Page 22 of Haven
“As my brother said, we will not tolerate any disrespect for the women here. There will be no more than two trips through the food line. If you’re that hungry, run into town or fill up a cooler.” Eric’s voice boomed loudly so they could all hear him clearly. “And as for you, Dan, you are lucky my brother got a hold of you first because I’m not as nice. You ever insinuate that my mate is yours, I won’t escort you off this property. I will kill you. You are fortunate to be breathing right now.”
A crowd of mated males stood around the outskirts, nodding in agreement, all glaring at Dan, who continued to look at the ground. The unmated males all nodded their understanding.
“Now, let’s finish our work so we can have a nice night,” Eric said, dismissing them.
Larry, standing near listening, walked up to the three of them. “You all sure know how to boost morale.” He snickered, shaking his head. “You Shifter fellows sure are a hoot. Never a dull moment around here now.”
Kile smirked, watching Larry walk toward Dan laughing his ass off. He said something to Dan, who scurried quickly away.
“Think they got the message?” Cole snorted, glancing at Kile. “Jesus, man.” Cole walked away, laughing almost as loud as Larry.
“Can I kill him?” Kile growled, glaring at Cole’s back.
“Nah, we need him,” Eric said after a few minutes of thought. “For now. So Sadie, huh? About fucking time you settled your ass down.”
Kile didn’t say a word as he walked away to get his emotions in check. He and Sadie would have a talk tonight about her leaving because he sure as hell was not allowing her to walk away without a fight, a fight he was determined to win.
CHAPTER 13
“Wow, you can see the bonfire from here.” Lily sighed in awe as they made their way up the hill toward the open field where the party was being held. They could hear the music from the tent while they were getting dressed. Sadie didn’t have many clothes with her, but she had found a lovely summer dress. Now, she doubted her choice; maybe she was overdressed.
“Maybe I should go change.” Sadie looked down at herself, slowing her pace.
“Don’t you dare,” Lily frowned, wrapping her arm with Sadie’s so she wouldn’t return to the tent. “You look beautiful. All the men will be falling all over you.”
“I don’t want men falling all over me.” Sadie snorted, rolling her eyes. “As if that would even happen.”
“Not even Kile Jackson?” Lily wiggled her eyebrows at her. “He’s a fine-looking man, and I’ve seen the looks he gives you, Sadie.”
Sadie’s heart quickened at her sister’s mention of Kile. “I’m human, Lily.”
“No shit, Sadie.” Lily mocked, dropping her arm from Sadie’s. “I am so sick of hearing you say that. So what. You’re human, I’m a shifter. We are people, end of story. Get over it already. Why is it such a big deal to you?”
A little surprised by Lily’s reaction, Sadie frowned. “Because this is your world, not mine.”
“Ugh! Our worlds are one and the same.” Lily threw her hands out to her side and then pointed to the fire in the distance. “Do you see the fire?”
Sadie glanced that way, then back to Lily. “Yes.” She replied slowly.
“How about the stars?” Lily looked up, her tone angry.
“Of course I do,” Sadie said, getting a little upset herself. “What’s your point?”
“The point is...we are in the same world.” Lily glanced from the sky to Sadie. “We are walking on the same grass, seeing the same stuff, and breathing the same air. Why can’t you accept that?”
“Because I was never accepted in your—" Sadie realized what she was about to say and stopped. It was as if the thought was automatic and her go-to, which proved Lily was right.
“But you were accepted by us, your family.” She sighed, her eyes sad as she lifted her arm again toward the crowd of people. “They are accepting you. Kile, a shifter and a man who can’t keep his eyes off you. I know Gemma offered you a job here, and I also know you will turn it down because you feel you don’t belong. That you will somehow hold me back if you stay because you’re a human or that I will lose opportunities because I have a humansister. Stop putting that on me. Live your life, Sadie. The only loss I will suffer is if you leave.”
“I’m only looking out for you.” Sadie tried to make a point, but it fell flat even to her own ears.
"We're sisters. We watch out for each other—that’s what sisters do," Lily said softly, tilting her head as she studied Sadie. "I love you, but you have to stop taking responsibility for my choices, whether they're good or bad. I made a mistake with Colton. That wasmymistake, and it has nothing to do with you being human. It has nothing to do with you at all. Mom and Dad taught us a lot, but they put too much focus on you being human and us being Shifters. Maybe that's why you feel guilty like I missed out on things because of you, but you're wrong. Iwashappy. Iamhappy. I wouldn’t change a thing because I have you, Sadie. That’s what matters. If I can live with that without guilt—without feeling like we took you away from the human world—and still be happy, why can’t you?"
Sadie felt tears burn the back of her eyes. Everything Lily just said was so true. “I thought you said we were from the same world,” Sadie said past the burning lump in her throat. She then laughed as tears spilled down her cheeks.
“Shut up,” Lily whispered with a laugh, grabbing Sadie in a tight hug. “I love you, Sadie, so much. I’ve seen you struggle with guilt since we were young. There is nothing for you to feel guilty about. I would have made the same choice as Mom and Dad about adopting you into our family. I don’t regret it. You are the sister of my heart and always will be.”
“I love you, Lily,” Sadie whispered into the softness of her sister’s hair. “I just want what’s best for you.”