AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Nathan’s teeth are still down, and he’s seconds away from a shift. If he does, and he attacks Ross, we’ll end up in a stand-off between the packs. Rex looks at me over Nathan’s head as he struggles to keep a hold of him. I see the plea in his eyes as everyone else moves closer, ready to get involved if things get uglier, which is looking more and more likely by the second. He’s asking me ‘Are you going to sort this out, or am I?’
The pressure is too much. I wrap my arms around myself and shrink back. When I stare blankly at Rex, panicking about what to do, I see the disappointment in his face right before he bellows out across the car park.
“Stop!”
A blast of his alpha’s aura hits everyone full force and I’m reminded how my brother said Rex was one of the strongest alphas he’d ever met. He might not have the title to go with it, but there isn’t anyone else here who outranks him. Every wolf from his pack immediately submits. Except Nathan, who stubbornly remains standing tall, but I can tell by his gritted teeth and clenched fists that it’s a struggle.
“It’s okay. Stand down,” I say quietly to Ross in the eery silence that follows, and he nods before stepping back, concern still clear in his expression.
Nathan’s eyes lock onto mine and I can’t look away. Longing and desire shine bright now that his anger is dying away, but there’s more than that. Heat. Passion. A hint of betrayal. He’s looking at me like he wants to possess my very soul. The fire in those amber eyes is mesmerizing. There’s no faking the way he’s looking at me. He really does believe I’m his mate. And he’s hurt I don’t feel the same. How can I doubt how he feels about me?
The steady low hum of his wolf’s growl is making my body vibrate with need. Is this primal attraction, or more?
“Maya. Are you alright?”
Ross’s question breaks the spell, and I blink hard as I turn to face him. The unspoken question still hangs heavy in the air, but he’s clever enough not to voice it out loud with an audience. If I tell him what Nathan believes, he’ll tell Dean and my brother will be here immediately. More pressure. More questions. Which means even more people looking for answers and waiting for a decision. As the silence stretches on, Rex steps in again.
“Right, I need a drink after that. Everyone, let’s go.” He places his huge body in Nathan’s path. “Not you. I’m not letting the pack go to complete shit in the few days Cooper’s gone. You need to stay here and calm down.”
Leah edges up beside me and places a comforting hand on my arm, gently giving it a squeeze. Kim lingers nearby, her face grim after watching the chaos that just unfolded. She’s waiting for Leah and Rex, but watches Nathan closely. No doubt the conversation at the bar will be his reaction to me and what it means, especially after all the attention he paid me at the party. I’m sure people were already assuming we spent the night together, but Nathan’s possessive display is over the top for a guy who’s been happy to play the field. Kim’s assessing gaze drifts over to me and she gives me a weak smile, clearly confused about what is going on.
I rub my arms against the chill I suddenly feel as a breeze blows across my exposed skin. I don’t like feeling exposed and vulnerable, but that’s exactly how I feel with the pack speculating about something I’m not even sure of myself.
“What do you want to do, Maya? I can stay here with you if you’re not up for going out anymore,” Leah asks, her kind face full of compassion.
I shake my head and look at Nathan over her shoulder. He's staring off into the distance, standing back to give me space. His jaw is clenched and every muscle in his body is tense. Every aspect of his body language is closed off and his expression is grim. He thinks I’m going to go with the others and leave him alone and miserable, rejected again.
“No. You go. I think Nathan and I need to have a chat.”
That’s the understatement of the century.
Relief flashes across his features as he watches me warily, inching closer to my side, but still giving me plenty of room. Rex merely nods before taking Leah’s hand to lead her away and leave us in peace. Neither of us moves as we watch them go, each waiting for the other to say something first.
“I’m sorry you saw me like that.”
Once again, he surprises me. I thought he’d demand to know why I didn’t step in to defend him and claim him as my own. Instead, he’s worried about me. Just like a proper mate would be. Nathan kicks the ground in front of him, sending a few bits of gravel skittering across the car park. He’s frustrated with himself, but it was always going to happen.
“It’s okay.”
An alpha male will never tolerate another male touching his mate. Seeing his unclaimed mate being tossed around by Ross, an unmated wolf that he doesn’t know, frankly, it’s amazing he didn’t shift and tear Ross to shreds.
“Nothing about this is okay.”
Sighing, he looks up at the stars glittering in the inky black sky above us. His melancholy is palpable, and I ache just looking at his sad face. He looks defeated. It’s a beautiful evening, yet neither of us are in the mood to enjoy it.
“Your pack are guests at our house. I shouldn’t have reacted like that. If Rex hadn’t been there…”
He finally looks at me and shakes his head, disappointed with himself. Taking a chance, I move to his side and lean my head against his shoulder, linking my arm through his.
“But he was,” I reassure him. Nathan says nothing and goes back to staring at the sky, deep in thought.
“You didn’t say anything. You still don’t think you’re my mate.”
It’s not a question or an accusation. He’s simply stating facts, but the defeated tone of his voice breaks me. It feels like a knife to the gut. Knowing I’m adding to his pain makes me feel even worse than I did before.
“I believe you think I’m your mate. And I like you enough to see where this goes and whether I’ll feel it in time.”
It’s all I can give him right now, but is it enough?
