Damn it. Mary’s innocent movement was a display of aggression even though she wasn’t aware of the danger behind the action. The pack males wouldn’t attack, but the women would.
“If you want to kill me,” Mary announced, keeping her head high, “now’s your chance.”
Foolish and brave fucking female.
Emory growled and started for Mary but Ava pushed him aside. He regained his balance but before he could reach his female the petite blonde had stormed to Mary’s side. Ava took Mary’s hand and faced the furious crowd.
“Don’t you dare threaten the godmother of my child,” Ava snarled at the advancing females, her irises changing color.
“Your what?” Mary gasped and tried to pull away.
“Not now,” Ava grumbled, beneath her breath. “We’ll discuss the details later. I’m just getting started. Someone has to put them in their place.” When Mary stopped talking, Ava lashed out again. “Mary’s mated to Emory, a member of our pack. Her loyalty to us has been proven on many occasions. In fact, she’s saved our kind and put her own life at risk.”
Ava gave Mary a small smile and said, “Someone traveled a long way to see you.” Peering past Mary’s shoulder, Ava looked at Diskant. “Would you let them in?”
Diskant nodded and waved at Kinsley, who opened the door to the garage and stepped back. Emory watched a pride walk in—tigers. They were obviously shifters who thrived outside the city, as they weren’t garbed in outrageous or expensive clothing, choosing blue jeans and T-shirts instead of leather and silk. A large male—the Alpha—stepped forward and moved aside. He was almost as large as Diskant, his reddish-colored hair cut short. Then Emory saw the girl behind him.
She was a tiny thing, almost coltish, and the same age as Mary. Her bronze-colored hair was long with locks of black buried within the strands. When she lifted her head her golden gaze glided across the distance to Mary. The two stared at each other for several seconds, as though they were communicating silently.
Then the girl moved closer, her steps cautious. “Mary,” she said softly.
If it wasn’t for Ava, Mary would have collapsed. Emory rushed for his mate, placed his arm around her waist and prepared to take her downstairs when Mary stopped him. She reached out, her arm shaking.
“Dara,” she murmured. “You made it home.”
Dara started crying and grasped Mary’s hand. Emory let Mary go and the women wrapped their arms around each other, crying in heart-wrenching sobs. It was then that Emory realized the identity of the girl.
The shifter Mary saved when she’d left hell behind. The woman Mary refused to kill as a sacrifice to prove herself to her family.
The females had been through hell and survived it, forming a connection only the two of them could fully understand. And apparently the women had made strong impressions on each other. A few of the pack grumbled disapprovingly, continuing to glare hatefully at Mary, and the tiger Alpha stepped forward.
“Heed me,” the man said, his voice menacing, the word vibrating as his vocal cords started to change. “My name is Harrison Garner, and Mary Shepherd is under the protection of my pride. She bound herself to us when she saved my daughter’s life. If you don’t want her here, make your intentions clear. She is welcome in our home. We’ll gladly take her and leave.”
More chaos came from the pack, as well as the members of the pride who started to surround Mary protectively. Dara and Mary separated, the male with Dara pulled her behind him and sent her to the group at his back and Emory rushed to his female’s side. To Emory’s shock, Kinsley had vanished into thin air. Kinsley never left when he was needed. Why did he ditch the pack when they needed his guidance most?
“Silence!” Trey thundered, his voice deep as he turned on his pack. “Mary Shepherd is mated to my brother. That makes her my sister-in-law. Your Alpha’s sister-in-law.” Trey didn’t have to yell any longer, his presence and newfound connection with the pack shut them all up. “If any of you have a problem with that, pack your shit and leave my city. A person doesn’t choose their blood but they do choose their family. Mary has chosen her family—our family.” Trey spun around and looked at Mary, glowing eyes intense. “Isn’t that right?”
Mary’s eyes widened and she looked around the room. Her fear returned, the stench of it stinking up the entire area around them. “I… I…”
“Welcome her,” Trey commanded softly. “Show her the respect she’s due. She saved a shifter girl she didn’t know and could have died for it. She ran from her family because she isn’t like them. Don’t judge her for what she hasn’t done. If you do you’re no better than those she left behind.”
The threat of violence lingered in the air, a combination of the anger of the feline shifters and the animosity of the wolves in the room. Emory prepared to attack anyone who came at Mary, his muscles tense, the beat of his heart drumming in his ears. The females of the pack came first, their shoulders stiff, revealing they weren’t entirely happy about the situation but they weren’t going to challenge their Alpha over it. One by one they greeted Mary, welcomed her to the pack and stepped aside.
Diskant took the lead when it came to the men, only he didn’t nod at Mary and welcome her. The Omega brought her into his arms and hugged her. Bending low, he whispered something in her ear. Whatever it was made Mary’s lips curve into a small smile. Then Diskant moved away and allowed the other members of the pack to greet her properly. The men weren’t as harsh, giving her warm smiles. By the time they were finished, the pride Alpha—Harrison—seemed appeased and Mary had stopped trembling.
“With that out of the way, I’m asking if any of you want to challenge my position in the pack,” Trey announced, bringing everyone’s full attention to him. “Changes have to take place, so I need to know if you’re going to listen to me or give me shit. If you want a shot at the crown, say so now. I won’t tolerate any bitchiness later.”
Emory glanced around. No one moved, watching Trey closely. Then they inched their heads to the side, revealing their necks, a sign of submission and respect. Trey didn’t smile or nod, waiting until everyone had the opportunity to speak their piece.
“I’m backing Diskant’s original request,” Trey said. “Those of you who live away from the pack inside the city need to start house hunting. Those of you who live in the Five Boroughs need to tighten security. The Shepherds we’ve encountered aren’t going to stop. We are safe when we are united. We’re going to have to organize a security detail as soon as possible.”
He glanced at Diskant and waited for the Omega’s nod before he continued, “We received word early this morning that the attacks on the Shepherd compounds we located were moderately successful. Over a dozen locations were destroyed. Many managed to flee but our enemies have been dealt a devastating blow. They’ll need time to recover their losses and plan. During that time I want us to start doing the same. I expect all of you to work together to coordinate a guard rotation in your area. For those of you who feel the danger is too high, I’ll make calls to packs that interest you and see if they have room.”
Trey stood taller, looking at everyone around him. “I’m not going to lie. Staying here will put you and those you love in danger. It’s not a safe time to be a shifter. No one will judge you if you decide to leave. All we can do is brace ourselves.” Trey glanced at Diskant. “This isn’t a job for one man, it’s a pack effort. All in or all out. It’s your choice.”
“I’m in,” Diskant replied with a trace of humor.
“So am I,” Nathan said and stepped in beside Trey.