A Fang in the Sass: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (Sassy Ever After Book 6) Read Free

clothes and the best of everything, wanted to remain leader was beyond her. Yet, he was at Embraced quite a bit. Maybe he was more into being a figurehead.
    By all blood rights, this clan belonged to her. She was a direct descendant from the original queen of the night, Miralla Abarca. No other blood-born vampires lived on the continent. Technically, she owned every clan in North American who had any Abarca blood in it, but she wasn’t crazy. Hell, two clans were more than enough for her.
    Maybe she should take inspiration from her grandfather. Maybe this was her opportunity to remake the clan the way he wanted it to be. A people living with high morals who believed in helping each other when down and celebrating when up.
    A big smile brightened her face. Nope. Damon wasn’t going to be happy to see her.
     

 
     
    FOUR
     
    Finally, the SUV stopped in front of the clan house. Aria had sat for hours and was ready to walk around. Several members came out of the house to welcome her. The people here were nice; she had no problem admitting that. It was just…spooky.
    From the group standing on the front porch to greet them, she heard a tiny voice firmly say, “Move it. Step aside, sonny, or I’ll pinch your cute ass.” One of the men yelped and jumped to the side. “Not fast enough, boy. On my way back, get in front of me again so I can spank those tight cheeks. They real nice, they are.”
    Aria let out a laugh. Maree was her favorite person here. She went back to her grandfather’s time with the clan. She sorely missed the spunky old lady. Maybe she’d come up north for a while. Aria hurried to the wooden steps.
    Maree wobbled to the front of the group to meet Aria already standing on the porch. “Bend down here and give me sugar. Shit, woman, them pants is so tight, I can see your religion. And those high-heels come clear up to my boobs. How tall you gotta be?” Aria giggled and hugged the feisty vampire.
    “High enough for everyone else to remember who’s in charge.” The woman smelled like freshly baked bread. One of her favorite scents.
    “Damn straight. If it takes those torture devices to do that, then hunker down and get ‘er done.” Aria laughed again. She’d forgotten about Maree’s southern charm and way of speaking. She’d need someone to translate half of what she said. “Now come inside. It’s cold enough to freeze a tit off a frog.” Maree had her hand, dragging her toward door.
    At the edge of the group, she noticed Damon tell Marxius and Wynther to put their things in the guest house off to the side. She liked that much better than staying in the house with semi-strangers.
    The old woman sat them on the sofa. “There now. Much better.” She snuggled into the cushion. Aria worried that she was so small, she’d disappear down a crack. When she looked up, her old eyes shined. “When I heard Damon say you’re comin’ to town, that just dilled my pickle.”
    Aria looked around for help deciphering. Someone mouthed made her happy . “I’m thrilled to be here, too, Maree. I’ve missed your zest for life.”
    “Oh, pshaw, child. Your problem is you’re holding out on your mate.” Aria startled, sitting up straight.
    “How did you know that?” she whispered to the old woman.
    “This ain’t my first rodeo, girl. I know that smell. And that’s why you’re not happy.” She pointed a gnarly finger at her. “Just screw him and get on with your lives.” Responses ranged from gasps to belly laughter. “I mean, really. If you don’t like each other after that, then go your separate ways.” Maree rolled her eyes. “You’re treating this as if it’s life or death. It’s not. I assure you.” The woman’s fingers patted her hand.
    “I can always count on you giving it straight up, Maree.”
    The elder rose from the couch. “You got that right. I don’t crap talk well.” Maree waved her arm through the air. “Come on, everyone. We gotta leave them alone to bullshit before