Page 28 of These Wicked Desires

“What can be done to stop that?” she asks quietly looking up at him.

Sterling’s blue eyes soften as he stares at her. “Well, thanks to Kai’s dad and his offer of assistance, I think we finally have everything in place.”

Ellis stiffens, face draining of color. “What does that mean?” Her voice trembles slightly, and her fingers shake in her lap. I can sense her fear. It washes over me in waves.

“It means I’m ready to challenge Noah.”

She swallows and presses her hands to her stomach. “So, what’s going to happen?”

“Well, I’ll officially send Noah a challenge, and he’ll pick a date and time. The pack will gather to watch and bear witness to the outcome.”

Ellis’s shoulders rise on a sharp breath. “And the outcome?”

Sterling hesitates. Even though she already knows what the options are, hearing them is going to be hard on her. He scans her face, likely debating what to say. But in the end, he tells her the truth. “Our wolves will fight. Only one of us will survive. Whoever that is will be alpha.”

My heart pounds erratically in my chest, matching Ellis’s, and I realize it’s not just everyone else's emotions I’m sensing. It’s mine as well. We’re all nervous about this challenge. Sterling is my brother. He’s been my family for as long as I can remember. The three of us—Cade, Sterling, and I—are a pack. And now Ellis is part of that pack as well. The chance of losing him hasn’t really hit until now.

“Okay,” she says shakily. Her amber eyes glimmer, most likely fighting back tears. “When are you going to challenge him?”

“I’m going to send the challenge tomorrow.”

She closes her eyes and buries her face into his chest. He holds her tightly and looks over at us. I don’t need to read him to know he’s feeling completely helpless right now.

“Ellis,” Cade says quietly. He waits for her to look at him. “I’m assuming you’re going to watch the fight?”

She nods, wiping tears from her cheeks.

“Then we need to make sure you’re protected. It will be crowded and chaotic, and it will be too good of an opportunity for someone to try and snag you.”

“Cole and I have already talked about that,” Sterling says. “Along with you two, Cole and Drew will guard her. I’ve even contemplated calling Connor and asking him.”

“I think we should,” I say. “I’m not risking anything. Especially because your focus needs to stay on Noah and not Ellis’s safety. Having Connor in addition to all of us will help.”

“Are there any vamps you would trust her with?” Cade asks, turning to me.

I shake my head. “No. But I think the five of us should be able to handle it.”

“My mom will be there too. I know she’s not as tough as you guys, but in her wolf form, she’ll do anything to protect those she cares about.” Sterling tucks Ellis’s head against his shoulder. “And she cares a lot about Ellis.”

“I still don’t like it,” Cade mutters. “It’s too risky.”

Ellis sits up, her eyes wide. “I’m not staying behind,” she says vehemently.

“I would never suggest you do, love. I’m just saying I don’t like it.”

“I don’t like any of it,” she replies, voice thick with emotion.

Tension and regret flow freely from Sterling, and I know he’s hating himself for putting Ellis in this situation. I hop off the couch and kneel in front of her, grasping her hands. They are even colder than mine, which is a first.

“Hey. Don’t forget that Sterling is strong. And with your bond he’s even stronger. He has so much more to fight for. So much more of a reason to win. Noah is just power hungry. He wants to win for all the wrong reasons.” Ellis clings to my words, some of her anxiety easing. “Sterling is fighting for you. For his family. For his pack. In the end, that will go so much further.” Her hands in mine have stopped shaking. “Have faith in Sterling, baby girl.” I give her a crooked grin, flashing a bit of fang. “Besides. You got to see me in action and now know how much of a badass I am. It’s only fair Sterling gets a chance to show off his badassery.”

“I don’t think that's a word,” she mumbles, trying to fight a smile.

I shrug. “Says who?”

She looks at me for a moment before turning to Sterling. “It’s not that I don’t have faith in your abilities.”

“I know, kitten.” He kisses her forehead, his icy blue eyes melting for her.

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