Page 37 of Claimed By Blood

“You’re one of us too,” he murmurs to me. “So wipe that doubt off your face.”

I glance at Gideon, but the beta turns my face away from the alpha using his gentle grip on my chin.

“Who do you think decides on pack membership, princess?”

I shrug, looking back at Gideon.

Vane snorts. “It’s not the alpha—”

“Because they’d do an awful job,” Finn finishes, and I turn towards him, incredulous. “Gid would never let any outsiders in if it was up to him.”

“It’s you?” My brows disappear into my hairline.

“The omega is the heart of the pack,” Silas explains. “They get the final say, because their nature won’t abandon those they’ve formed a connection with.”

“We get clingier than a bad ex,” Finn jokes, but there’s an undercurrent of vulnerability there. One I sense he’s trying desperately to hide.

“You’ve bonded Finn.” Vane ignores both of them. “That means you’re here to stay. No alpha would get in the way of that.”

“Although the betas certainly plan to take advantage,” Silas pipes up.

I glance at him, and then at Vane, expecting the older brother to say something.

Only when I meet his gaze again, his eyes aresmouldering. There’s a scorching heat lurking beneath those hazel brown eyes that makes my pussy clench and my chest tighten in anticipation.

For a second, I feel more like prey than I ever have.

Whatever questions I had about Vane’s interest are answered by that one look.

He wants me.

“But I betrayed the pack,” I whisper. “At the gala.”

“You didn’t betray them any more than I did,” Draven grumbles. “We just went off script a bit.”

“Yes, care to explainthat?” Gideon asks. “We had a plan, and not once do I recall us discussing Frost being handed over.”

There’s a subtle menace in his voice, and I can practically hear Draven’s teeth grinding together in answer.

“Tell them what you told me,” I whisper. “Please?”

Draven’s shoulders inch down slightly, just enough to let me know the danger has passed.

“He thought I was still his sleeper agent, so I was briefed on the soldiers who were hidden amongst the guests,” he mutters. “Cain was planning on Evie betraying him. She would’ve died, along with Frost, and the rest of you probably would’ve followed soon after.”

Apparently that’s enough for the alpha who leans back against the door once more, mollified.

“No hard feelings,” Frost replies. “Although, you could’ve broken me outbeforethey started on the torture.”

“I’ll take that into account next time,” Draven says, dryly.

“There won’t be a next time, because next time the whole team is going to know what’s going on,” Gideon growls, looking between Draven and me. “The two of you have spent a large part of your lives operating alone, I get that. But if we’re doing this, there are no more lone wolf moments. You’re committed to the pack, and that means making decisions as a pack.”

Frost rolls his eyes and nods. “He’s right. No more solo missions. I know vampires prefer working alone, but it’s too dangerous.”

“Consider me reformed,” Draven drawls. “As it is, I don’t think Cain trusts me enough to confide in me like that again. I triggered his suspicions when I drugged your guards’ coffee.”

They all turn to me, and I want to wilt under the laser-like focus of their attention. Instead, I draw myself up to my full height and take a deep, steadying breath.

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