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“Well, since the other omegas don’t have that ability, I guess we’ll never know how true that is. But you have to know I wouldn’t do something like that unless it’s a matter of self-defense.”
Dani shrugged. “I’d like to believe that, Bree, but some of the things you do … I sometimes wonder if your gift asks too much of you. I mean, you rose in power very fast—that alone would be hard. Your ability to read thoughts can’t be easy, and then you also have the gift to induce emotions into people. Some omegas would find it difficult to cope. Especially when they don’t have someone to compare notes with about those extra little abilities. I worry for you. I truly do.”
The hairs on the back of Bree’s neck stood up, because she sensed where this was going. “Don’t you dare.”
Dani’s eyes widened. “What?”
“Don’t you dare put a little case together to suggest I’m ‘overwhelmed’ or ‘going bad’ or some shit like that just to get me out of the way.”
“You don’t often feel overwhelmed? Your shields aren’t weakening? They don’t fall in your sleep?”
“No, no, and no.” Bree raked a hand through her hair. “God, I can’t believe you’d actually stoop so low as to try and build a bullshit case like this.” Her cat was livid.
“I’m not conspiring against you, Bree, I’m just concerned for you.”
“You can’t honestly think I’d buy that.” Laughing a humorless laugh, Bree slanted her head. “What happened to you? You weren’t always like this. It’s almost like you lost a piece of yourself somewhere along the way.”
Dani’s face hardened. “I’m who I’ve always been.”
“No, you’re not. I get no support, no help, and you’re actively working against me. I wish I could go home knowing you’d think hard on that and try to change. But you won’t, and that just makes the whole thing sadder.” Bree pushed to her feet and skirted the table.
Dani rose from her chair. “We’re not finished here.” She grabbed Bree’s arm.
Bree shook her off and hissed in her face. “You going to make me stay? Try it.”
Cheeks reddening, Dani jutted out her chin. “You will stay because, as your primary, I’m ordering you to stay. You’ll show me the respect I’m due.”
“And what have you ever done to earn it?” Before the other omega could in any way respond, Bree stalked out of the room. Whatever the daycare workers saw on her face made them part like the red sea as she marched out of the center.
Outside, she sucked in a calming breath, knowing better than to let Dani’s antics get to her. But it was hard to cool down when she was also dealing with Drina’s antics.
Leaning against a lamppost waiting for her, Alex frowned. “What’s wrong?” He crossed straight to her, every muscle tense. “Bree?”
She took another long breath. “It’s just Dani being Dani. I’ll tell you about it when we get back to the store.” Not right there, where any pride mates passing could overhear.
Minutes later, they were back at Pot of Gold. Alex shepherded her into his office and folded his arms. “Tell me.”
So Bree did.
Alex growled. “That fucking bitch.”
“She just keeps pushing and pushing. It’s almost like she wants me to challenge her. Which would be dumb of her, since I could kick her ass on my worst day.”
A muscle in his jaw flexed. “I need to have a little chat with—”
“No. This is for me to deal with, Alex. I know you want to help, but all you’d do by meddling is make me look weak.”
“You expect me to stand back and do nothing?”
“Yes, just as you and Vinnie expect me to stand back while you all go check out any tips he’s been given.”
Alex’s mouth snapped shut. “That’s different.”
“No, it’s not. Not even a little. Compared to everything else that’s going on right now, Dani’s no more than a minor hindrance.” Sighing, Bree rubbed at her forehead. “She never used to be this way, you know. She taught me how to shield. Helped me learn to control my abilities. She wasn’t mean to me, didn’t put me down. Well, not until I was around twelve.”
“Because at that point, you were growing in power at a fast rate. Everyone talked about how possible it was that you’d be stronger than her. Dani would just smile and say it wasn’t likely, but then you developed those abilities that the other omegas don’t have. It was obvious she wasn’t happy about it, so she put a negative spin on it.
“She’s spent years trying to convince you that you’re bad at what you do. You’re not, Bree. You just work differently than she does. It’s not wrong that you went your own way. And it’s good for the pride that they all have someone they’d feel comfortable going to. You appeal more to some while Dani appeals more to others. As primary, she should recognize how that benefits the pride; she should want what’s best for us all. But she’s too damn scared of losing her position.”
