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I’ll Sass If I Want To
A Sassy Ever After Story
Pride Command #3
By Michele Bardsley
In the world of cat shifters, the rules are clear: no cross-species breeding, no mingling with vampires, and never, ever challenge the Pride’s commands…
Outcast werecougar Gareth Harper, his pregnant human mate Angela Ross, and their partner, vampire Thomas Moore have teamed up with Aris and Kane, two former guardians of the Harper colony, and their mate, fledgling vampire Cyn Salias. On the run together, they’re determined to steer clear of the Harper Pride’s alpha and his new partner-in-evil, a very powerful, pissed-off vampire.
The fugitives find temporary shelter in an abandoned town, but soon find themselves in even worse trouble. It turns out that Hellion Hill is the home of magic-wielding creature that attacks at night. The problem? Once you enter Hellion Hill’s borders, you can’t leave—thanks to the monster’s imprisoning spell.
When Angela goes into labor, the imminent arrival of her child complicates matters even more. Their only choice is to destroy the centuries-old creature and break its hold on the area—before their relentless and vengeful enemies find them.
Dedication
To my BFF and partner in crime Renee George
Chapter One
“Hellion Hill?” Cyn Salias’ skepticism showed in her voice as the driver of the mini-van, vampire Thomas Moore, took the turn-off to their so-called safe place. Since the town was accessed by a questionable road that wound through dense woods, Cyn assumed the only people who ventured down this way were either lost or crazy. “Who names their town Hellion Hill?”
“Someone with a shitty sense of humor,” commented Aris, her handsome werecat mate. He had blue eyes, wavy brown hair, and a wicked smile.
“Or someone who wishes to warn away others,” said Kane, Cyn’s other handsome werecat mate. Kane was taller and broader than Aris, his eyes dark and his frame almost too large to fit comfortably in the minivan. A girl with two powerful shifters bonded to her had very little to worry about. The fact she was a bad-assed assassin—if she did say so herself—made them a strong trio. And they’d partnered with another strong trio: vampire Thomas, werecat Gareth Harper, and their human mate Angela Ross. Between the six of them they’d stayed well ahead of the werecat asshole and the bitch vampire tracking them.
“Lord-a-mercy,” said Angela in her honey-smooth Southern voice. She sat in the seat ahead of them, trying to get comfortable. She was nine months pregnant and could go into labor at any second, so Cyn doubted the woman could find any spot restful. “I’d kill for some ice cream. I could eat a whole gallon of chunky caramel chocolate.”
“What about pickles?” teased Cyn.
“Yuck. I didn’t like pickles when I wasn’t preggers. No way is a child of mine eating pickles.”
“Werecats aren’t fond of pickles,” said Gareth from the front passenger seat. “Or cucumbers in general. So, I don’t think our child will like them, either.”
Cyn knew that when Gareth used “our” he was referring collectively to him, Thomas, and Angela. It might’ve been Gareth who impregnated his mate, but the baby was the progeny of all three. Cyn would never be able to have children. She was a vampire, like Thomas, but even if she were human again, Kane and Aris were infertile. It was why they had never mated with one of their own kind. She would never give birth to a child and, for a quick second, she felt a tiny pang of jealousy. She put those useless feelings away. She’d be the best aunt ever to the little one and enjoy mommyhood vicariously through Angela.
“We’re here,” announced Thomas as the SUV bounced along the pitted dirt road.
Cyn looked at the side window. Had these people never heard of paved roads? As she examined the town, she realized Hellion Hill was too small and isolated to merit a blacktop. Hell, there wasn’t even a stoplight, just one lone four-way stop.
While it was late afternoon and the sun was unimpeded by clouds, Cyn wasn’t worried. The myth of vampires going poof in sunlight wasn’t exactly true. Most could tolerate indirect UV rays, and a little sunblock went a long way to prevent skin burning when a vampire was exposed to a full-on blast of sunlight. Not only could Cyn hang out in the daytime hours without any real consequences, but she could also see herself in mirrors, thank you very much. But other aspects, a blood diet, susceptibility to pure silver, and being warded off by garlic—all that shit was true.
“How did you find this place again, Thomas?” asked Cyn.
“He used Google to search for creepy towns no one wants to visit,” teased Angela.
“Close,” said Thomas. “Tristan Wolfe told me about it.”
They’d all met in the Blue Creek pack’s territory. The Wolfes had offered sanctuary to Thomas, Gareth, and Angela. Cyn, Kane, and Aris had secretly encroached on the Wolfe’s lands—but luckily, no blood had been shed. Cyn had never met the Wolfes, but she knew Thomas and Gareth respected them deeply.
“Oo-wee. Tristan Wolfe, the Blue Creek alpha.” Angela turned around and grinned at Cyn. “For an older guy, he’s hotter than Saturday night barbecue.”
Cyn laughed. “I see your hormones are revved to maximum.”
“Anyway,” continued Thomas, “he told me about this place. He said it’s been couple of decades
