Page 12 of Haven

“It’s hard not to, especially seeing their struggles as Shifters without a pack over the years. Lily has suffered the most, and Iwill do everything in my power to ensure she finds a place where she belongs and is happy.” Sadie frowned, rubbing her arms. It was dusk, and the temperatures had dropped quickly. Fall was just around the corner, and the nights were becoming cooler. “Growing up, our parents did their best to teach us both human and shifter ways. That’s when I realized what they gave up for me. The more I learned, the more I realized just how different their life would have been without me, how much Lily’s life would have been different.”

Kile heard the pain in her voice as she talked. It wasn’t self-pity but a genuine belief that she had ruined her stepparent’s life as well as Lily’s. Damn, that was a huge burden for someone to carry. Shifters, in general, stayed with their own kind. Most packs forbid Shifter and human relationships. There were exceptions. Kile glanced at his brother, who had pulled Gemma into his arms so she had something to lean against. Eric and Gemma were the exceptions.

“Lily said that she didn’t realize if she was accepted into that asshole’s pack that she more or less belonged to him,” Kile said, frowning at the hole in her story. He watched her closely, waiting for her to answer.

“That’s true.” She replied without hesitation. “Even though I warned her about going to his pack, it wasn’t because of anything my parents had told us, but because I didn’t like him the first time I met him. I don’t know why they never told Lily about that, but I’m sure there are many things they waited to tell Lily, not realizing that their time would be tragically cut short.”

Seeing the pain in her eyes, Kile wished he had kept his mouth shut, but he was trying to understand their situation.

“I’m sorry for your loss.” Gemma reached over and patted her arm. “I’m sure you’re right. They were probably waiting for the right time to speak of certain things. I’m still learning about Shifters myself, and I’ve been working with them for a long time.”

“That’s because we’re a complex species,” Kile said with a smirk toward Gemma. He loved teasing his sister-in-law.

“Tell me about it.” Gemma agreed with a roll of her eyes.

“Your sister will be well taken care of and protected.” Eric broke the silence, taking his attention off Sadie. “We offer you that same protection.”

“Thank you,” Sadie said after clearing the emotion from her voice. “Lily is my only concern. As soon as she is settled, and I know this is what she wants, I will be leaving.”

“And does Lily know your plans?” Gemma frowned. They all three waited for her answer.

Sadie didn’t answer immediately, her eyes shifting from Gemma to the darkness where Lily and Alex had disappeared. “I will be close and able to visit,” she replied, answering the question without really answering it. “Lily is a strong woman who needs to find herself and her own way in her world. She can’t do that with me on the run.”

“What about you?” Kile finally spoke, not liking that she would be out alone with no protection. Yeah, he didn’t fucking like it at all.

Her eyes found his. They were beautiful, the firelight from the pit reflecting in her eyes. “It’s not me he wants.”

Kile wasn’t precisely talking just about the asshole in the parking lot, but men in general. His wolf struggled inside him at the thought of any man around this woman. “You, a human, meddled in Shifter business. In our world, as you like to keep calling it, that’s a cardinal sin. Remember, I was there, and I heard his threats, which I don’t take lightly.”

He saw the fear flash in her eyes before she looked away with a shrug. His keen hearing picked up on the shuddering breath she took before speaking. “Colton is a bully,” Sadie replied, her voice sounding strong. He saw her shaking hands before she put them under the table on her lap. “Once he knows Lily is protected, he will move on.”

Kile and Eric shared a look before his gaze landed back on her. “You don’t really believe that, do you?”

“I don’t have a choice.” Her eyes met his once again, and at that moment, he knew this woman would sacrifice herself to keep a sister who was not of her blood, safe.

CHAPTER 8

Sadie was uneasy with the questions and knew it showed. This was something she had to do for her sister. Kile was right. She didn’t believe what she had said about Colton giving up. He would not. He would come after her if he couldn’t get to Lily, but she would take the risk for her sister. Sadie didn’t want to die, but it was a sacrifice she would make because, as Lily’s dad had promised her own father, Sadie herself had made a promise at the graveside of her stepparents. It was a promise that would not be broken. Lily would have the life that she deserved.

“I also heard what he said about the alpha of this pack,” Kile informed her with a frown. “I don’t think you understand the danger you could be in.”

“I’m not sure what Colton meant by that,” Sadie replied, biting her lip in thought. “I’ve never met the alpha, so I don’t know why he would have a problem with me.” Colton’s threat of the alpha confused her.

"What you did was an offense against the alpha," Eric told her. "A human woman sneaking in to help a shifter escape is seen as a serious insult to his leadership."

“I did what I had to do. And if I insulted someone’s leadership, then maybe they should make sure that their people don’t beat up on women.” Sadie frowned, but realized she really didn’t know much about this world, and it scared her a little. How was she to know going in to help her sister would insult someone other than maybe Colton, the asshole? Perhaps she should have known, but honestly, all she wanted to do was get her sister away from Colton, which she did successfully. If this dude was pissed, then he could get over it.

No one said anything as the quiet of the night surrounded them. A few howls from the wolves broke the silence as her eyes searched the darkness for her sister.

“Shouldn’t they be back by now?” Sadie asked, glancing at Kile, who was still watching her closely—too closely. It was as if he was searching her soul for answers...answers she didn’t have. Since their parents' deaths, both she and Lily had been living minute by minute, trying their best to stay afloat in a sea of grief and trouble. She was so tired of it all.

“They’re back,” Eric confirmed with a nod. “Alex will bring her up as soon as she’s changed.”

Sadie nodded and then glanced at the food she had barely touched. Not wanting to be rude, she picked up her fork as her stomach recoiled at the thought of eating anything. She decided it was time to ask the question she dreaded asking before Lily made an appearance. Putting her fork down again, afraid if she took even one bite, it would come back up in revolt.

“How much will it be for Lily to stay here?” Sadie asked Gemma, hoping they would have enough until Sadie could start working. “We have some put away, but I plan on starting work as soon as possible.” She added just in case it was more than they had.

“The only thing that I will ask of Lily is that she takes responsibility for helping with the wolves and running the Sanctuary,” Gemma informed her. “As you can see with the tents we have grown substantially with our extended family that I’m so grateful for. Soon, we hope to have housing for those who want to stay on the property.”