And he hadn’t even told me about his offer or his plan.
It was unacceptable.
“You’re not mating him,” I said out loud, causing Ajax to frown. “We’ll devise a counter. Together.”
“It’s my choice,” Ajax argued. “And his offer?—”
“Is too good to be true,” I interjected. “We’re going to dissect every word. Develop a counter. And if you choose to mate him,then fine. But I won’t let you feel coerced into it because of a shiny deal.”
“I was there for the offer. I can help,” Melek murmured from beside us.
Releasing Ajax, I focused on Melek. “And run back to Typhos with our counter language? No.”
Melek’s eyebrows rose. “You think I would do that?”
“Yes,” I replied instantly. “He’s your priority. Your king.”
“And your mate, too,” Melek shot back, a hint of uncharacteristic annoyance in his tone. “I realize you’re upset that he propositioned Ajax without talking to you first, but you know Typhos would never hurt you, Azazel. Both Ajax and Camillia are extensions of you now, which means he would never hurt them either.”
Cami coughed.
Melek looked at her. “Oh, little angel, he wants to punish you. And yes, that’ll hurt. But he always makes it better. I promise.”
Her eyes widened at the sensual undertones of his words. “He hates me.”
Melek smiled. “He fears you and wants to tame you. Trust me, there’s a difference.”
I frowned, Melek’s commentary betraying Typhos’s true intentions. “That’s why he wants to mate Ajax—to have control over Cami.”
“Obviously,” Melek drawled, surprising me with his candor. He never showed his cards, especially when his hand involved Typhos.
I narrowed my gaze, waiting for him to say more. Because I didn’t trust a candid Melek. He loved his games. I just had to figure out which one he wanted to play now.
“It’s Ty’s way of taking charge of the situation while protecting his circle.” Melek shrugged. “It’s a ratherstraightforward deal, but I love a good counter. So shall we discuss options?”
“Why? So you can share our plans with him?” I tossed back, reiterating my original concern regarding Melek basically spying for Typhos.
“I have no intention of sharing anything, Azazel.” The serious quality of Melek’s tone was very unlike him. “You don’t realize the importance of what we’re creating here because you’re allowing possessive anger to cloud your vision. But Ty’s offer is good for all of us.”
“How?” Cami asked, her coffee mostly gone already. “Tell me how.”
Melek gave her his attention. “Ty’s deal unites us as a circle. It gives you freedom to reside safely in the Hell Fae Realm, grants Ajax status and power, and allows us to better protect the Hell Fae Source.”
“By allowing Typhos to control Cami through her mates,” I reiterated. “That’s what he wants.”
“No, it’s what heneeds,” Melek countered. “Trust takes time, Azazel. Especially when one possesses a history of betrayal.”
My jaw clenched. I didn’t need a lecture on Typhos’s past; I’d lived it. While I understood what was required to gain trust, I didn’t agree with Typhos’s methods. “I won’t let him use Ajax.”
“It’s not about using Ajax. It’s about protecting Ajax,” Melek replied.
“Ajax is also standing right here and more than capable of making decisions for himself,” the male in question deadpanned. “Stop talking for me, Az.”
“I’m not. I’m?—”
Ajax’s mouth silenced me, his kiss so unexpected that I froze, then immediately leaned into him only for him to pull away. “Thank you for trying to protect me. But I can handle this.”
“What do you want to do?” Cami asked, her hand going to Ajax’s shoulder.
