Moonlight by Katie Salidas Read Free Book Online Page B

mean?”
    Micah’s icy blue eyes matched the coldness of his glare. “It means, human, that I don’t like you, I don’t appreciate your attitude, and I don’t think you’re right for this pack.”
    “That’s not for you to decide. Brady, back me up on this.”
    Brady heaved a sigh. “Micah, you’re treading on thin ice here.” His tone had all the intensity of a sleeping dog and just as much effect. “She is Aiden’s.”
    Beyond the negativity directed toward me, the way they talked made me sound like property and not an equal partner in the relationship. But that was an argument to have on a different day. 
    “You know I’m right, Brady,” Micah replied. “Don’t be afraid to admit it in front of the human. Aiden is whipped by this human. No offense.”
    It was becoming abundantly clear how unhappy various members of the pack and the council were with an outside becoming one of their Alphas.
    Micah turned his chilly gaze back in my direction. “And, beyond being a human trying to meddle in the affairs of our pack, you’re also part of that vampire clan.”
    “Yes, I am friendly with the vampires, and so what if I am? That vampire clan is part of this pack.” He was grasping at straws if he thought his accusation held water. Turning on your allies is never a good idea. “And if you recall, Alyssa—one of those vampires—was the one to rescue Brady when the Acta Sanctorum had him caged like a common dog.”
    I looked to Brady for support, but he remained unusually tight-lipped.
    “They’ve hurt as much as they’ve helped. And we tolerate them because at times they can be useful. Don’t be so quick to award them any medals of honor. In case you had forgotten, they’re the reason Connor died.”
    Brady winced at the mention of his father.
    Too soon. Bad idea. Connor’s body had just been laid to rest; now was not the time to dig it back up and drag it into a petty squabble.
    “And that vampire Alyssa—do you deny that she is your best friend?” Micah jabbed a finger at me.
    “Yeah, Alyssa and I are best friends. So what?”
    “So… that means when they gear up to take on the Saints as they’ve been planning to do, who do you think they are going to come to? Us. And of course since the Alpha is mated to their best friend, we’ll all be asked to put our lives on the line… again. Our pack is still in the process of rebuilding. We can’t handle another war. But if Aiden takes you as mate, it’s a guarantee.”
    My headache was coming back with a vengeance and my blood pressure started to soar. Now the truth was coming out. His dislike of me had nothing to do with me not being a werewolf. I’d have been willing to bet he’d been the one heading up the ‘committee to force me into being a werewolf’ when I still sat on the fence. Now that I’d agreed, he had to find another way to incite dissension in the pack.
    I crossed my arms and tightened my jaw. “So, what are you demanding then? That Aiden and I split up? Will that satisfy the pack, or you?”
    Micah waved his hand at me as if batting away a troublesome fly. “Oh, we know that won’t happen. You’re his mate no matter what you are.”
    “Then what, Micah? It’s clear that nothing he or I do will please you.”
    “Well, if you must know, I think we need new leadership.”
    And there it was, the truth!  It all boiled down to a power grab, and Micah was the one ready to snatch it up. “And I’m assuming you want to take that role?”
    “I have the support of many prominent members of the pack.” He looked over his shoulder to Brady. “I’m a pure wolf. I was born and raised in this pack. I meet all of the criteria, so, yes. I do think I would make a good candidate for Alpha.”
    I shot Brady my best what the fuck look. “Are you seriously considering this? Backing him instead of your brother?”
    Brady held up his hands. “I have not officially given my support to —”
    “Hold on,” I interrupted. “Not one day