“You think I don’t know that? Every time I’m around her, I want to strangle her.”

I laugh again. Cal’s shoulders rise with a deep, disgruntled breath.

“Sorry. It’s just…I needed this.”

He glares at me. “I am glad my frustrations amuse you. Now will you do it?”

“I mean…yeah. I’ll talk it through with her. When?”

“I can handle waiting until after your Pledge.”

“I appreciate that. There’s a lot going on.”

“I’ve noticed.”

“You’ll be at the Pledge tomorrow? On our side?”

“You help me with Sam, you’ll get anything you need from me.”

“All right. You have my word on that. And thank you for telling me. Really.” I come around the leather chairs. “You’ve actually been really kind to me and I won’t forget that.”

He softens. I think the Alpha might have a gooey center. If he and Sam can find even ground, she might be the most spoiled girl in all of Midnight by the end of the year.

“I need to get back to the house,” Cal says. “But please, don’t say anything to Sam before I’m ready. I need to prepare for the firestorm. Promise me that.”

“I promise.”

He gives me a nod and starts for the door. “And Jessie?” He looks at me over his shoulder. “My psychic was vague on most of the particulars about tomorrow, but one thing was sure—your sister will die one way or another. At least as a vampire, she’ll come back.”

When the Alpha is gone, I collapse back into one of the chairs.

My head is spinning.

My sister might become a vampire. My best friend is the fated mate of the Alpha.

Just a regular Monday night now.

Episode 45

For Better or For Worse

The Alpha of the Midnight Pack shows himself out of Duval House so I go in search of Bran as I promised I would. When I don’t find him, I head back to the Anneliese a little annoyed with how big Duval House is and the fact that I still don’t feel like I belong here.

Bran finds me just before I reach the courtyard.

“Did the Alpha tell you his favor?” he asks.

“Yes, but it’s a secret,” I say, pushing the boundaries because now I know what it’ll get me.

“Mouse.” His gaze turns dark.

“Oh, fine.” I go through the French doors to the open courtyard where crickets are chirping in the garden. Low lights send a soft glow over the walkway. “It was about his fated mate.”

Bran is in front of me in a second and the expression that comes over his face is filled with horror. “I swear to fucking god, if you say you’re his fated mate, I will tear off his cock and balls and serve them to him on a fucking dish.”

“Bran!”

“I’m fucking serious, Mouse.”