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I shiver, not at all intimidated but hating the coldness in his tone.
I look out the window. “No, it wasn’t. But it wasn’t right, either. There are rules and discussions and proper ways things are done. Like not stepping in on another pack’s omega.” I snap back, matching his tone.
Acton stands there for a while. I feel his temper cool. “I’ll bring your things up for you soon.” There’s curiosity in his tone, but the anger is gone, and that is confusing. He should be furious, murderous.
I’ve been assigned a role to play in this performance, and I don’t know what it is, I don’t know what my speaking parts are. I think it’s time I found out.
I leave my room, determined. I don’t want to ask Acton; I think he will smooth it over. Jet might try to charm me into doing something else, which leaves Gold or Taylor.
I find them both sitting in a separate sitting room, with papers in their hands, talking quietly. Taylor’s crisp white shirt is undone three buttons deep, but even though he should look more relaxed, he simply looks more dangerous. I knock on the door, shut it behind me, and then cross over to them and sit in one of the two unoccupied seats.
Taylor watches me with curiosity, but Gold is cautious. He probably remembers what I’m like. I smile at him, and he scowls even harder.
“What happened to Barren?”
Gold explodes towards me, leaning over the chair, breathing hard, his lips drawn back from his teeth, and his eyes just this side of sane. My heart pounds, but I hold my quizzical expression and don’t let myself move. I just sit there, relaxed and calm, and hold eye contact. Every instinct is screaming at me to get the hell away from him.
“Gold.” Taylor barks out.
We both wait, while Gold eases himself back, taking a white-knuckled grip on the armchair.
I finally transfer my gaze to Taylor.
“She doesn’t get to know that!” Gold snarls with more aggression than I’ve ever seen. I stare at him, my eyes wide. Not just what happened to Barren. What happened to Gold? What happened to the boy I loved?
“What makes you say that, Miss Scarlet?”
“Don’t do that. It’s a power move fishing for information. We both know that he shows multiple signs of trauma, so don’t treat me like I’m stupid. What I’m more interested in knowing is what game you four are playing.” I lean forward on my seat and glare at him.
Taylor glances at Gold with an amused grin. “You were right.”
Gold grunts and slouches back in the chair. The anger has drained from him, and all I can see is his revulsion for my presence.
Taylor sits up a bit and leans forward with his elbows on his thighs. “I’m not going to tell you the whole story, Scarlet. You haven’t earned that. But we were a bigger pack, and during their leaving, Bar got hurt.”
I don’t dare look away from his eyes.
“There is something about you, Scarlet Waring, that makes him feel comfortable and safe enough to be himself. We love him enough to be open to any and all suggestions.” Taylor clears his throat. “Even allowing another alpha to touch what is ours. But don’t forget he is ours.”
I force my mouth closed and swallow hard.
“So, just to clarify?”
“Your friendship with Bar is between the two of you.” His eyes harden. “For now.”
I frown and try to think, but I’m just so freaking overwhelmed. I don’t know any pack that would willingly do this. It’s madness.
“By the way, will your pack come in charging on horses claiming unfaithfulness?” Taylor asks suddenly.
I shake my head absently. “My pack won’t come.”
I stand up, my legs feel strange, and my head light.
“Miss Scarlet?”
I hate the way he calls me that, but I hate that I get a thrill every time he does. “Yes?”
“Don’t be surprised if there is…” he rolls his hand, searching for the word, “other attentions from the pack. We are all very much drawn to you.”
