in a precarious position. She wasn’t sure what to do or say. Fighting hadn’t gotten the job done. Talking hadn’t worked either. Diskant had given the pack a generous promise in order to keep Trey around but none of the wolves were having it.

Sadie tried to do a headcount.

There were maybe fifty people in the group. Not all of the pack members had been able to make it, as they were guarding areas in the city. If even a quarter of the wolves decided to leave there was a good chance the pack would scatter and go somewhere else.

Think of something fast. It can’t end like this.

She tried to work out different scenarios, trying to find a potential fix. Then an unexpected scream echoed from the house, conveying raw terror. Everyone’s heads turned, their eyes focused on the source of the sound.

Mary.

Sadie knew none of them could make it to the woman as fast as she could. She phased again, traveling to her weapon. She grasped her sword and phased to the living room of Diskant’s residence. As soon as she landed she ripped the blade from its casing.

It was a smart decision.

Aldon stood across from Mary, who cowered in the corner of the room. Mary had a hand covering one side of her face.

The bastard fucking hit her.

Aldon spun, facing Sadie. “Where’s your friend? Take me to her.”

“The hell I will. I have to say,” Sadie whispered, griping the hilt of her weapon, unadulterated vehemence thundering in her veins. “You are one stupid son of a bitch.”

She caught his movement before he pounced.

Lifting her blade, she lashed out at her enemy.

“Mary!” Emory roared and rushed toward the house.

“Stay here,” Trey ordered the pack, following his brother.

The wolf had risen instinctively, the harsh feel of fur brushing under his skin an indication he’d better move fast. If he didn’t the animal would take over. He heard Diskant talking over the chaotic group, his voice rising over theirs as they shouted in confusion and uncertainty. Emory didn’t bother with the gate, barreling into it with his shoulder. The metal bent and parted, making way.

Another scream—this time from behind him—drew Trey short.

He whipped around, shocked to see Aldon appear right next to Ava and Diskant. Then Sadie was there, going at the dangerous leech with all she was worth.

Fuck.

He reversed course, rushing toward the battle. Diskant swiped Ava up and moved her away while the pack backed the hell up. The growls the pack made were angry but weak. They didn’t have faith in those who’d vowed to protect them. Without that safeguard none of them knew what to do. So they stood back, watching Sadie and Aldon exchange blows.

Trey’s feet carried him over the distance, the world blurring by. He was almost in reach of Sadie, nearly able to touch her. Lashing out with a clawed hand, he aimed at the back of Aldon’s head. As he swung the male vanished. Trey pulled back, barely missing Sadie. Her ice blue eyes darted over the crowd and her nostrils flared. Then she was gone.

Damn it.

Members of the pack, unable to do anything else, crouched into defensive positions. They were under attack but didn’t understand their opponent.

Aldon reappeared near one of gate posts. He yanked the length of metal from the ground and sent it whipping toward the barn. Most of the men and women in the way managed to lower themselves to the ground but a couple of them were nailed with the beam. They went down and didn’t get back up.

Sadie emerged behind Aldon. Dropping the sword, she went at the vampire with her fists. She hit him in the side and followed it up with a devastating knock to the back of his head. He pivoted, snarling at her. Trey’s heart sank to his stomach, terror and fear swirling together. He couldn’t lose her now. Not after he’d finally faced his darkest fears. Not when they finally had a chance for some kind of future together.

“Damn you,” Aldon spat, throwing up his hand. “You’ll learn.”

An invisible force lifted Sadie into the air. She flew back several feet and hit the wooden fencing. The wood broke under her weight, cracking in two as she crashed to the ground. Trey scented her blood, knew that she had been hurt. The beast roared in his skull, his hackles rising. He would rip the motherfucker apart.

“I’ll kill you!” Trey snarled, leaping at the male.

He let the wolf rise, welcoming its presence. His claws extended, fangs dropping in his mouth. He tackled the vampire, forcing Aldon to the grassy earth. The pent-up aggression Trey’d carried for so long finally had an outlet. He sent his fist into Aldon’s side over and over again. An ear-splitting crack informed Trey he’d broken several of the vampire’s ribs. A spattering of fur erupted from his skin, the wolf trying to force him to shift. He managed to keep his human form, using the animal’s strength.

His breath caught when something changed, a force like no other slamming into him. There was no feeling like it—raw power and strength. He wanted to bray in relief, finally given the one thing he needed. The pack had finally pulled together, offering him their solidarity. Their combined energy suffused him, making him stronger and faster. Each time Trey’s knuckles slammed into Aldon’s side he felt the bones give. Just a little bit more and he’d puncture the fucker’s lung.

A blast of fire seemed to come from the vampire beneath him.

Trey tried to hold on but something dislodged him. He skittered to the side, not far away but unable to strike the man. Aldon didn’t rise, phasing from the ground. Trey’s head moved, his eyes taking in the area. At any given second the asshole would materialize and go for someone else.

“She’s not here,” Ava yelled, her high-pitched wail tinted by fear. “She left hours ago. The woman you want is gone.”

“Who’s gone?” a pack member growled, his gaze darting wildly into open space.

“Are you sure about that?” Aldon asked, the inquiry full of menace.

Trey froze, the wind knocked out of him.

Aldon stood behind Ava, his hand wrapped around her neck.

“Choose your answer carefully,” Aldon seethed.

“Fucker!” Sadie thundered, jumping on Aldon’s back.

Trey’s stomach bottomed out. He hadn’t seen his mate appear.

Ava ducked—getting free as Sadie went at Aldon’s eyes with her fingers—and made a mad dash for Diskant. Trey ran to his mate, his feet pounding against the soft ground. Each of his breaths was short and stinted. He’d never tried to direct the pack’s power to someone else but found himself sending all his energy to his Sadie. He willed everything he was to her, sending the pack’s influence to his female. She wrapped her legs around Aldon’s waist, holding on even as the male tried to shake her off.

“I spared your life and this is how you repay me?” he snarled, fangs shining and lips drawn back. His blond hair mixed with Sadie’s, one shade slightly lighter than the other. “No more. It’s time you were introduced to humility.”

They vanished, evaporating before the pack.

Trey forced his weight back, coming to a stop. He used his nose, trying to find Sadie’s scent. Alarm sent the wolf into a mad frenzy. He tried to keep it back, flexing his muscles. The animal didn’t want to listen, ripping at his insides.

He heard Diskant snarl and glanced up.

Aldon stood across the field with Sadie in his grasp.

Trey’s chest tightened, a phantom hand squeezing his heart. He watched—horrified—as Aldon threw his mate from him and Sadie soared through the air. She was headed toward the barn, her body moving too fast to catch. The momentum would kill a person. He wasn’t sure that she’d survive the impact. Only a few feet from the barn, she disappeared.

“Sadie!” he screamed, fisting his hands. His claws pierced his skin, causing blood to flow. He’d never run faster, going for the barn. Praying he’d find her. “Sadie!”

Then she was there, standing directly in front of him.

He almost sagged, thankful she was still alive.

Until he saw the deep, jagged wounds running from her neck to her stomach.

Blood covered her shirt, seeping down her torso. It looked like four claws had been pierced her skin and torn the flesh all the way to her bones. She tried to lift her arms, her eyes dulled by pain. Her legs buckled and she fell, sinking to her knees. She tried to talk, lips moving though she made no sound. Bringing a hand to her chest, she tried to stem the bleeding.

Oh God. No.

He made it to her, catching her before she landed on her face.

“Is he gone?” a pack member questioned, followed by someone else asking, “What was that?” Another voice chimed in, “Why would a vampire attack one of its own?”

Confusion turned into concern.

“What’s wrong with her?” someone yelled. “Is she all right?”

Irony. How he hated it.

They’d wanted to toss her aside, leave her on her ass and forget all about her. Yet she’d tried to protect them anyway, putting herself between them and danger.

His inhale was ragged, his fingers trembling.

If she hadn’t have gotten Aldon away from Ava the pack would have lost Diskant. The Omega wouldn’t continue living without the tiny woman. He’d rather die. Where would that leave them?

Alone and searching for a place to call home.

“Back off,” Zach ordered coolly. “Give them space.”

The Beta’s influence spread over the pack, reaching out to their beasts. He wasn’t as powerful as Nathan but he had definite potential. Even Trey felt the power of Zach’s wolf, the way it stretched itself to soothe the turmoil of the pack. It gave them a center of gravity, replacing chaos with order.

What had started as loathing had somehow turned to worry.

The pack’s anxiety slammed into Trey and he experienced their regret. Although they weren’t sure about Sadie they’d seen what she’d done. They created a circle around the fallen woman and their Alpha, forming a protective barrier around them. Trey wanted to be angry, to tell them all to go to hell. But he didn’t. He had to take care of Sadie. She needed blood and she needed it now.

“What did he do?” Ava shouldered her way through the wolves, Diskant on her heels. She was ruffled—her blonde hair messy and her face splotched with dirt—but unhurt. “How bad is it?”

“It’s not good.” His voice shook but he didn’t give a shit about that. Trey tried to be careful when he hoisted Sadie into his arms. “I need to get her inside.”

“All of you,” Diskant said, his tone dark, “stay out here and keep watch. If you want to leave now’s your chance. But if you chose to split don’t bother coming back. I’ll escort you out of my city if you ever show your face here again.”

Trey marched to the house, trying not to jostle the woman in his embrace. She’d lost so much blood. He felt it coating his arms, staining his skin. He didn’t want to look down and see the damage but he had to look at her face. She was so pale, her skin an eerie white. Her eyes were open but he could tell she was close to losing consciousness.

“Don’t give up on me.”

“I won’t.” Even her voice—whispering through his thoughts—was weak. Then, with a pain that sliced through him, she thought, “I’m sorry.”

Son of a bitch. He wanted to kill something. To destroy the first thing he saw.

After everything she’d done, she thought she’d failed.

“I’ve got you, darlin’,” he whispered, eyes burning as his vision blurred. “I’m never letting you go. Fuck them all.”

“I do love you.” Her fingers drifted to his forearm, weak and uncoordinated. “I have for a long time.”

Forcing back panic, he increased the pace.

She wouldn’t have made that confession if she wasn’t afraid. With her injuries he didn’t blame her. She was surrounded by people who’d turned their backs on her. She had no way of knowing if they’d keep her safe or toss her out.

Her head lolled back and she went limp.

At the very least she wasn’t feeling any pain. Once he got her inside he’d pry her mouth open and force his blood down her throat if he had to. His number one priority was getting her well. Then all bets were off. Once he’d healed her properly he was finished.

He’d thought the pack was more important than her.

He’d believed he couldn’t live in a world without them.

He’d been wrong.