I close my eyes for a brief moment. “You’re going to be impossible, aren’t you?” He steps close, and I go still.
“Morning.” I jump at the voice and take a step back. Hunter moves out of the way, and Ava eyes the two of us.
“Morning, Ava.” I turn my complete focus on her. “I’m sorry for being a jerk last night.”
“No, it wasn’t you. I...you were right. I keep trying to make you something you’re not, and that’s on me. Not you.”
I swallow. “I needed blood last night.” It’s painful saying those words.
“What?” Ava asks in confusion.
“I was reaching burnout by the end of the fight. Between the adrenaline and the fight, I was nearing burnout. I needed blood. That’s why Hunter got me out of there. I was weak and needed help.” I hate admitting that, but it’s worth it for her to understand. “I wasn’t blowing you or any of the other girls off.”
“I’m so sorry, Sherese. I had no idea.”
“How could you? I never told you. Vampires are pretty strong unless they go too long without blood. It’s the equivalent of needing a drink with electrolytes after a hard workout. We don’t exactly tell people that because they can use it against us.”
“I get it,” Ava says softly. “I’m really sorry.”
“Me too.”
And then she shocks me by hugging me. Ava’s not usually a hugger, and I’m obviously not. I stiffen when her arms wraparound me. The hug is over before I get a chance to respond, and she steps away. “Anything else I need to know, as your friend?”
“No. I think that’s it.”
“Good. All right. Let’s not do that again. Too much emotion for me.”
I nod. “Agreed. Where’s Bryce?”
“He’s in a meeting with Garrett and his crew. He said if they get done at a good time, we can try to leave today.”
“That sounds good,” I admit.
“Yeah, doesn’t it? It’s been good being here and seeing everybody, but I’m ready to get back home.”
She sits and leans forward. I frown and walk over to her. “You good?”
“Yeah, just trying not to throw up.” She looks up and grimaces. “Maybe you could move your blood bag out of sight.”
“Sorry.” I pocket it quickly. “You know, you were pretty hard on me, but I’m not the only one withholding. Somehow you failed to mention you were pregnant.”
“Surprise,” she says weakly. “We weren’t planning on telling everybody yet, but I’ve been so sick. It’s kind of obvious.”
“I’m really happy for you and Bryce.”
She manages a smile and lies down. “Thank you. You know, the one thing nobody told me was how stinking tired you are all the time in the beginning.” I watch her for a moment and then look over at Hunter with wide eyes.
Is she already asleep?I mouth to him. He looks back at her and nods. I snag a blanket from the back of the couch and put it over her, and then head back to my room. After drinking my bag, I toss it and then kill time playing games on my phone. I may be playing the game, but my mind is a million miles away. I’m trying to figure out how to get back to the vampires, without taking Hunter with me. I know I’m going to have to be careful; he seems to see and hear everything. Not much gets past him. IfI’m going to do this, I’ll have to do it carefully. I really don’t think they’ll chance showing up here again. My best shot is that they show up in Arizona again, and when they do, I’ll go with them. All I have to do is figure out a way for the wolves to get to Ajax, so Emma and her family will be safe. And then I can escape from the vamps forever.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Sherese
I carry my bag back to Hunter’s spare room, thankful to finally be back. We ended up staying two more days with the Northwoods Pack. The entire time, Bryce and, eventually, Hunter and Leo were in meetings. I guess since Wyatt and Maverick were there too, they went all in. I even got pulled into one of the meetings regarding getting Ajax to them. It sounds like they want to raze the entire facility to the ground. It’s not surprising, honestly. I don’t think it will be that easy, especially now that the vamps have super soldiers they’re creating, but they’ll have to figure it out. My sole job is to get in, get information, and get Ajax to them. I also need to try to destroy the vials of Ava’s blood that they still have. Oh, and not get found out in the meantime. I shudder to think what would happen to me if they got wind that I was double-crossing them. They obviously can’t kill me, but some things are worse than death.
“Sherese.” I turn to Hunter, who’s standing just outside my room. “I’ve got to get to work. You need anything?”
“I’m good. Thanks.”
