Page 84 of Shifter Situations

Anger coursed through my bond with Briggs, and Baylor’s chest vibrated as he bared his teeth. I shifted too, thankful that I could choose to keep my clothes on.

If this man pissed my mate off so quickly, I definitely didn’t want to face the issue naked.

“That’s what happens when you have skills that are invaluable to the Supreme Alpha. Did you have a complaint that needed to be addressed? I’d be happy to assist you.”

“I suppose you’ll be coming for the Colorado pack now that you two are all grown up and making connections.”

He took a step forward, and I wasn’t sure if it was meant to be threatening or not. I extended my arm, laughing as the flat of my palm struck his shoulder and knocked him back.

“Consider this your official warning, because I don’t have time for you to become another issue on our plate. You can’t touch the Elliotts outside of a sanctioned challenge fight. They’ve made all the right connections, and now they’re heavily protected players on the board.

“If one hair is harmed on either Elliott brother—by you—then you face punishments in accordance with the treaties between the House of Vampyre and shifters as well as the Underworld and shifters. The new leaders won’t take kindly to your blatant disregard of laws that have been in place for a century or more.”

“Who are you to cite laws to me? Other than the hybrid trash that Charlie King tries to pass as his offspring.”

I briefly thought about killing him, but I’d let Briggs make that decision.

For now, I wanted to leave him with a gentle warning.

“I’m the High Coven Mistress of Vampyre, so your punishment would rest upon the shoulders of my mate and me.”

I wobbled my head side-to-side, finally tilting it slightly to the right as I examined him. A relaxed smile stretched across my lips, razor-sharp teeth on display as my demon surged to the surface. I patted his shoulder, patronizing him as my mate and his brother lumbered toward the porch.

“I’m also the Third Devil of Hell, so your punishment would, again, rest upon the shoulders of my mate and me.”

I bit at my nail, thoroughly enjoying the stupefied expression on Colorado faction alpha’s face.

“Oh, and as of tomorrow, I’m one-half of your new Supreme Alpha. Briggs Elliott is one of my mates, so you know…”

I shrugged. “Punishment, shoulders, that whole line one more time. Just be careful, that’s all I’m getting at.”

As I passed him, I stopped, taking a step back to stand beside him. Turning my head to look at him, I smirked.

“Your life now rests in the Elliott brothers’ hands. I’d be really fucking nice if I were you, because if they want you dead, then you’ll be dead. They belong to the Devil, and you’ve got our attention now. That’s not a place you’re going to enjoy being at.”

I began walking away, calling over my shoulder, “Trust me when I say... The Devil doesn’t care about you. She only cares about her treasures and vengeance, and you’re not one of our treasures.”

17

Vaughn

Saturday, June 6th

Late Morning

I couldn’t decide if I was turned off by guns because I had a natural source of power or for some other unknown reason. But whatever it was, I didn’t like them. I wasn’t anti-gun, but I wouldn’t actively use them either.

Being friends with the shifters meant that I, at least, knew how to use one properly.

Briggs and Baylor were adamant about everyone coming outside with them to practice. Something was worrying them; they weren’t ready to talk about it, though.

Grim had put some sort of gray, shimmering dome up around the area, including the cabins we were staying in. He said that the bullets shouldn’t stray outside the barrier, but he didn’t sound positive, or maybe I was reading too far into his mood.

Sloane and Jack didn’t seem to be concerned about the reaper.

I didn’t know why so many of them were in weird moods, but it was bothering me.

And while I was on the subject of things that I didn’t know...