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“Because of me,” Jessa said, pushing herself out of the chair she was in. “I’m so glad it was just me.”
“She’s a wolf.” Ellen’s voice caused an instant reaction in Mal. Olivia could almost hear his teeth grinding. “Jessa is not,” Ellen finished.
Finn was helping Jessa up, too preoccupied to realize Ellen was in imminent danger of having her throat ripped out. “After ten years, you’d think we wouldn’t still be learning new thing
s daily.” Finn shook his head. “I’m glad you’re okay, Olivia.”
“Me, too.” She tugged Mal’s arm, willing him to snap out of it.
Mal stared down at her, the desire to kill and protect burning in his dark eyes.
She slipped her arms around his waist and pressed her head against his shoulder. If she said something, his discomfort would be obvious to everyone, and Ellen would have a field day.
His sigh was deep, but his arm draped across her shoulders. “Plans?” he asked.
Finn glanced between the two of them then shook his head. “Talk.”
Mal nodded.
“Food first, please?” Olivia asked. She could plan and strategize, talk about full moons and risky pregnancies—whatever needed doing, she was up to it. Her energy level was high and her outlook on life had never been so bright. She, they, could handle whatever came their way—she knew it. And it was amazing. But she also really needed food. “I can cook.”
“Of course you can.” Ellen made no attempt to lower her voice.
Mal growled. “Jessa. Let me kill her.”
Jessa frowned.
Finn’s garbled curse was hard. “Shit, Mal.”
Ellen was staring at Mal, her small smile hard and taunting. As much as Olivia wanted to put the woman in her place, Finn was keeping her around. And that, for now, was the only reason Olivia needed to leave her be. For now.
Mal, on the other hand, was losing it.
“Mal.” Olivia placed a hand on his chest. She lowered her voice, standing on tiptoe. “She’s trying to get to you. Look at her. Watch her. She wants to fight you.” If they hadn’t been mates, she might have been threatened by the other woman. She was beautiful and exotic, radiating a lethal confidence that both impressed and repelled Olivia.
Mal leveled a lethal glare at the woman. “Why?” he ground out.
“To divide the pack?” Olivia looked at him. “Drive you crazy? Because she’s an evil bitch? I don’t know.”
Mal’s gaze fell to hers, a stunned smile on his lips. “You said ‘bitch.’”
She shook her head. She didn’t curse, ever. “I did not.”
“Yes, you did.” He chuckled.
God, she loved his smile. If this was what happened when she used bad words, she’d have to rethink it. “I didn’t. But I really don’t like her.”
“Me, neither.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “But you did say it.”
“Whatever.” She sighed, tugging him into the kitchen with her. “Who’s hungry?”
“There’s chili on the stove and cornbread muffins. Or there’s some beef stew in the fridge.” Anders followed them, lifting the lid on the pot. “About ready.”
Olivia smiled. “That smells amazing.”
Mal’s arm snaked around her waist, pulling her back against his chest.
“Want some?” Anders asked.
