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My spine straightened as I looked between the two men again. “This can be done in private,” I hissed, feeling my anger rising.
“It doesn't need to be, sweetheart.” My father glanced at me then and said in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear, “And when a new mating occurs in our close-knit community, it’s something we should know and celebrate… right?” There was almost a disapproving tone in that last word, and apparently I wasn’t the only one who picked up on it. Because the low warning sound that came from Tucker had every male in the room shifting on their feet in unease.
“Don’t talk to my mate that way.”
I felt my eyes widen at Tucker’s tone, at the threat in his voice. No one talked to the Alpha that way.
The council members stepped closer to the Alpha. The guards moved closer to Tucker.
“Is that right?” my father prompted with this amused tone in his voice. “You think you can tell me anything that has to do with my daughter?”
“She’s my mate.”
There were more hushed murmurs.
“You should have told me first,” the Alpha said, standing to his full height and staring down at Tucker.
“I planned on telling you, Dad,” I whispered.
“No,” he said and pointed a finger at Tucker. “He should have come to me from the moment he knew what you were. He should have asked for my blessing.”
Tucker snorted and crossed his big arms over his chest. “She’s my mate, and I don’t have to fucking ask anyone—Alpha or not—to claim what is rightfully mine.”
I bristled at that. “Excuse me?” All eyes went to me. “I’m not a piece of property, Tucker. No one owns me.”
He took a step closer, his expression softening. “I didn't mean it like that, Mia.”
I looked at my father, who wore this self-satisfied smirk on his face, as if he were happy I’d just called Tucker out. “And I don’t need your permission or blessing to associate, be with, or mate with anyone.”
My father looked at me, his brows lowering. “I didn’t mean it like that either.”
It was my turn to snort. “You two are more alike than you realize. Parroting each other's words and all.” I was annoyed now.
My father made another low sound, and then he was moving out from behind the table and walking down the podium. Everyone stepped back… everyone except Tucker, who scowled and held his ground. There was no fear coming from my mate either, but then again, he was just as fearless and stubborn as the Alpha.
And if I didn’t do something, things were about to get a lot worse.
8
Mia
I was off the podium and making my way toward the two males who meant everything to me.
“Stop,” I said, pleading, hating that I sounded weak at this moment. I felt sick to my stomach, this roiling nausea that wouldn't stop and in fact kept getting worse the longer I stood here.
Watching. Waiting.
These two wolves thought they were right, who thought they were defending my honor, when in reality they were making things worse. Although I knew they wouldn't fight to the death, the fight that was moments from exploding would be one of dominance. But even if my father reigned supreme, I knew Tucker still wouldn't back down. He’d still fight for me, for the right to claim me.
Any male who found their fated mate would.
So why my father was doing this when every shifter knew this as well confused the hell out of me.
I didn't want either male to get hurt. I didn’t want egos to be wounded, bodies to be bruised, but most of all, I didn’t want them or anyone thinking I couldn’t handle my own life.
“This is ridiculous,'' I said, proud of the strength in my voice. When neither male looked at me, I growled myself. “I’m right here, talking to both of you.”
Tucker was the first to look at me, his eyes brightening, the mating scent pouring off of him even harder. He gave me this gentle smile, and I felt the pull toward him increase until it was hard as hell not going to him and pressing my body to his.
“I’m a grown woman.” I felt my father look my way too and addressed him next. “I can make my own decisions.” I felt strength pour into me. I might not have been able to shift, might never be as strong as a male shifter, but I had my own power simmering beneath the surface. “I am not this weak female you two think me to be.”
“I don’t think that,” my father said, and I shook my head.
“You do think that, or you wouldn’t be acting like a caveman.” I looked at Tucker. “And you.” I pointed at him then. “I am not some piece of property you need to fight to claim. That’s not how this works.” I looked between the two of them again. “That’s not how any of this works.”
