Chapter Twenty-Two
Sherese
Friday night’s here before I know it. The last few days passed in a blur.
Garrett, Emma, and Daniel transferred back to their home.
Emma’s doing well but still taking it easy.
Bryce and Hunter have put me through the wringer and made me fight Hunter several more times in preparation for tonight.
Thankfully, there’s been no more talk of emotion.
Actually, Hunter hasn’t talked to me at all since the other day.
He shows up to each of our sparring matches physically but definitely not mentally, but I don’t push it with him.
I’m not ready for another conversation like the one from the other day.
I haven’t really slept well since that conversation, but at last, things are back to normal.
He talked to me this morning, and then he proceeded to drop his head to my neck.
He also ran his hands up and down my bare arms and my back.
He told me he was covering me in his scent, so the wolves would only smell him and not vampire.
I’m not really sure that’s going to work, but he told me I don’t smell as strong as other vampires… probably because of my healer blood.
There’s a knock on my door. “Ready?” I hear Ava call out.
I open the door. “Yep.”
She eyes me and frowns. “Is that what you’re wearing?”
I look down at my leggings and crop top. “Yes.”
Bryce shows up behind Ava. “Raechel’s here.”
I frown. “Why?”
He shrugs. “I’ll go find out.”
He doesn’t get to, though, because Raechel shows up a second later. “Hey, Chicas. Miss me?”
“Why are you here?” I ask in surprise.
“Nice to see you too, Vampy,” she says easily.
She gives me a once-over just like Ava did.
“Yep, just as I thought. You need to change. Good thing for you, we’re both about the same size.
You have a few inches on me, but it’s close enough.
” She pushes past me, and I stare after her.
She throws some clothes down on the bed I hadn’t even realized she was carrying.
“Here. Try these. Never mind. I can tell they’ll be too short. Here, try this.”
She thrusts clothing into my hand, and I stare at it and then her. “What is going on?”
Ava sits on the bed and waves a hand. “The girls dress up for fight night; it’s a whole thing.”
Raechel rolls her eyes. “You make it sound like we wear dresses and heels to fight in.” Ava shrugs, and Raechel turns to me.
“We don’t. We really don’t. But do we dress sexy to make our mates lose their minds?
Yes. We definitely do that. Hence, the black leather leggings and red V-neck I’m wearing. ”
I take in her outfit. “You’re wearing heels,” I feel the need to point out.
She scowls. “Boots. With heels. Totally different.” Ava smirks at me, and I try to keep a blank expression on my face. I figure I fail when Raechel gives me an irritated, “Never mind. Now, go get dressed.”
“Why? I don’t have a mate to impress.”
Raechel studies my face for a moment. “Okay. But it’s still fun to dress up.”
“Yeah, I’m good, but thanks.” I hand the clothes back to her.
Raechel gives me a look that makes me think she sees more than she lets on. “Trust me on this, from one soul sister to another.”
Shock runs through me. “Soul sister?”
“Yeah. Souls that are bound together because of their painful pasts.” She turns to Ava and gives her a gentle smile. “Ava’s one too.” When she turns back to me, there’s an intensity there that was absent before. “But those pasts don’t define us.”
“I’m a vampire, Raechel.”
“I don’t care what you are. Our pasts don’t define us.
We are more than a summation of our past mistakes, regrets, and certainly the things we had no control over.
You are human, and that means you are worthy of love.
” Her words strike at the very core of who I am so deeply, I can almost feel them piercing me.
“And believe me, you are not the only one with a sordid past. All you need is a good man like my Max to love you and see past all the bad stuff.”
I try to speak, but the words get clogged in my throat for some reason.
“Right,” I finally manage to get out. It was supposed to sound sarcastic, but I’m not sure that’s how it came out.
Not liking the focus on myself or the unwanted emotion I’m feeling, I say the first thing that pops into my mind. “Every guy loves a woman with fangs.”
My comment doesn’t faze Raechel in the least. “The right one will.”
And just like that, I’m done with this conversation.
I yank the clothes from her hands, needing something to focus on.
I stride into the bathroom and close the door behind me.
I don’t think about the fact that my hands are shaky, and there’s an odd lump in my throat.
I don’t think about what it would be like to be one of them.
A normal human with a mate who thinks I’m the world.
I don’t think about the clothes I’m putting on.
I can’t think, or the bubble of indifference I’ve carefully crafted around myself over the past few years will pop.
And I have no idea what would happen after that.
I stride out of the bathroom without ever looking in the mirror.
I never do. Why should tonight be any different? “How’s this?”
Raechel and Ava both turn to me. Ava’s eyes widen, and Raechel grins slowly. “I knew you had a body under all those baggy shirts.” I frown and glance down at myself, wondering what exactly I’m even wearing. I frown at the black pants. “Are these...leather?”
Raechel nods. “They’re the best. They’re butter soft and smooth and look sexy as all get out, especially with legs as long as yours.
But they’re non-restrictive. I fight in them all the time, and I’m really picky about what I wear to fight in.
” She continues as if she’s describing what I’m wearing to an audience of designers.
“The black tank top is silk and loose, but it won’t get in the way of your movements.
Lastly, the black leather jacket is yours.
I found it on the floor, and it goes perfectly with your outfit. ”
“I feel like I’m dressing up to a stereotype here.” When they all just stare at me, I add, “All black? Vampire?”
“I think you look sexy,” Ava says with a shrug.
“Yep. Do you have red lipstick?” Raechel asks.
“I do.” It’s a weird thing to have, but I do have lipstick.
The vampires always made sure I had cosmetics and clothes and other nice things.
Well, actually, I’m pretty sure it was Rizo.
I’m pretty sure he wanted to buy my loyalty.
I pull the lipstick out of my top drawer, put it on, and then drop it back in my drawer.
I see my mascara and eye shadow, and make quick work of adding those as well.
If I’m going to do this, I might as well go all out.
When I shut the drawer and turn around, both girls are staring at me with wide eyes.
“What?” I snap a little harsher than I mean to.
“You did all that without looking in a mirror,” Ava points out, like it’s some crazy feat.
“Seriously. Skills, Girl. Hashtag goals,” Raechel adds.
I don’t tell them that I rarely look at myself in mirrors, if possible. “Ready?”
“Yes. Let’s go,” Raechel says, rubbing her hands together excitedly.
“You do realize you’re going to be fighting her in the ring in like just a little bit, right?” Ava asks Raechel dryly.
“Yes, and I’m totally going to take her down. But won’t we look good doing it?” I shake my head.
“See?” Ava says as we leave the room. “Unhinged.”
If I were the type of person to laugh, I would, especially when Raechel calls out from behind us, “And don’t forget it!”
We head out into the living room and stop. Ava legit squeals next to me. “Sam! Rose!”
“What?” Raechel calls out from behind me and nearly bowls me over to get to them. I notice Sage is here as well.
“What are you doing here?” Ava asks after lots of hugs and squeals.
“We came to see our girl fight,” Rose says with a soft smile.
“Aw, thanks, Girls,” Raechel says, but even as she says it, she glances at me. In fact, they’re all looking at me.
“What?” I ask, not getting it.
“We came to see you fight, Sherese,” Samantha says.
My eyes widen in surprise. “Uh, why?”
“Because I called them and told them to come,” Sage says.
I stare at all of them, not liking being the center of attention. “Again. Why?” I’m not trying to be nasty; I just really don’t get it.
“Because you’re one of us,” Samantha says as if it’s the easiest thing in the world.
I eye them skeptically. “I’m a vampire.”
“Yes, you are,” Samantha agrees.
“But underneath that, you’re a healer,” Rose says in a strong voice. “And that makes you one of us.”
“And we healers stick together,” Sage adds.
“Sooo,” Samantha says, drawing it out. “Sage called us and told us tonight was your big night. We wanted to show up and support you.”
I eye each of them. “And your mates are okay with all of you being in here with a vampire?”
Rose gives me a sheepish look. “Maverick might be right outside.”
“So is Wyatt,” Samantha adds.
“And Paul.” That’s from Sage. “But they’re out there, and we’re in here.”
Honestly, I'm shocked that they’re not inside. I’m shocked at this entire thing. “You all didn’t have to come. It’s not that big a deal.”
“We didn’t have to,” Samantha reiterates. “We wanted to, and it is a big deal. We’re totally cheering for you. We've needed someone to take Raechel down a few pegs for a long time. I would have come just for that if not for any other reason,” she says with a grin.
“Seriously,” Ava adds. “All the times she’s tried to get us to fight?!”
“Right,” Rose adds. “I mean, have you seen any of us fight?”
Raechel scowls. “You are all dead to me.” But a moment later, she strides towards the door. “Let’s go, my girls. The night is ours! Let’s go show our mates how it’s done.”
The healers all watch her go and then crack up laughing. I really don’t know what to make of all this. “I really don’t want to go tonight,” Ava says from behind us. “I hate fight night.”
“Liam put Bryce on the schedule for tonight,” Raechel calls out over her shoulder.
Ava brightens. “Really? Oooo. Where’s my snacks?!”
Rose and Samantha laugh, and we all head out.
I follow them and stop at the sight of all the males on the front porch.
It’s an intimidating group. Maverick, Rose’s mate and now the alpha of the Florida pack, pretty much just scowls at me.
Wyatt, Samantha’s mate, gives me what I think is supposed to be a friendly smile, but he’s also an alpha.
..and it’s kind of showing right now. The doctor is a little more used to me, so he doesn’t react as strongly to my presence.
And Max and Bryce must already be over at the fight.
I keep my head down and try not to make eye contact with the males, hoping to appear less threatening.
I am the furthest thing from a threat to their mates, but I know they don’t know that.
I stop when I see the cars lined up. Ava notices and stops next to me. “We’re driving?” I ask in a soft voice.
“Yeah.” She glances up at me. “It will be okay. I’ll tell them you need to sit near the front.”
“No, don’t.” But she’s already striding away.
She talks to Wyatt, who turns and looks at me.
He talks to Maverick, who also turns to face me.
Paul joins their group as well, and I resist the urge to roll my eyes.
Ava doesn’t. She turns to me and rolls her eyes.
I can make it out even in the dark. She finally waves me over, and she and I settle in the middle seat behind Maverick and Rose.
I guess Maverick got stuck with vampire duty.
He doesn’t say a word, but Ava keeps the conversation with Rose going the entire way.
I stare out the window and try to keep the unease in my chest from growing.
While I want to do this, I really want to fight against Raechel.
The challenge sounds really fun, but I dread showing up to an entire wolf pack.
When we pull in and stop, I see Garrett waiting outside the building. I turn to Ava. “How’s Emma?”
“She’s doing well but taking it easy. She won’t be here tonight; she’s sitting this one out.” Maverick parks, and then it’s time to face the music. I open the door, climb out, and make my way to the alpha waiting outside the building.