Page 211 of Cruelly Bitten

The alphas had gone silent upon our approach, their tense forms betraying their serious conversation. Yet they’d played it off as though they’d just been catching up.

Edon had smelled the lie, but he’d let it go.

Yet all three of us had decided then and there that something was going on. Something big. We just had no idea what.

And the bomb Cam had just dropped on everyone—the information about his brother’s potential involvement—was not helping matters.

The wolves were already struggling to trust Cam, his lack of memories and aloof demeanor marking him as ineligible for leadership.

“Why should we follow him?” I’d heard one of them ask in a whisper.

“We shouldn’t,” another had replied.

But the vampires had been too busy debating amongst themselves to hear it.

Just like the lycans were too consumed with their own conversations now to even notice Cam and Damien leaving with Ryder and Kylan right behind them.

Rae cleared her throat beside me. “Kylan says we should follow.” The comment was clearly for Willow, not me.

“No,” Willow replied. “Everything is too tense. Too…” Her lips curled down. “All they’re talking about is themselves, who might oppose them, and the potential for revenge. I don’t see how this is a plan for the future. It’s so fucked in the present.”

“It is,” a cultured voice agreed.Khalid. He ran his turquoise gaze over Willow. “I see why Ryder chose you.”

Emine made a sound that had him wrapping his arm around her athletic yet lean shoulders.

“Don’t worry, darling mirage. I’m not looking to switch, just appreciating Ryder’s taste.”

The slayer—a title that had absolutely fascinated me when I’d learned about it the other day—leveled him with a glare. “Feel free to switch, My Prince. I could use a break from your company.”

The vampire royal chuckled. “You say that now, habibi. But I’ll remind you later why you don’t actually mean it.”

He leaned in to kiss her throat, causing the woman to stiffen.

I couldn’t quite figure out their relationship.Antagonistic yet clearly enamored. Because I could smell their interest in one another.

Stop playing with vampires and join me,Luna whispered into my mind.These alphas are giving me a headache.

I met her honey-brown gaze from across the room, my heart instantly skipping a beat.All right, little moon.I could never say no to her, my mate the owner of my heart and soul.

You never obey me like that,Edon muttered.

Because you enjoy my defiance, Alpha,I replied before nodding to Willow and Rae, the action meant to signify my exit.

They didn’t reply, but that was mostly because their two vampire royals had just reentered the room. And they didn’t appear pleased with having to come back for theirErositas.

I enjoy making you kneel, Enforcer,Edon returned.

I ignored his sensual taunt and moved to stand behind him and Luna.The vampires have left the room, I told them.Presumably to go to the airfield.

Although, Cam had said only he and Damien were allowed to fly to the compound. So I wasn’t quite sure why all of them had left. Perhaps they were working on a contingency plan.

Or maybe Darius was continuing his discussion with Cam about Cane.

Even Khalid had left. Hazel, too. And the human who had been harmed—Keys—was nowhere to be seen.

Yet the wolves remained oblivious, their debate seeming to be about who should lead the inevitable raid.

When it became clear a consensus wasn’t going to be reached, they finally realized the vampires were gone.