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I don’t understand the dynamic of Paxton’s family. His brother was an abusive asshole. His sister knows he thinks I’m his mate and still sold us out. It’s disheartening to learn about this family’s willingness to hurt each other. My chest aches at the unfamiliarity of their dynamic, but I chalk it up to how it makes me think about my own family.
I would give my own life before I put either of my siblings in danger. I’m sure if asked, they would both say the same about me. Clearly, his family is nothing like mine.
You should go up to Leah’s room. She won’t like it, but tell her what’s going on and she’ll understand. I’ll deal with Callie and work out how fast we need to move. We can’t stay here now.
He’s delusional if he thinks I’m going to do that.
“You kidnapped me to bring me here, and all you’ve done so far is put me in danger. So if you really think I’m going to go wait upstairs and trust you to be the one to handle things, you’re crazier than I thought.” I try to step away from him, but he’s built like freaking stone, his arms impossible to push off of me.
“I just want you to be safe.” He frowns down at me, and I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but I’m suddenly hyperaware of how close our faces are. We stare at each other while I’m wrapped in his embrace, a strange fluttering feeling passing fleetingly through my chest.
“Let me go.” This time when I wiggle, he releases me.
Callie lifts her head and swipes the back of her hands across her cheeks. “I swear I wasn’t trying to put anyone in danger. They turned Baylor, Pax. I thought he…” She trails off, and there’s heartbreak written all over her face.
I hate that she put us at risk, but even more than that, I hate that I can see the betrayal that’s cracked open her heart.
I’m starting to get the gist of what must have happened. Someone she genuinely cared for took advantage and led her like a lamb to slaughter. I don’t think she wanted to put her brother in danger—I think she didn’t realize she was being taken advantage of until it was too late to stop it.
I abandon Paxton’s side and go to Callie. There’s a flash of fear in her dark eyes as I reach for her, but she soothes immediately when I hug her fiercely. She doesn’t need to be berated when she’s clearly hurting.
Tasha.His growl echoes around my head.
I turn my head just enough to make sure he sees the glare I’m sending him.We don’t turn our back on family.
* * *
Paxton finds me standing in the open doorway of the front door after he manages to settle Callie into another of Leah’s guest rooms. He wanted to interrogate her like an enemy, but by some miracle, I convinced him to let it wait until tomorrow. His anger with his sister disturbs me, even more so because my first impression of her is that she’s young and probably more than a little naive.
“I hid the keys,” he barks at me.
I’ve never wanted to strangle anyone as much as I want to strangle Paxton Glass. Even if I was thinking about looking for the keys, I don’t think he deserves any room to judge considering I was forcibly brought here. “I was just thinking we should put the cars in the garage. If anyone does happen to come snooping around, the cars out front are a dead giveaway that Leah has people here.”
“I’ll move them in the morning.”
No apology for jumping to conclusions. No thanks for how considerate I’m being despite the fact that he brought me here against my will.
I don’t understand Paxton. One second, he almost reminds me of Dominic. Protective and possessive; there are worse things to be. Then the next, he treats me like property. Something to own instead of something to cherish.
Jimmy never treated me like that. My wolf whimpers, joining in on the pity party I’m having for myself. I can feel Paxton still hovering behind me, thick waves of tension rolling off of him. He clearly thinks if he takes his eyes off of me, I’ll run. That couldn’t be further from the truth.
I’m tired.
Exhausted.
Life keeps beating me down, and this time I’m tempted to stay down. Every time I think I might be able to get my feet under me again…
I haven’t had any stability since my parents abandoned us, leaving Tevin and me to raise Tess while they disappeared into the unknown. For years, Jimmy gave me as much stability as he could, but being a Beta’s mate comes with a set of its own issues.
Alpha Callum could call for Jimmy any time, and my mate had no choice but to drop everything and go. In our smaller pack, it wasn’t as bad as in the bigger packs where there’s constant fighting and territory disputes to be handled. At least he wasn’t in danger every time he left our bed. Only the last time.
I shut my eyes and try to focus on something else. Something tangible. The breeze softly caressing my skin. The cold marble floor under my bare feet.
It’s the closest I ever get to meditating.
“Are you coming back to bed?” He sounds impatient.
Paxton Glass does not understand me. My wolf can claimmateall she wants, but I see the bigger picture. A mate bond is about bonding two shifters who compliment each other. Who can be what the other needs and strengthen them.
