the cool temperature in the hallway, her palms were clammy.
Today was the day.
With her mother dead, she was the interim queen and would soon be meeting with
The Council. Technically only two out of the eight Council members would be at the
meeting, but they’d been permitted to bring Alphas from four of the strongest packs.
That meant Thomas’ father would be at the meeting. Hence her ridiculously damp
palms. She was so ashamed at the way she’d left Thomas, then ignored all his attempts
to contact her.
“You okay?” her sister whispered as she gave her hand a small squeeze.
Swallowing hard, she flicked a quick glance in Kassia’s direction but she was
mindful of the six other Gentry members walking with them. She couldn’t appear weak
in front of them or she’d have to deal with the fallout later. Even if she hated all this
political crap it was unfortunately her life now. “Of course.”
But she wasn’t. Nausea swirled inside her mercilessly. She’d skipped breakfast in
lieu of three cups of steaming hot, black coffee. Now the bitter liquid swirled around in
her stomach like acid.
After the way she’d sneaked out of Thomas’ house in the middle of the night weeks
ago, the thought of seeing anything or anyone related to him made her shiver. Her
84
Dangerous Craving
traitorous nipples hardened at the thought of his callus-roughened hands or sensuous
mouth teasing them.
He’d been so insistent that everything between them would work out and he’d
make a place in her life but she knew better. Instead of arguing or dragging things out,
she’d simply left. Yes, she was the worst kind of coward but she’d needed to get to her
dying mother and she hadn’t had the energy to go up against a dominating man like
Thomas.
And no matter what he said, she couldn’t allow him to suffer throughout the rest of
their life together. She loved him too much and she knew he’d eventually resent her for
taking him away from his family. His resentment would be worse than anything.
She steeled herself as one of her men opened the heavy oak door to the conference
room. Entering before her sister, she nearly stumbled in her heels but thankfully caught
herself.
Thomas sat at the table with five other shifters. And they were all hulking. No
wonder her people had lost the war all those centuries ago. All these men were giant
predators.
Her throat tightened as his dark eyes narrowed on her. Oh yeah, he was pissed.
Beyond angry. And she didn’t blame him.
Forcing herself to breathe, she looked at the two Council members she’d held a
video conference with the week before and smiled at them. “Gentlemen, it’s nice to
finally meet you in person.”
Both Adama and Brenner nodded politely at her as they stood. “Nissa,” Brenner
said first. Then he motioned toward the other males. “This is Calder, Haki, Isandro, and
you’ve already met Thomas. We heard about what happened with your cousin and
since the Lazos pack gave you protection, we granted the request that Thomas come in
place of his father even though he is not yet an Alpha. We hope this is acceptable?”
She nodded stiffly. “Of course. My people are very grateful for the protection
afforded me by the Lazos pack.” Nissa couldn’t believe her voice didn’t shake. Her
85
Savannah Stuart
insides felt like jelly yet somehow she managed to sound completely unaffected. Or
maybe that was just wishful thinking on her part.
At her words the two Council members visibly relaxed. One of them motioned
toward the seats across from them at the long, rectangular table. “If you’re ready to
start, we are.”
Gratefully she took a seat and barely refrained from collapsing onto it. Her sister
and four of her men sat, but two stood back guarding the door.
Brenner lifted a briefcase from the floor and spread a handful of papers on the table.
Even though she was doing her best to avoid looking at Thomas, she could feel
Today was the day.
With her mother dead, she was the interim queen and would soon be meeting with
The Council. Technically only two out of the eight Council members would be at the
meeting, but they’d been permitted to bring Alphas from four of the strongest packs.
That meant Thomas’ father would be at the meeting. Hence her ridiculously damp
palms. She was so ashamed at the way she’d left Thomas, then ignored all his attempts
to contact her.
“You okay?” her sister whispered as she gave her hand a small squeeze.
Swallowing hard, she flicked a quick glance in Kassia’s direction but she was
mindful of the six other Gentry members walking with them. She couldn’t appear weak
in front of them or she’d have to deal with the fallout later. Even if she hated all this
political crap it was unfortunately her life now. “Of course.”
But she wasn’t. Nausea swirled inside her mercilessly. She’d skipped breakfast in
lieu of three cups of steaming hot, black coffee. Now the bitter liquid swirled around in
her stomach like acid.
After the way she’d sneaked out of Thomas’ house in the middle of the night weeks
ago, the thought of seeing anything or anyone related to him made her shiver. Her
84
Dangerous Craving
traitorous nipples hardened at the thought of his callus-roughened hands or sensuous
mouth teasing them.
He’d been so insistent that everything between them would work out and he’d
make a place in her life but she knew better. Instead of arguing or dragging things out,
she’d simply left. Yes, she was the worst kind of coward but she’d needed to get to her
dying mother and she hadn’t had the energy to go up against a dominating man like
Thomas.
And no matter what he said, she couldn’t allow him to suffer throughout the rest of
their life together. She loved him too much and she knew he’d eventually resent her for
taking him away from his family. His resentment would be worse than anything.
She steeled herself as one of her men opened the heavy oak door to the conference
room. Entering before her sister, she nearly stumbled in her heels but thankfully caught
herself.
Thomas sat at the table with five other shifters. And they were all hulking. No
wonder her people had lost the war all those centuries ago. All these men were giant
predators.
Her throat tightened as his dark eyes narrowed on her. Oh yeah, he was pissed.
Beyond angry. And she didn’t blame him.
Forcing herself to breathe, she looked at the two Council members she’d held a
video conference with the week before and smiled at them. “Gentlemen, it’s nice to
finally meet you in person.”
Both Adama and Brenner nodded politely at her as they stood. “Nissa,” Brenner
said first. Then he motioned toward the other males. “This is Calder, Haki, Isandro, and
you’ve already met Thomas. We heard about what happened with your cousin and
since the Lazos pack gave you protection, we granted the request that Thomas come in
place of his father even though he is not yet an Alpha. We hope this is acceptable?”
She nodded stiffly. “Of course. My people are very grateful for the protection
afforded me by the Lazos pack.” Nissa couldn’t believe her voice didn’t shake. Her
85
Savannah Stuart
insides felt like jelly yet somehow she managed to sound completely unaffected. Or
maybe that was just wishful thinking on her part.
At her words the two Council members visibly relaxed. One of them motioned
toward the seats across from them at the long, rectangular table. “If you’re ready to
start, we are.”
Gratefully she took a seat and barely refrained from collapsing onto it. Her sister
and four of her men sat, but two stood back guarding the door.
Brenner lifted a briefcase from the floor and spread a handful of papers on the table.
Even though she was doing her best to avoid looking at Thomas, she could feel
Similar Books
