Page 26 of Haze

“And you are?”

“I’m his sister. Revecca Ardelean, The Pricolici.” She says those words like none of them should surprise me.

They’re bittersweet with condescension, and I force myself to maintain a neutral expression because her wolf rises to her eyes and mine cowers more before her than I ever have with Cade.

I absolutely have to stop answering the door. Women showing up to take up residence in Cade’s life is leaving little room for me. Thalia being Cade’s mate was tolerable, and recently, I’ve been able to quell the wolf’s desire to cower to her, but now, a literal ‘Lena replacement’ has graced our threshold. Fan-fucking-tastic.

Opening the door wider, I step aside to let them in. I try to keep my tone nice, and with a tight smile, I welcome her and her henchmen. “Please. Come in. I’ll escort you to the public sitting space.”

Revecca doesn’t speak but rather gives me a posh up-down queen-bitch look over. It does nothing for my foul mood. It’s bad enough she thinks she’s in charge, but to cop an attitude in our pack house before fully entering our home? The audacity of this bitch. I’m in no hurry as I escort them to the main living space where I left my brothers.

“Hey, Lena, who was at—” Deacon stops short, seeing The Pricolici and her entourage walking behind me.

“His sister,” Revecca calls over my shoulder. “His real sister.”

Cade peeks his head around the corner and curses. “Oh fucking joy. How did she get past the gate?”

“Alexandru? Do you have a moment to speak?” The Pricolici looks at Cade.

Deacon whispers, “Who is Alexandru?”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” Revecca rolls her eyes and says something in Romanian. “What is it they fucking call you? Or should I address your wolf? The Leviathan.”

“I’m positive last time we spoke, I told you to call me Cade. I also already have a sister, and surprisingly, she’s nicer than you.” Cade shakes his head at her.

I recognize the cross look in his eyes and the crease in his brow. He’s exactly two sassy comments away from exploding, and she just walked in the door.

Rolling my eyes, I sit on the stool next to Deacon.

“Fine, Cade. Ridiculous. We need to talk. Where are your chambers?” Revecca scoffs.

Brace for impact. I chide my wolf, who’s already squirming deep inside.

It’s not Cade who explodes. A snarl rattles from Thalia. While the initial anger of her wolf settling has passed over the last few months, my brother’s darling mate has a possessive streak. That streak is stronger than Cade’s patience is thin. We’re all one quip away from exploding today.

“Silence,” Revecca commands.

Thalia shrinks back, hit hard by the direct command.

It rattles my wolf, and she focuses on the door where we could flee. I close my eyes briefly, unmoving for a moment until she stills.

The snarl ripping through Cade shakes the entire house. Spoke too soon. He steps closer to Revecca, further protecting Thalia behind him.

Revecca’s henchmen flank her in a pathetic attempt to protect her. Out of respect, they won’t get in front of her until the last minute, allowing her to maintain a visual on Cade as she speaks.

I’m captivated watching Revecca. I’ve seen Cade angry; I’ve been on the receiving end of his rage. I don’t need to watch his eyes go golden and his fangs peek out as he fights back the shift. He doesn’t get angry regularly, but this situation definitely warrants it.

Revecca’s response is unexpected. She leans back on her heels and listens intently to him rather than fight back.

What is happening? Why isn’t her wolf rising to meet The Leviathan?

“You will not speak to my mate that way. You will not go about throwing your gift around in my house. This is not up for debate.” Cade’s disciplinary tone is sharp and brooks no room for argument.

I can picture The Leviathan pushing through.

Revecca is clenching her jaw but not in anger. The way she shuffles back again is the subtlest submission. She turns her attention to Thalia. “I am sorry, Luna. I’ve stepped out of line.”

Thalia says nothing but, with a simple nod, accepts the apology.

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