Bad Beta Read online

  Hayes shoved off the wall where he’d been standing and crossed to the bed kneeling in front of it and gently grabbing Emma’s arm. He hadn’t even noticed she’d been favoring it until she’d just said something.

  “He drank and drank and I could feel myself growing weaker to the point where I couldn’t even scream anymore. I didn’t know if he was going to kill me or not, but he finally pulled back. His eyes were glowing red and he smiled at me and called me ambrosia, said ‘Wait until Naheem gets a taste of you’.”

  “Fffffuck!” Jaxon huffed.

  She frowned at Hayes. “I know what source means now. You could have warned me!”

  “I didn’t know,” he replied, but he had been pretty sure and it ate at him now that he could have warned her, should have warned her and perhaps prevented this.

  “You knew,” Emma accused. “I saw the look on your face when I said ‘source’. You didn’t have to come and help, but you could’ve given me a heads up. I could’ve done more!”

  Hayes kept her gaze a moment before dropping his head going back to inspecting her arm.

  “Okay, I answered your questions, now you answer mine, Emma demanded. “What does ambrosia mean?”

  “It’s from Greek mythology,” Jaxon began. “It means food of the Gods.”

  “I know that!” Emma snapped. “But why did he call me that? Is it a reference for all their food sources?”

  “No,” Hayes shook his head. “It means your blood is rare and highly valued among their kind. You taste like chocolate in a world filled with liver.”

  “Great!” She closed her eyes and let her head fall back against the pillow. “How often do they feed? When can I expect him and his friend, Naheem, to return?”

  It was Jaxon who answered, “Once a week. Feeding isn’t typically a daily need like with humans or wolf shifters.”

  But Emma had lifted her head and caught a glint in Jaxon’s eyes. “What? You know something else. Tell me!”

  Jaxon looked from her to Hayes and then back, his shoulders falling in resignation. “If they called you ambrosia it means they can’t resist the taste of you. You’ll be addicting. They’ll be back sooner than you think. They’ll feed off you more often.”

  Emma nodded numbly. “And this concubine? I’m no longer assuming anything. Someone tell me what it means.”

  The shifters looked from one to another, but Hayes was the one who answered. “When a vampire feeds, he can either make it painful or pleasurable. By pleasurable, I mean pleasurable. Because they’re monsters, they enjoy inflicting pain. They thrive on terror, but sometimes they find a female who makes them want to fuck while they feed. She is a concubine.”

  Emma was shaking her head. “That’s not happening. Why would anyone let one of those things touch her in that manner.”

  “You won’t have choice,” Jaxon explained.

  “Because they’re stronger?” Emma asked angrily. “Because they’ll force me?”

  “No,” Hayes gritted out suddenly sounding furious. “It’s called compulsion. While they drink from you they can make you think things, feel things. They’d make you enjoy it. Make you want it.”

  “That’s not gonna happen. I’d never enjoy the touch of that monster!” Emma was shaking her head hard. “Why? Why me?”

  “Because you’re beautiful,” Hayes responded without hesitation, evoking a muffled giggle from Bay. He frowned at her then looked back at Emma. “And you’re alone and a human. You’re an easy target.”

  “So, my options are run and let them have my land, fight and die protecting my land, or stay and let them feed from me hoping I taste so good that they leave me alive until they turn me into a vampire whore?”

  A rumbling growl bubbled up from Hayes.

  “No,” Jaxon shook his head. “You can come to our compound, stay with us for a while, let them think you’ve gone.”

  Emma lifted her head and shook it hard. “Then they still take my land thinking I’m gone. What’s the point in that? There’s another option, though. My mother said once that you could…” she bit her lip, stalling to ensure it was something she wanted to ask about. When she realized she was out of options she spit it out. “My mother said a shifter bite can change a human. Couldn’t one of you just change me so I can protect myself?”

  Hayes was back to growling.

  “It doesn’t work like that,” Jaxon frowned. “If one of us changes you then you become part of our pack. It’d be our obligation to protect you.”

  Emma dismissively waved the hand that Hayes wasn’t probing. “I don’t want all that. No one needs to protect me if I can do it myself. Can’t I waive your responsibility or something? I just need the ability to defend myself on even ground.” She shrugged and looked at each member in turn. “Someone just bite me.”

  No one moved for long minutes and she felt her heart start when the sandy haired enforcer they’d called Vance shrugged and stepped forward.

  Jaxon’s hand slapping flat onto Vance’s chest halted him. “What in the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

  “She was gonna get a waiver,” Vance offered sounding confused and now Jaxon was growling.

  “There is no fucking waiver! And for the record no one bites any one without my say so. Got it?”

  The pack all nodded in unison except Hayes who was still kneeling in front of Emma, but shooting daggers over his shoulder at Vance.

  Jaxon sighed in clear frustration, “Everyone out, we need a minute.”

  Everyone left the room except Hayes who continued to work his fingers up Emma’s arm from her delicate wrist to her elbow. “So you’d do that?” His tone was incredulous. “You’d become a wolf just to get away from him?”

  “What do you expect me to do?” Emma snapped. “Look at me!”

  And he did.

  “They’ve already killed off my livestock and I’m alone out here. This is my last stand, I have no choice. He wants to turn me into a steak that he can fuck and I can’t fight him. I tried and it nearly got me killed and Ruby…” her voice hitched as she looked away. “I should’ve left her inside. Locked her up tight, but I thought if she could warn me in time…”

  He could scent her regret and it gutted him. “Anyone else would have done the same. It was smart to take her out with you. It’s what dogs are for.”

  “No they’re not!” she snapped jerking her head around to glare at him. “Ruby was my best friend! She wasn’t just some dog…some pet! She was all I had!” Emma struggled to not break down.

  Jaxon, who’d been listening by the door blew out a pent up breath. “What if we offered to protect you? I could assign a wolf to stay here with you, ensure your safety.”

  Emma felt defeated. “You have no idea how strong they are.”

  Her words had Hayes lifting his chin rising in challenge. “You have no idea how strong we are.” He gently rested her wrist on her lap. “It’s not broken.”

  “Good,” Jaxon nodded. “I’m taking Udara back to the compound.” He jerked his chin toward Emma but was looking at Hayes. “I know how you feel about humans, so Aden and Vance can st…”

  “I’m staying,” Hayes ground out, planting his hands on his hips.

  Instead of arguing Jaxon stared at his Beta for a few moments and then nodded. “Fine. Vance stays too.” Because he was standing in the door way, he knew the rest of the pack had heard his dictate, so he turned toward the living room and punched a finger toward the sandy-haired enforcer. “Keep your fucking teeth to yourself!”

  Vance nodded sheepishly.

  “No one has to stay,” Emma argued. “You said they don’t feed once a day. The odds of him coming back tomorrow are slim.”

  Now Hayes was turning to face her, hands still planted on hips. “I’m. Staying.”

  She knew that look. It’s the same one he’d worn when he refused to let her meet with his Alpha. It meant he was getting his way. Reclining back on the bed she closed her eyes. “Fine. Do what you like.”

  C
hapter 6

  Hayes, on his way out of Emma’s room stopped at her door and turned back.

  “You were badly drained, Emma. Rest. You’re not fully healed. I’ll bring you something to eat shortly.”

  When he left and she was alone, she went over everything Jaxon and Hayes had told her. She was a fucking vampire candy bar! Worse, she was one that they could turn into a needy whore. She couldn’t let that happen. She couldn’t let that bastard get his hands on her ever again! She went over every scenario she could but the fact of the matter was that she wasn’t strong enough to fight them. She didn’t know enough about vampires to defeat them, and she didn’t have enough friends to battle them. Friends, hell! She’d only ever really had one. Her thoughts went to Ruby and her chest ached like she’d been shot. Why was loss so fucking painful?

  She couldn’t keep her tears back now even if she wanted to. She’d failed Ruby and she knew it. If she’d have run at the first sign of trouble her livestock and her best friend would all still be alive.

  “Fucking dumb bitch,” she muttered but quieted when there was a knock at the door and then it opened without her saying ‘Come in’.

  Hayes carried in plate and a glass of something. One of her wooden TV trays she’d gotten from Dean one year from Christmas was tucked under Hayes’ arm. He set the plate and glass on her dresser by the door and unfolded the tray, setting it up beside the bed then placing the plate and glass on top.

  “Steak and a loaded baked potato,” he looked at her plate. “Something hardy to help you regain your strength. The soda should help too.” He scrubbed at his wild hair. “Udara said juice, but I already gave you the last of it and all you had were cans of Coke in the crisper drawer.” He pulled a cloth napkin from his back pocket and unrolled it, revealing a fork and a knife. “Eat it all, Emma.”

  He turned to leave and she bristled at his command. That faded though when he stopped halfway out the door and looked back. “I’m sorry about what I said about Ruby. I’m a shifter, I know animals are more than they seem I just didn’t know if you felt that way too.”

  She nodded her appreciation at his apology.

  “And Emma. None of this is your fault. None of it, so don’t let me hear you talking to yourself like that again.” Then he was gone, closing the door softly behind him.

  Emma ate all of the potato, drank all of the Coke, and devoured most of the steak. She knew the iron would do her good, but she just couldn’t manage the feat. Tired, she felt her blood moving sluggishly through her veins. It felt like the first time she’d ever tried whiskey. When Hayes came in to clear her tray she asked about it.

  “What’s wrong with me? Why do I feel so sluggish and warm?”

  “I don’t think you realize how damn close you came to dying today, Emma. If Udara hadn’t…”

  His words faded causing Emma’s brow to furrow. “If Udara hadn’t what? What did she do?”

  “It’s called healing. She’s the pack Omega. It means she’s the heart, the caretaker, the healer. She has the ability to gift her energy to others to aid in their healing process. She did it today with you. If she hadn’t been here though, you wouldn’t be either.”

  Emma swallowed hard and rubbed at her chest. “Is…is she okay? I mean I don’t want anyone else getting hurt because of me and if I could…”

  “She’s fine,” Hayes cut in, but his dark frown had returned.

  “Why are you so upset all of a sudden?”

  “Because you don’t make sense,” he accused. “Paranormals nearly killed you today. They murdered every single animal on your homestead and almost did the same to you! Yet here you sit, worried about whether Udara was okay after gifting you her energy. It doesn’t make sense. Humans don’t work that way. They’re selfish and inconsiderate. They hate everything and everyone that’s different. Why should you care if Udara lives or dies? Paranormals did this to you. Shouldn’t one of them give their life to fix it?”

  “You’ve been hanging out with the wrong humans, Hayes. We’re not all like that. And don’t you ever accuse me of wanting anyone’s life in exchange for mine. I’d gladly be buried out beneath that hill right now if it mean Ruby was still alive. Now, if you’re going to just hurl insults at me because I’m human, which I might point out is something beyond my control, then you can get the hell out and take your friend with you!”

  He didn’t move though. Instead they stayed scowling at each other for tense moments when Emma finally sighed. “I need to pee. Please leave my room.” She threw the covers back off of her and balked when she saw that she was still wearing her jeans and shirt from when she’d been attacked. Blood was still sticky all over the front of her jeans and her shirt and the scent was nausea inducing.

  “I’ll grab you clothes. You can take a shower while you’re up.” Hayes opened her dresser drawers and started pulling out clothing.

  Not sure if it was because she’d been married for ten years or because she was just too tired to give a damn, but the sight of Hayes rifling through her panty drawer and pulling out a satiny white pair didn’t bother her at all. She watched as he dug out a pair of sweats and a t-shirt too. He kept opening draws and closing them before looking at her. “A bra?”

  “No, I’m good.” She made to stand and the world spun in a dizzying loop. “Whoa!”

  She reached out for something and felt solid muscle. Hayes was fast too then, just like the vamp.

  She let him steady her and when she opened her eyes there were little bursts of white in her vision. “Jesus,” she breathed.

  “You okay to do this?”

  Hell no, but she wasn’t falling asleep in blood soaked jeans. “I got it.” She pulled from his grasp and took and unsteady step. She noted his arms on either side of her body as he paced her to the bathroom, each step growing more and more sure.

  When she made it to the bathroom, she put the lid down and lowered onto the toilette. She bent to unlace her boots, but Hayes brushed her hands aside. “Let me. You concentrate on not passing out.”

  She chuffed a laugh, but it was a humorless sound.

  “You know to shifters, nudity isn’t a big deal.” Hayes spoke as he worked. “If you need I could…”

  “No.” She wasn’t even going there, especially not with Hayes. Hell, only yesterday he’d sent her from his territory like a total jerk without even letting her speak to his Alpha. So no, he wouldn’t be seeing her naked today…or any day for that matter.

  “Well, leave the door unlocked unless you want me breaking it down,” he growled. “If I hear anything out of the ordinary, I’m coming in. Got it!”

  “Define out of the ordinary,” she demanded as she toed out of her boots.

  Hayes spoke loudly as he disappeared back into her room taking her boots. When he returned he was carrying clean clothes he’d pulled from her dresser. He set them on the counter and dug through the cabinet pulling out a fresh towel. “Scream, yelp, gasp, moan, crash, anything falling!”

  Emma grinned as she stood. “Okay. Total silence is what you’re saying. I think I can do that.” She flicked her fingers toward the door. “Now shoo!”

  Hayes growled but left, closing the door a little too firmly behind him.

  Chapter 7

  Damn Hayes and his damn rules! Emma had washed herself as quickly as she could because her limbs had begun trembling just a few minutes into showering and she was determined to keep him from bursting into the room. Quickly, she rinsed the soapy water from her frame, gliding a hand down the flat side of her chest. She desperately wanted to drop down and have a good cry, but that’d probably fall under his “out of the ordinary” sounds. So, Emma turned off the water and snaked her hand out from behind the curtain, snagging the fluffy pink towel and drying quickly.

  The bathroom had been masculine when Dean had been alive. She’d decorated in a fishing theme with fly fishing curtains, green rugs, and fish related products from a trout shaped brush to a giant ceramic fish hook to hold the toilette paper.
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br />   It’d been the first thing she’d changed when he’d died. Not because she hated it. On the contrary, the room had always reminded her of him and once he was gone, she could barely stand being in the space. It had smelled of his masculine scented body wash and shampoo for months after he’d gone and to this day whenever she passed that section in the grocery store, it made her gut clench. It was one of the reasons she hated being around other men. All their scents seemed to remind her of her Dean.

  One night, in an effort to stop her habit of peeing outside to avoid using her own bathroom, she’d taken down all the fish themed crap and burned it in a giant bonfire while getting pissy ass drunk. And fuck it’d hurt. Watching pieces of him go up in flames was gut wrenching, but she knew she needed to move on or she was going to end up at the bottom of the hill beside him.

  The next day, hung over as all get out, she forced herself to trek to town and spent three hundred dollars on the girliest, pinkest, most obnoxious bathroom décor. When she’d finished decorating she’d clapped her hands in excitement as she’d squealed, “IT’S FUCKING HIDEOUS!” And it still was, but it was hers and it no longer made her chest ache and her throat burn just to enter the room.

  A knock at the door had her wrapping the pink towel around her body.

  “Everything alright?”

  Good Lord, Hayes was annoying. “Yes!” she hissed. “Just drying off.” Hayes. Funny, but now that she thought on it, his presence didn’t repulse her like that of other men and she thought on it, finally realizing it was his smell. He didn’t smell like the typical soaps and body washes you got at the store. No, he smelled like pine sap and smoke and wet earth. He smelled like her mountains.

  “Two more minutes,” Hayes ground out from the other side of the door. “Then, I’m coming in.”

  “Christ,” she breathed and dropped her towel to pull her shirt over her head before stepping into her panties and then shoving her legs into her gray sweat pants. She grabbed her silver brush from the drawer and quickly brushed out her typically chestnut colored hair that was now dark brown because it was wet. She quickly braided it into a damp twist and as her fingers worked, her eyes dipped to her chest. One side of her shirt was tented where it rested against her bare breast, her nipple poking the fabric. The other side was noticeably flat. Not wanting to have to explain anything to anyone, she rifled through the bottom drawer and pulled out a sports bra that was fitted with a form in the left side that was the same size as her real breast. Quickly, she pulled it up over her sweats and tucked her arms back into her sleeve holes to put it on before shoving her arms back out. She adjusted it in the mirror until it looked like she had two normal breasts and then she exited the bathroom.