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Chapter one

Micheala

T he uproar of the pack is near deafening. I knew when I showed up at my best friend’s doorstep, I wouldn’t get the warmest of welcomes. But I didn’t expect them to want my head either.

It’s no secret Vampires and Werewolves aren’t on exactly the best of terms. Centuries of bad blood lay between us. I understand why they don’t want a vampire amongst them. Hell, if they knew who I truly was, they’d probably have tried to kill me by now.

“They seriously hate us,” Marley says, leaning over toward me.

I scan the angry faces of the crowd before us. I thought Marley and I would at least get to rest before we were brought in front of the group, but Chayton called a meeting with his entire pack right after we showed up. Wolves fill the small meeting hall. From old to young. Even little Miko is here. He’s standing behind Liz’s leg in his wolf form. His little ears are up, and his back is straight as he glares at us.

I don’t fault any of them for their hostility. I deserved it.

“You need to keep that block up.” I turn, giving my sister my attention.

Because Marley is an empath, she can feel and control people’s emotions. However, she is only seventeen, basically an infant in vampire years. Her abilities are still new to her, and she hasn’t figured out how to control them yet. As of now, her only power is being a sponge for emotions. Anything anyone is feeling around her, she absorbs. Which is why the first thing I taught her is how to put up blocks in her head.

“Trust me, the block is still up. But I don’t need my gift to tell me they hate us. Look at them.”

I once again glance at the faces in front of us. Their anger and disgust greet me.

“Quiet down,” Chayton says over the roar of the crowd.

I have to hand it to the Alpha; he’s doing a great job keeping the group under control. I'm sure if he weren't mated to my best friend, he would have sent me away immediately.

“Everyone can’t speak at once. This woman and child have come to us for sanctuary.”

“They are no woman and child,” someone shouts from the back. “Call them what they are, savage vampires.”

That gets the crowd going again. Marley and I are standing at the front of the meeting hall alongside Chayton, Liz, Miko, and a big burly man that looks as if he wants to slaughter me with his bare hands. He hasn’t said much, but the fact that he’s up here with Chayton lets me know he’s important. Must be his Beta.

“Guys, Michaela isn’t a savage,” Liz tries her hands at getting the crowd under control. “She’s my best friend. I’ve known her since I was fifteen. She has never hurt anyone.”

Liz turns to me with a smile. I keep my face neutral.

“Luna, you do not understand,” a woman with tan skin says from the crowd. “Vampires are not capable of being friends. They are vile, deceitful, creatures that only know destruction. Just because you haven’t seen her hurt anyone doesn’t mean she hasn’t.”

I can’t really argue with her on that one. Look, if I had any other place to go, I wouldn’t be here. But with Markis back, it is the only place I can be. I’m not leaving, well, not without a few things in tow.

“I understand your anger, Phaedra,” Liz says in a placating tone. “But I’m telling you, Michaela isn’t like that. I’m sure not all vampires are the same, just like not all werewolves are. If I judged all of you by the acts of Vilkas and Kamyra then I wouldn’t be here with you.”

This comment seemed to have an impact. I can almost see the consideration of her words cross their faces. It didn’t surprise me that Liz ended up being mated to an alpha. She was always fit to lead. She’s in her element amongst these wolves and it’s obvious they adore and respect her. If she can make a room full of werewolves consider allowing me to stay, then she has way more pull than I thought she did.

“Why do they need to stay?” The burly Beta asks. His golden eyes spitting fire out at me. “What would make a vampire seek refuge with wolves?”

So, big guy is smart. Duly noted. His question is the most important question to ask. Why would I want to stay with these smelly beasts? They had no idea.

“My sister is being forced to…”

“I did not ask you to speak,” the Beta growls at me, cutting off my perfect lie.

I bite down on the inside of my cheek to keep from cursing him out.

“Then how else are you to get the answers you seek?” I question calmly.

“Her sister is being forced to marry a very cruel man. She needs to hide out until she can figure out a way to get her sister out of the arrangement,” Chayton answers for me. The Beta’s gaze never leaves my face.

“And why is that our problem?” Again, he asks while looking at me, but I’m assuming he again doesn’t want me to speak.

“Marley is only seventeen,” Liz replies. “She’s just a baby. And the man she’s supposed to marry is way older and very cruel. He’s already struck her once.”

That causes the Beta to flinch. I knew when I showed up, I needed a good lie. Something that plays on the heartstrings. Child marriage and abuse are perfect, because the truth is not an option.

“Let’s have a vote,” Chayton finally says. I guess he sees now is the time to take advantage of this moment. “All in favor of housing these two temporarily .” I don’t miss how he eyes me when he says the word temporarily. “Raise your hand.”

Liz’s hand shoots up in the air. Unfortunately, it is the only hand in the air.

“Oh, come on,” Liz whines.

“I’m sorry, baby. There’s too much bad blood between us.” Chayton tries to soothe the rejection.

I don’t panic yet. There is one other option. I’m not really looking forward to it, but it is an option.

“If I may,” a deep voice says from the back of the room. I turn to catch sight of the person speaking. My stomach knots when I see the White Wolf step forward. Well, fuck, I guess I’ll have to go to plan B.

“Stay back. It might get messy,” I push the thought to my sister.

Her eyes widened at my sudden voice in her head.

“I am half vampire,” the White Wolf goes on to say. “Yet, you welcomed me with open arms. So was my mate, who is a witch.”

“That is different,” someone shouts. “You are half wolf and your mate’s people did not nearly decimate our kind in a fifty-year war.”

No, instead they sat on their asses and watched. But I guess that’s okay.

“That is true, but if you can look past my vampire blood, then surely you can look past this woman and child’s.”

I stare back at Alarick, feeling completely confused. If no one else knew who I was, he does. He even has reason to dislike me. Yet here he is defending me. Why? I wasn’t na?ve enough to think it was because he wanted to be my friend.

His pale eyes never leave my light brown. I don’t need to sift through his mind in order to tell me he isn’t doing this for me. The White Wolf is here for a reason and for whatever it is, he wants me on his side. He is the only one here that knows my capabilities. He knows I can’t possibly be here to cause harm. If I were, half of them would all be dead by now.

“Maybe your mate can tell us whether we can trust her?” Chayton suggests.

I want to roll my eyes, but I refrain.

“I don’t think that’s necessary,” I finally say.

“If you want to stay in this pack, you will let the witch tell us if you are trustworthy.”

Instead of telling the Alpha to fuck off like I want, I keep quiet. Alarick approaches me with his mate by his side. I can see the warning in his eyes. He doesn’t want me to hurt her. I smirk at him.

The witch approaches me slowly. Her dark eyes scanning over me. I can feel her trying to probe inside my head. I would laugh at her gentle attempt if I wasn’t trying to be taken as a damsel in distress.

She holds out a hand toward me. “May I touch you?” she asks softly.

I nod. She places her hand on my arm. Her scan of my thoughts feels like feathers rubbing over my skin. A complete contrast to my ex. When you’ve had the greatest mind sifter ever rummage through your thoughts, anyone else feels like a walk in the park. I put up simple blocks on things she doesn’t need to know. In my head, I envision my sister and her supposed groom. I even show her a glimpse of the conversation I had with my father. I give her everything she needs to believe my story is true.

Many people think it’s hard to confuse a mind reader. It isn’t, it just takes practice. I had to give her something to focus on while I did my own digging.

I feel her nudge at my wall again. Her sad attempt to break through tickles my thoughts.

“What are you protecting so strongly?” the witch asks in my head.

“Everyone,” I reply honestly. “ Now, tell me, have you told your mate your secret, witch?”

I can hear her gasp in my head, and she immediately pulls away. She lets go of my hand and stares back at me. She’s trying to figure out how I was able to read her thoughts.

“How did you do that?” she asks out loud.

“You aren’t the only one with gifts, witch. But don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.” I reply inside her head.

She continues to watch me skeptically. Finally, she turns to Chayton. “She means you no harm. She is safe to stay.”

“See,” Liz says. “You can all relax. She’s safe.”

Even with the witch vouching for me, I don’t think it changes anyone’s mind.

“Alright,” Chayton says to me after a long pause. “You can stay. But you will not feed on my wolves.”

Marley snorts beside me. I cut my eyes to her to keep her quiet.

“I can assure you that will not be a problem.” I don’t explain to them they smell like wet dog and their blood taste like day old hot dog water. Feeding off a werewolf is the absolute last resort.

“Good. You will also not feed off the townspeople. They are protected by me. If you must eat, go further out. And if you harm any member of my pack, you have to go. Am I understood?”

I swallow the lump of annoyance in my throat before I respond. “Yes, Alpha.”

He shakes his head. “You are here only for sanctuary. You are not a member of this pack, so no need to call me Alpha. The moment you handle the business you’re running from, you will leave.”

“As you wish, Chayton.”

He narrows his gaze at me before turning back to the crowd. “The vampires will be housed in one of the northeast cabins. Meeting is adjourned.”

The room slowly emptied. I’m assuming no one is going to volunteer to see us to our sleeping quarters. Chayton and the grizzly Beta are huddled together whispering.

Liz comes over to me and wraps her arms around me. I bask in the warmth from her connection. I’ve missed my best friend dearly.

She lets me go and we lean back, staring at each other.

“I’m so happy to have you and Marley here with us. And don’t worry, once everyone gets to know you, they will welcome you with open arms.”

Doubt that, but I didn’t care. I wasn’t here to make friends.

“I’m sure they will,” I lie. “Can you direct us to our cabin? I’m exhausted, and I know Marley could use some sleep.”

“Sure,” Liz says. “Come on, Buddy.” She places a hand on Miko’s head. They both walk ahead of us. We follow them out of the meeting hall.

I get a hot sensation at my back, as if someone is watching me. Turning to find the culprit, I catch gazes with the burly Beta. His golden orbs lock in on mine. We stare at each other for a second before I turn away and walk out of the meeting hall. The Beta can stare all he wants.

The first part of my plan is complete; secure a place away from Markis where I can regroup. Now, I just have to figure out what to do next.