She dials the number, hands trembling, chewing her lip until I’m sure it has to hurt. It doesn’t seem like she feels it, like she feels anything but anticipation and excitement. Once the number is in the phone, I take it from her, turning on the speaker before opening an app and setting a three-minute timer. She makes a face but is smart enough not to argue. She’s getting what she wants, isn’t she?
The voice on the other end is full of suspicion. “Hello?”
Instantly, tears fill her eyes. “Declan? It’s me.”
“Jesus, Tara.” I hear his relief ringing loud and clear, and for the briefest moment, I envy her. I used to have a family. I had a brother who would have been just as relieved to hear my voice, and vice versa. What I wouldn’t give to have him bust my balls one more time. “Are you all right? Has anyone hurt you?”
I wish she wouldn’t glance at me, like every tense moment isn’t replaying in her memory all at once. “No, nobody’s hurt me. I’m fine. Perfectly okay.”
“I’m not sure if I believe that.” Of course, because he has to be a hard-ass. “Is he listening now? How do I know you’re not saying what he wants you to say?”
If I bite my tongue much harder, it will fall off. Her tone softens even further, full of love. “I didn’t end up here because I wanted to go on a fun little hike, do you hear what I’m saying? We’re talking about the mating call. That’s why I’m here. No, he hasn’t harmed me at all.” Though she does wince, like she’s remembering being shoved to the ground last night. She didn’t seem to mind it very much at the time.
“Dammit, Tara. Why didn’t you talk to me about it before you ran off?” He’s a big brother now, not an alpha, scolding the girl he practically had to raise. I remember her dad’s killing very well. She couldn’t have been more than ten or twelve. “We could’ve helped you deal with it, all of us. Didn’t you trust us enough?”
I point to the timer. The clock is ticking. “We can talk about that later,” she tells him. “I only have so much time. Please make sure everybody knows I’m all right. I’m absolutely fine, and I am so, so sorry I caused anybody any worry. That’s what really hurts…” her voice fades to a choked whisper. “It’s been killing me to think of you guys being worried. I’m going to be fine.”
Her voice tightens. “Listen to me.” Barely restrained emotion rings out in her voice. “Whatever happens, don’t turn this into awar. I’m begging you. Don’t fight over me.” She doesn’t bother wiping away the tear sparkling on her cheek.
“Tara…”
“I mean it. You and Cole and Zeke…” Her voice cracks before she lowers it. “You need each other.”
“I hear you,” he agrees with a sigh. “Be careful.”
“I will be.”
“You had better be,” he growls. Clearly, that’s more for me than it is for her. “When can we see you?”
She looks at me, brows raised expectantly. No. He does not get to dictate the terms of this discussion. “Time’s up,” I announce, ending the call abruptly, leaving her sitting with her mouth open and her eyes wide.
“I still had another minute!” she barks.
“Do I care?”
“Goddamnit!” Her little fist hits the mattress before she almost bounces out of bed. Standing with her hands on her hips, she tosses her long hair over her shoulder and sends a wave of her sweet scent straight at me. “Don’t you get it? You’re not the only one worried about the outcome of this, and I’m not only talking about my own neck. I’m trying to help my pack through this the way you’re trying to help your clan. You’re making it impossible!”
“You told your brother everything he needed to hear. There is nothing else you could say that would change anything, and I don’t want to hear any more arguments about it.”
“You might be your pack’s alpha, but you’re not my alpha. I don’t need to follow your rules.”
Resentment burns with the heat of a thousand suns as I lean in across the bed, so close she clearly gulps. “Say that again,” I murmur. “But remember, little wolf, that I can decide to break this little body anytime I want.”
“Is that supposed to scare me?”
“That’s your business,” I growl, gratified by the way she gulps again. Even now, she’s so damn appealing—watching her throat work does something to me.
“I’m going to take a shower.” When she makes up her mind, she sets her jaw in a way that’s equal parts impressive and adorable. It makes me want to pat her on the head.
I want to do a lot of other things. All it took was a few moments of her remembering who’s holding the reins to wake up all of the desire I indulged in last night. It wasn’t enough. Nothing short of delivering the mating bite will be enough.I can’t. I won’t.
She’s barely out of the room when a new text comes through from Declan.You bring her to the meeting, unharmed, or you can kiss your ass goodbye.So much for avoiding violence. Not that I believed he would.
“What are you doing?” She turns to me, watching from the doorway after I’ve followed her to the bathroom, and folds her arms over her chest. “What? You need to guard me again?”
“After the stunt you pulled last night? Would you blame me?” The question takes some of the wind out of her sails. Her shoulders drop along with her gaze. “It just so happens I could use a shower myself.”
That did it. Her bottom lip almost disappears under her teeth. She can’t pretend. Her craving for me outweighs anything negative she feels. She isn’t strong enough to fight it. Neither am I.
