They were both breathing hard when she pulled her fangs from his throat. She nursed the area she’d bitten, taking her time, lapping at the punctures. A part of him resented his ability to heal. In his dreams, her ministrations went on forever. If he’d been human, she’d have needed more time to close the wounds.

As it was, she stopped after only seconds.

He heard a car door slam, and within seconds Nathan burst through the door. Trey turned his head, meeting the Beta’s damning look. “I know you’re pissed, but you’re going to have to get over yourself. The sooner we get to safety, the sooner we can find Leigh.”

Nathan heaved the clothing and boots in his hands to the floor. “Then I suggest you put your clothes on.”

Trey almost moved away from Sadie—almost. Then he recalled how he’d trapped her before, using his touch to prevent her from phasing away. The moment she’d broken free, standing several feet away, she’d vanished without a trace. He couldn’t trust her not to run, and he wasn’t sure what was going through her head. Even if she had to come to him for blood to survive, he needed her help if he was going to assist Nathan. The Beta wouldn’t let this go. He’d do whatever it took to find Leigh, claim her and keep her by his side. The man’s patience only went so far.

“Take her,” he instructed Nathan, moving Sadie from the wall, hating the confusion that swept over her face. “Don’t let her go.”

“What?” Sadie finally spoke, sounding clearheaded.

Trey forced her into Nathan’s arms. “I mean it.” He guided one of Nathan’s hands to Sadie’s waist and then his other to her throat. “Don’t let go. No matter what she does.”

“What do you think you’re doing?” She struggled, fighting for her freedom. The smell of her anger permeated the air. “How could you? After what just happened between us? You selfish son of a bitch!”

Guilt did come, but Trey pushed it aside. “We’re going to Diskant for assistance,” he said as he retrieved the clothing and footwear and started to dress. “He’s got security posted around his compound. Aldon’s not stupid enough to fuck with an Omega. He might be able to jump on a shifter, but he can’t surprise the only one of us who can change at will.”

“So you’re going to tell the pack?”

Trey stopped buttoning his jeans, peering at Sadie across the distance.

He heard the desperation—the fucking hope—in her voice.

Emotions he’d caused by his callous treatment of her.

Was he going to tell the pack? Eventually.

But he had to be sure he was fully prepared for the aftermath. Some serious shit could very likely go down. Since the Shepherd attacks, everyone remained on edge. He didn’t have the balls to look her in the eye and say that, so he bent at the waist and tugged on his boots.

“I have to talk to Diskant first. We’ll have to discuss how we want to handle the issue.”

“The issue. Of course.” There it was again, that god-awful deflation in her tone. He resented the hell out of it, even if he understood. She didn’t trust him, not one bit. And he didn’t blame her. “Well then,” she continued, “I’m sure you understand I have issues with my coven to address. You need to let me go. I have to tell them what’s happened.”

“Don’t take this the wrong way, baby, but if the coven gave a shit, Leigh wouldn’t have had to come to us for help.” Nathan quickly tied his boots and stood. “I got the impression she was afraid to.” Able to meet her gaze, steeling himself for the hatred he expected to see from her, he was surprised to see a flicker of remorse in her eyes. “Do you think they’ll help you or her?” he queried gently. “Do you think they’re more capable of protecting your friend than we are?”

“Diskant Black will never agree to help Leigh or me.” She’d stopped fighting Nathan, passive in the man’s hold. “I’m the enemy, remember?”

“You saved his mate’s life,” Nathan reminded her. It was an important detail. “Ava means more to him than anything. Without you, he’d have lost her. He owes you, and he knows it. His pride won’t allow him to turn you away.”

“If you say so.” She lifted her arms in mock surrender. “You don’t have to hold me. I’m not going anywhere. We have the same agenda.”

“If you say so,” he chimed, throwing her words back at her.

Her glare of sheer disdain wounded him more than a solid punch in the gut ever could have. Fuck it to shit. He’d meant to be playful, not push her buttons. He approached her, strides steady. Once he reached her, he wrapped his fingers around her wrist. He knew it pissed her off when Nathan let her go and Trey pulled her into his arms, but fuck if he cared. She was here, in his world, where she belonged.

He wasn’t letting her go.