And the Sabres were not likely to allow that to happen.
27
Jessie lay on the bed and stared at the ceiling. She desperately needed sleep and didn’t want to waste a single moment of what Cara was trying to buy for them.
But when had she become so damned confused?
Not that her life had been anything but confusing, as of late. That look she’d shared with Kade had seriously rocked her perspective on things. Because until then, she’d been damned sure that she was falling for Zach. When she’d kissed Zach, fireworks went off on both sides. One thing about kissing an Empath, is that there wasn’t much room left to doubt.
It wasn’t just the look Kade had given her. It was her response. Was it the blood that was doing this? If she were honest, she’d been ogling Kade from the minute he donned her harem pants. Or, rather, just before he did so. She’d written it off as pure lust. The guy was a mountain of muscle and sexy as hell. In a dark-broody-grumpy-kinda way.
Ogling was different from what she’d sensed when their eyes met. It was the first real indication that the interest she had in him was reciprocated. In spades. Which explained Kade’s rage when she’d kissed Zach. She’d assumed it was due to the way they’d emitted their lecherous thoughts across the farm. But that wasn’t it at all.
Kade had been jealous. How long had that been going on?Wait a minute—that day in Cara’s kitchen.They have more in common than they know, she’d said to Jessie. Cara had known, even then, that Kade was interested.
But how could she be considering this? Zach was wonderful. Kind. Brave. His soul spoke to her. Yet he’d shut her down in the kitchen. No response at all when she’d tried to engage.
What was going on?
The spare room door opened, and Laura entered. She sat on her cot. If anything, she was even paler than usual.
“Are you okay?” Jessie asked.
Laura looked up at her. “Yeah. I’m fine.”
“Have you decided to try the blood?”
The other woman shuddered. “No. These guys scare the crap out of me. Neil even offered himself as an alternative. I told him no.”
She turned Neil down? Jessie experienced a surge of anger. “Braden is a hundred times worse than the Sabres,” she objected. “Kade and his guys live by a code of honor.”
Laura lifted her chin. “Braden loves me.”
Frigging hell.Ice traveled up Jessie’s spine as she stared at her. “Braden is using you.” She fought to stay calm.
“No!” Laura’s eyes blazed. “He chose me to be his alpha female. I will run the pack with him by my side.”
How could she make the woman see the truth? “If that were true, why did he bite three women?” she pointed out. “And he’s been in my dreams, too.”
Laura’s dark eyes were like lasers boring into Jessie. “He said he’s going to give you and the other woman to the pack,” she hissed. “I am the true alpha.”
Jessie’s heart raced. Give them to the pack?No.Braden was filling her head with lies. “Braden is hedging his bets,” Jessie said. “I wouldn’t believe anything that bastard tells you.”
Laura lashed out at her. “And yet, you believe Kade. They are all monsters. And Braden says the Sabres won’t stop until all the Dires are dead.”
Well, that was sort of true. Not all the Dires, but Braden’s crew, anyway. Kade’s comments about protecting the Cryptid secret revolved through her brain. Surely what she’d glimpsed in him meant he cared about more than just his duty?
“We need our sleep to stay strong.” Jessie rubbed her arms. “We are in the best place possible. Everyone is here to help us get through this.”
“Or to get in our way. I’d rather be anywhere but here.” Her mouth straightened. “I think the Sabres should let us go.”
Jessie’s heart accelerated. Laura was talking about running.Dammit, that would not be good. Would the woman believe her if Jessie told her about the other realms? That even passing through gateways couldn’t stop Braden.
But when it came right down to it, she only had Cara’s word that fleeing wouldn’t work. Laura already looked at Jessie as if she were the crazy one. No way she would believe any of it. “We can’t run away from this. Wewillbecome Weres when the full moon comes. Nothing is going to change that.”
Laura stared at her. The woman really thought she’d be able to run away and do her own thing. Which Jessie now suspected might involve Braden.
Kade and Neil had been right. She should tell Kade about Laura. What would he do if she did? Her stomach clenched.
