AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I glare up at the man who is, for all intents and purposes, my stepbrother. “When I’m ready, I’ll go back, Gold, and not a minute before.”
He glares at me, and I glare at him. It’s just like old times.
He leans in close, pressing his cheek against mine. “Stay away from my pack, little sister.” Then he jerks away, leaving me slumped bonelessly against the wall, my legs like jelly, and a familiar miserable ache in my chest.
six
Taylor
I run my finger along my chin and watch the stunning woman sitting across from Acton. She returned to the table flushed and looking like she’d happily murder someone, picked up her spoon, and started eating her dessert with single-mindedness. I haven’t missed the way Barren keeps glancing over at her.
There’s a throbbing need, an awareness coming from our bond. Coming from the whole pack.
It’s nice to be able to study her up close, to get to see what she’s like away from the city. I find myself liking her even more.
I exchange another glance with Jet, who’s sitting back smugly. With a silent jab at the bond, I raise a brow at him, silently asking him what he thinks. He glances at Gold, who looks half rabid. I narrow my eyes, rapidly going through the information I know about Gold. Our bitter, loner of a pack mate had one love before he met us, a love who obliterated his heart.
Scarlet is the one. Gold’s first love. And he is not taking this well.
I glance back at Scarlet, really looking her over. She’s all curves with high cheekbones and sparkling dark green eyes. Long, glossy black hair like a raven’s wing. She’s athletic with breasts that look like the perfect handful and an ass that is a perfect curve for my teeth. The woman is my wet dream. Smart, beautiful, strong, a scent match.
I rest my chin in my hand and transfer my gaze to Barren. Every time I look at him, I can’t help but feel relief and guilt. But seeing him like this, curious, hesitant, but at least with a bit of animation, gives me hope. For the first time, I’m able to look at him and allow myself to feel that attraction, that spark of desire I’ve been suppressing, without guilt.
Jet catches my eye, and I nod. He’s right, there’s something about this woman that’s bringing him out of the shell he exiled himself to. And that is worth fighting for.
Fighting Gold for.
Although, watching him now, I’m not certain if the resentment he’s wallowing in is his true feelings.
All that’s coming through the bonds from Acton is curiosity and an attraction he’s not even trying to hide.
But…she said she had a pack. This is wrong. Technically. I glance again at Barren. But what wouldn’t I do to save my omega from his own pain? To coax him out of the shell. And if it hurts her? Can I do that? Can I risk it? I let all the ambience of the evening settle in, allowing my mind to capture and throw scenarios.
I look into the future, and I start to let a plan formulate.
Barren laughs at something she says, and it captures all of our attention. We zero in on that miracle sound like it’s the most precious noise in creation.
She must sense it because she looks up, flicking chiding glances at Acton and I. I lean back, reaching for my coffee cup, and sip while I watch.
She lets out a husky laugh, leaning back, showing the white column of her throat. I itch to sink my teeth into it. I sit up suddenly. No, that’s not right, I don’t get feelings like that. There are rules and a line.
She stands up. We all stand half a moment behind her, like puppets, even Gold, though he looks murderous.
“May I use the bathroom?”
Jet chuckles and steps towards her. “Come, I’ll show you where it is.”
She glances up, meets my eyes, blushes, and looks down. The urge to bite her in multiple places pushes at me. I strangle it down and watch as she leaves the room.
“Playing with fire,” Gold mutters.
Barren sits there with a stunned look on his face. I frown at him. “You okay, baby?”
He blinks and glances at me. “Yeah, I’m okay. I just…” Guilt fills the bond, so potent, so toxic, it strangles me, and then it’s muted as he slams the link closed again.
I frown down at my shaking hands and force myself to breathe evenly. Acton shifts on the chair next to me, while Jet slides across into Scarlet’s seat and leans his head against Barren, whispering in his ear.
Scarlet returns a moment later, her steps falter as she sees Barren and Jet, but she easily changes direction and moves to the glass windows, looking out at the view.
