"I came to talk, and I'm not leaving. If you don't open the door, I'll stay out in the chill."
"Wolves don't get cold."
I smiled slightly. Hints of the 'Know It All' were still there. "Henry's getting released soon. If you don't let me in, I'll be here when he comes."
A curse and hurried footsteps approached before he unlocked the door. Dark shadows under his faint-green eyes suggested he hadn't slept. "I hate you."
He didn't mean it, I hoped. I took too long to find him, and he mated with another man. I heard hate and love were different sides of the same coin. If Donna ever remembered me, she'd agree.
"Can I come in?"
"You shouldn't."
"It's not a no." The cabin was immaculate but had the feel of someone who cleaned, so their mate wouldn't yell or do anything worse. It was a place to live, and nothing more. I don't know what a 'Mike cabin' should look like but it wasn't this. It needed psychedelic black-light posters and random ESP books. PerhapsThe Doorsplaying on a record player or a new 8-track. There would be hippie food in a bowl and a smoldering joint. All the weird stuff but comforting because it was his.
I might not be his Alpha, but damn if I didn't feel like it. "I love you."
Other people might have said the same or buried themselves in my arms. Instead, he turned around, breathing heavily. After several seconds, he stood straight and turned. "I wish you could have said it earlier, but… yes. I love you too."
After a few short heartbeats, the old Mike was there: the man who explored andlived. "But it's too late and notyourproblem, because I'm the one who said yes to him. I have to deal with it. Go away. He can break steel if he tries and smash wood when he doesn't. He's stronger than any human and most shifters. He'll kill you."
"Maybe. I came to tell you two things. One? You drive me crazy and ruined my life because I couldn't imagine a life without you. Two? The Mike I know and remember? He's not here, but I'll find him. I've turned my back on too much, including myself, but I won't do that to you."
His eyes reddened. "Go. Please."
"I can't if someone's in danger." I gestured to his wrist. The bruise stayed, despite his super healing. "I told the sheriff and your useless pack leader."
"Told them what?"
"That I'm willing to fight him to the death."
The horror on his pale face sent mental ice over me.
"You don't have to pickmeas your Alpha, but I'll make damn sure he's not yours."
***
"Oh…" Kim turned to Mike. "I'm sorry you had to go through that, but how romantic! My Alpha doesn't sayanythingwhen people smirk at my hair."
"Do you want him to get into fistfights?" I asked flatly.
"No, but some gesture!"
"Let him know it bothers you, then see if he does anything. Did you tell him how you feel?" I asked.
"No, but he should smell it on me."
Mike watched me like a hawk. "Yes, it is typical Omega behavior. You make us figure out what you're thinking."
"Wolves cansmellemotions, so it shouldn't be hard," said Mike.
Kim gestured to us. "It's obvious you won."
"Nobody wins when there's a war or fight, at least not most times," I said. "Two guys fighting led to multiple murders, dead families, and me not seeing Mike for years."
***
Chapter Sixteen
