Aline Hunter - Enemy Mine

If it wasn’t for Ava, Mary would have collapsed. Emory rushed for his mate, placed his arm around her waist and prepared to take her downstairs when Mary stopped him. She reached out, her arm shaking.

“Dara,” she murmured. “You made it home.”

Dara started crying and grasped Mary’s hand. Emory let Mary go and the women wrapped their arms around each other, crying in heart-wrenching sobs. It was then that Emory realized the identity of the girl.

The shifter Mary saved when she’d left hell behind. The woman Mary refused to kill as a sacrifice to prove herself to her family.

The females had been through hell and survived it, forming a connection only the two of them could fully understand. And apparently the women had made strong impressions on each other. A few of the pack grumbled disapprovingly, continuing to glare hatefully at Mary, and the tiger Alpha stepped forward.

“Heed me,” the man said, his voice menacing, the word vibrating as his vocal cords started to change. “My name is Harrison Garner, and Mary Shepherd is under the protection of my pride. She bound herself to us when she saved my daughter’s life. If you don’t want her here, make your intentions clear. She is welcome in our home. We’ll gladly take her and leave.”

More chaos came from the pack, as well as the members of the pride who started to surround Mary protectively. Dara and Mary separated, the male with Dara pulled her behind him and sent her to the group at his back and Emory rushed to his female’s side. To Emory’s shock, Kinsley had vanished into thin air. Kinsley never left when he was needed. Why did he ditch the pack when they needed his guidance most?

“Silence!” Trey thundered, his voice deep as he turned on his pack. “Mary Shepherd is mated to my brother. That makes her my sister-in-law. Your Alpha’s sister-in-law.” Trey didn’t have to yell any longer, his presence and newfound connection with the pack shut them all up. “If any of you have a problem with that, pack your shit and leave my city. A person doesn’t choose their blood but they do choose their family. Mary has chosen her family—our family.” Trey spun around and looked at Mary, glowing eyes intense. “Isn’t that right?”

Mary’s eyes widened and she looked around the room. Her fear returned, the stench of it stinking up the entire area around them. “I… I…”

“Welcome her,” Trey commanded softly. “Show her the respect she’s due. She saved a shifter girl she didn’t know and could have died for it. She ran from her family because she isn’t like them. Don’t judge her for what she hasn’t done. If you do you’re no better than those she left behind.”

The threat of violence lingered in the air, a combination of the anger of the feline shifters and the animosity of the wolves in the room. Emory prepared to attack anyone who came at Mary, his muscles tense, the beat of his heart drumming in his ears. The females of the pack came first, their shoulders stiff, revealing they weren’t entirely happy about the situation but they weren’t going to challenge their Alpha over it. One by one they greeted Mary, welcomed her to the pack and stepped aside.

Diskant took the lead when it came to the men, only he didn’t nod at Mary and welcome her. The Omega brought her into his arms and hugged her. Bending low, he whispered something in her ear. Whatever it was made Mary’s lips curve into a small smile. Then Diskant moved away and allowed the other members of the pack to greet her properly. The men weren’t as harsh, giving her warm smiles. By the time they were finished, the pride Alpha—Harrison—seemed appeased and Mary had stopped trembling.

“With that out of the way, I’m asking if any of you want to challenge my position in the pack,” Trey announced, bringing everyone’s full attention to him. “Changes have to take place, so I need to know if you’re going to listen to me or give me shit. If you want a shot at the crown, say so now. I won’t tolerate any bitchiness later.”

Emory glanced around. No one moved, watching Trey closely. Then they inched their heads to the side, revealing their necks, a sign of submission and respect. Trey didn’t smile or nod, waiting until everyone had the opportunity to speak their piece.

“I’m backing Diskant’s original request,” Trey said. “Those of you who live away from the pack inside the city need to start house hunting. Those of you who live in the Five Boroughs need to tighten security. The Shepherds we’ve encountered aren’t going to stop. We are safe when we are united. We’re going to have to organize a security detail as soon as possible.”

He glanced at Diskant and waited for the Omega’s nod before he continued, “We received word early this morning that the attacks on the Shepherd compounds we located were moderately successful. Over a dozen locations were destroyed. Many managed to flee but our enemies have been dealt a devastating blow. They’ll need time to recover their losses and plan. During that time I want us to start doing the same. I expect all of you to work together to coordinate a guard rotation in your area. For those of you who feel the danger is too high, I’ll make calls to packs that interest you and see if they have room.”

Trey stood taller, looking at everyone around him. “I’m not going to lie. Staying here will put you and those you love in danger. It’s not a safe time to be a shifter. No one will judge you if you decide to leave. All we can do is brace ourselves.” Trey glanced at Diskant. “This isn’t a job for one man, it’s a pack effort. All in or all out. It’s your choice.”

“I’m in,” Diskant replied with a trace of humor.

“So am I,” Nathan said and stepped in beside Trey.

Each of the pack called out their support, although Emory noticed a few slip out the door to the garage, including the man with a mate and child who’d questioned Diskant earlier. Most of them were males who’d brought their mates and children along. He didn’t blame them for wanting to go, for needing to protect their families. And Trey was right, no one would hold it against them.

Emory leaned over and whispered in Mary’s ear, “What’s it going to be, sweetheart?”

She lifted he head, frowning as their eyes met. “You’re letting me make the decision?”

“Ava wants you to be the godmother of her child. Diskant wants you to be there to support his mate. And I want you in whatever way I can have you.” He ran his fingers down her arm until he came to her hand. Twining their fingers together, he murmured, “You’ve had people telling you what to do all your life. I won’t do the same. If you want me—if you want this —then it has to be your decision.”

She brought her bottom lip between her teeth and bowed her head. He knew she was thinking things over, trying to decide. It couldn’t be easy, not with everything she’d been through. But if they wanted a real chance together, they had to start with a clean slate.

No hate. No remorse. No fear.

Mary let him go and took a hesitant step forward. The pack went quiet, watching her, waiting to hear what she had to say. Even though he’d whispered in Mary’s ear, Emory knew everyone had listened in, wanting to know what he’d said to his mate. Now they were eager for her reaction. Would she run? Would she stay? Or would she shock the shit out of the entire room by giving them the middle finger they deserved for their earlier treatment?

He watched Mary square her shoulders as her head lifted. Although he couldn’t see her face, the way Diskant grinned told him she wasn’t backing down from the pack.

“We’re staying too. If you don’t like me, that’s your problem. I’ve dealt with worse.”

She turned and extended her hand, waiting for him to take her offering, to accept that she had made her choice. Emory grasped her fingers and moved in close to yank her to his chest. He knew he was smiling like an idiot, the exuberance he experienced completely overwhelming. With a laugh, he met the shocked gazes of his pack mates.