“I see. We’ll need them to give a statement. The humans want it to be done live,” Natalia speaks with annoyance thick in her tone. “I’m so glad they rightfully belong to you. It would’ve been a shame to start off on such poor terms.”
A nervousness pricks at my skin and the thinly veiled admission of violence brings an anger out of me, one that seems intensified. Every emotion seems to swing back and forth like a wild pendulum.
“We have an issue that needs to be attended to. Also, as you know, we’ve just met our mates and the claiming is only two days away. So the sooner we can get this over with, the better.”
“Eager to throw us out, old friend?” Alec smiles with a light dancing in his eyes.
“I’d like to tend to my mate’s needs. I’d throw out my mother if she were still alive.” Caleb’s humorous response gains a laugh from Alec and a huff of humor from Lev. Dom is still obviously on edge, but then again, his hard glare and scowl never seem to leave him.
“We’ve all had a long night getting acquainted with our mates, and familiarizing them with their new lives. We’d like to continue getting them settled as soon as possible.”
“Of course. Where would you like to set up?” Devin stands. He looks down at me, still seated and offers me his hand. I place my small hand in his, taking his lead and having faith that all is well. A trace of a smile graces his lips for just a moment. The rest of the pack follows suit as he leads us to a large front room. A single pane of glass lines the side wall overlooking a forest. The view is spectacular and the sight of it reminds me that I haven’t even had a tour of my new home.
I barely know anything at all.
I search the large room for Lizzie to gauge her reaction and find her small frame molded to Caleb’s body. Her shoulders are hunched forward and the familiar smile I’m accustomed to is nowhere to be found. She looks utterly lost. My heart shatters at the sight of her. My bubbly, spirited best friend is shadowed by a dark cloud.
I hate this. I hate how all of this happened. Somehow, it feels as if it’s my fault. Every bit of it.
“Lizzie—” I start to say as I take a step forward to go to her side, but Devin’s grip tightens, halting my movement. He leans down to whisper in my ear.
“Not now.” I grit my teeth and prepare to shove him away, but Lizzie catches my eyes and smiles at me. It’s not a weak smile, but not quite a happy smile either.
She mouths, “I’m all right.” I tilt my head and she adds, “I promise,” with a brighter smile that reaches her eyes. My heart squeezes in my chest. I haven’t had a single moment alone with her yet. She was already sitting with Dom and Caleb when I came into the kitchen with Devin. I didn’t get to say a damn word to her before Veronica arrived.
“As soon as we’re done, you can have some alone time, all right?” Devin whispers, tickling my ear.
Staring straight into his stunning silver gaze, I tell him, “I swear to God I’ll kill you if you can read my mind.”
His low chuckle makes me smile. It doesn’t go unnoticed that the three members of the Authority watch every interaction like hawks.
There are three dark gray sofas in the room. One long, high-back sofa serves as a focal point, facing a large brick fireplace on the back wall. The other two are smaller and on either side of the first, loosely forming a U. Remy sets up a camera and microphone in front of the fireplace and positions them toward the large sofa.
“This is already going better than expected,” Remy comments offhandedly as he does.
“Have a seat.” Alec motions toward the longer sofa and I sit close to the middle while catching Lizzie’s eyes so she’ll know to sit next to me. She follows my lead and takes my hand in a firm grasp as she gets comfortable. Devin sits to my left and places a firm hand on my thigh.
“Maybe it’s best if only one of you accompanies your mate. Perhaps Caleb?” Natalia purrs as Caleb and Dom both prepare to sit next to Lizzie. The two of them share a look for a moment and then Dom nods, giving Lizzie a small kiss before stalking to a smaller sofa.
“Your statements will need to be genuine. You cannot mention anything about being mates.” Lizzie nods as Alec gives his instructions.
“What exactly can we and can’t we—” I start to ask, but the bitch in the corner interrupts me.
“Do you think you could control your mate, Devin?” Natalia asks with a devilish smirk.
“He doesn’t need to control me,” I practically snarl.
“She’ll be fine.” His large hand finds mine, but I refuse to take it. I didn’t ask for this. It’s not right and perhaps I am bitter I’ve been lied to my entire life before being plucked from my existence and thrown into a world with entirely new rules. Even worse, I’m given no grace in that fact.
“I don’t believe it.” The vampire turns away dismissively and faces Remy. “She’s going to ruin everything. It can’t be live.”
Remy responds as though we aren’t in the room. “We should just give them back; it’s not worth the risk.”
“There’s no risk. Grace will follow my lead.”
“I don’t believe you. It’s obvious you have no control over her.” Remy dips his chin toward Devin’s hand on my thigh and adds, “She can’t even follow simple commands.”
“I listen to my mate.” My nostrils flare slightly as I try to get a grip on my composure. I hate that this prick is getting to me.
“I want to see you bow to him then.” A smug smile crosses his face and I have an intense urge to smack it off.
“My mate is only concerned with what pleases me.” Power and anger radiate from Devin. Remy noticeably cowers and Natalia narrows her eyes at him, obviously displeased by his reaction to my mate’s harsh tone.
Devin’s dominance suffocates the room and it’s a heady feeling. Devin’s silver eyes pierce mine. His aggravation lingers in his words, but I know it’s not intended for me. “Do you think it would please me to have you bow to me simply because he,” he sneers the word, “wants you to?”
Pride flows through me as I relax my shoulders and lean into him to stare into his gaze. “I think it would please you if I sucked your dick in front of them.” I purr with a flirtatious smile as my hand gently strokes his inner thigh. I must still be in heat because the idea turns me on. I hadn’t intended for the comment to be taken seriously, but as I picture myself on my knees between his legs, taking his cock into my mouth in front of everyone to see, a warmth flutters in my lower belly. So much so that I almost drop to my knees in front of him. My aching core clenches in need as I lick my lips.
“These are the mates that gave you so much trouble? A broken wolf and a bitch in heat?” Natalia’s words break the haze of lust clouding my judgment. Alec looks between his two companions with obvious revulsion.
Dom snarls and Caleb’s smile slips as he glares at Natalia.
“Enough!” Alec reprimands his colleagues.
My heart hurts for Lizzie. Broken wolf. She blows off the comment with the joyful laugh she’s known for, all while shrugging and rolling her eyes. I know it hurts her, though. I can see it in her expression.
“Carol will be here in five. Then we’ll get this press conference done and over with.” Alec walks to the window to study the forest with a stern look on his face. I don’t understand how he’s aligned with the two of these pricks. I’m also not sure who he is. Or what he is.