“Because that’s what your alpha said,” Ava tells her.
Alicia looks at Bryce, but he just waits patiently for her, obviously siding with his mate. “She has no right to be here, especially not for these meetings,” she continues.
“She has every right,” Ava snaps. “She risked everything to get me out of there, let alone the baby. And if that weren’t enough, she didn’t ask for this. Did you miss the part where she said the vampires took her and turned her?”
“No, I didn’t miss that part, Ava,” Alicia says, leaning forward with her hands on the table. “I heard and can see exactly what she is, a threat to everyone in this pack.”
“And I’m telling you she’s not,” Ava retorted.
I turn to Alicia. “It’s your turn.”
“Nobody asked you, Vamp,” Alicia spits out. I smirk at her, knowing we’re getting to her. She gives me a look of disgust before turning back to Ava. “Too bad you’re mated to the alpha.”
“Alicia,” Bryce says in a warning voice at the same time, Ava says, “Why?”
“Because we can’t settle this the way other pack members would.”
“And how’s that?” Ava asks.
“In the ring.”
“You sure about that?” Ava asks.
I can feel the alpha’s power rising. “I can,” I say, looking Alicia in the eye.
“You can what, Vamp?”
I don’t look away from her. “I can meet you in the ring.”
Alicia smirks, and it makes my blood boil. “You know how to fight more than just grabbing someone and draining them?”
“I only drain the people I don’t like,” I say in my most relaxed voice. I’ve never drained a person in my life. I’ve never even drunk blood from anything that wasn’t a plastic bag, but she doesn’t need to know that.
Alicia smiles and leans forward. “Bring it, Vamp.”
“When and where?”
“Tomorrow night in the ring outside.” She stands and shoves her chair in and grins widely at me. “It’s going to be so fun. Such a good bonding moment.” She flits out the door, closing it behind her.
“I don’t like her,” Ava says once the door is closed. “Why is she on your team again?”
“She wasn’t always this difficult to work with,” Bryce says with a pinched expression. Ava raises an eyebrow at him. “And we need a female for certain missions when we’re finding people. She works well with the team, or at least she did.” She turns on me next. “And why did you volunteer to fight her? First of all, I totally could have. I’ve trained.” But even as she says the words, her face shows exactly how she feels about that.
“Don’t worry about it.” I face Bryce. “What did you need me for?”
He gives me a thoughtful look and shakes his head. “Nothing that can’t wait.”
I slide my chair back and stand to my feet. “It will be fine.” She looks up at me with concern all over her face. I don’t give her a chance to worry. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I walk towards the door, not surprised to see Hunter standing near the door. I've known he was there the entire time. He doesn’t say a word as I pass him and walk out into the hallway. He doesn’t say a word as we head to the car, and I don’t either. My mind is clipping along at a fast pace, thinking througheverything from the meeting. “Do you know how to fight?” Hunter breaks the silence.
“Yes.”
“You trained?”
I stare out the window. “The vampires made sure I could protect myself.”
Neither of us say anything after that. When we get back to his place, I head inside, lost in thought. I don’t make it far before a hand snags my elbow. The shock of the touch makes me yank my arm away. Hunter drops his arm and nods his head towards the door to the basement. “What?” I ask, confused.
