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“Where are they living?” she asked, knowing damn well they weren’t on the streets. Derek could twist a story, but she was seeing things more clearly lately.

“Oh, you care now?” he asked. He was avoiding the answer.

“Where are they living?”

Derek’s face morphed into that terrifying expression again before he angled the phone away from himself. The screen went black. Whooo, he hadn’t ever liked her much, but now he really hated her.

It was at this moment that the front door cracked open, startling her. Kade came in, finger on his lips.Be quiet.

He padded silently to the love seat on the other side, and sat down, clenched his fists in front of him and went still. He looked handsome today in a dark grey T-shirt, and blue jeans. He’d gotten a haircut, and it was short on the sides, and mussed on top. He was the hottest man she’d ever been around, and now her heart was pounding a little harder.

“Where are you?” Derek asked, and she snapped her attention back to the screen of her phone. The Alpha was back and looked calm again.

“I’m safe.”

“Answer my fucking question.”

The hair prickled on the back of her neck, and a low snarl emanated from her.

“What the fuck was that?” Derek demanded. His dark eyebrows raised, and his eyes sparked with anger. “Was that growl for me?”

“Y-yes,” she whispered, feeling like there was cement in her windpipe.

“I want you to come back to Sister’s Edge now. That is enough. What you did was unforgiveable, but we have had a meeting with the entire Crew, and your brother and Connor have begged for your place here to be reinstated.”

She shook her head, so confused. “Why would you want me back?”

“Because Connor is going to be important for the future of Sister’s Edge. Now, you understand you and your brother’s importance to our continuation, but make no mistake, when you come back here, you are to stop running from the Promise, and you are to settle down and get into line. You’ve always had a problem with that part.”

“No, I haven’t. I’ve tried—”

“Shut up! I don’t want to hear it.”

Kade stood in a rush and walked to the kitchen, clenching and unclenching his fists. When he turned back to her, his eyes were the color of frost.

She put her hand out.It’s okay. I’m okay. Be calm. Be still.

Jess was used to being talked to in this way.

“What would you like to talk about?” she asked Derek.

“Your brother has given his oath that his offspring will be a part of Sister’s Edge. You’ll do the same.”

“My offspring,” she said quietly.

“You know why,” he gritted out. “Don’t pretend you don’t know why I allowed you into Sister’s Edge. You aren’t pretty, Jess. You aren’t a sight to behold. You don’t have your animal anymore. You are disfigured, but your children wouldn’t be. You are submissive, but with the right breeding, your children wouldn’t be. You’re witch-blooded, Jess. Anyone can feel it. It’s stronger in you than your brother. It’s been three generations since we had witch-blooded members, and I want to change that.”

“You want to change that,” she repeated numbly. “So, you want me to sign a Promise to Connor, and sign my offspring to Sister’s Edge?” She didn’t hide the disgust in her voice.

Kade was in the kitchen, his back to her, one arm locked on the sink as he stared out the window, drinking a glass of water. Every muscle in his back was tense and easily visible through the thin material of his T-shirt. Well, unfortunately now Kade would know what she was, if he didn’t already know.

“Why the fuck else would we want you?” Derek growled. “You can’t take orders, you can’t mind rules, you aren’t pleasant to look at. You’re lucky you’ve been offered two Promise contracts. Kade’s was a mistake. He was planning treachery in this Crew, but Connor is loyal. He can elevate your status, and can provide a home when you get here, since your old house was destroyed by your decisions. We are still willing to take you back.”

Lucky her.

How many times had she been told how ugly she was? How many shots had she taken after the accident? How much had she wished those insults would slow down as she went through her surgeries?

“Did Kade really kill Tanner?” she asked suddenly.