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He looks over his shoulder. “I thought you’d want me to leave.”
“Do you want to leave?” I ask evasively.
He cocks his head to the side, eyes narrowed, and then turns and walks to the other side of the bed, pulls back the covers and slides in next to me.
“Eat.” He says instead.
I pick up the cold piece of toast and start chewing on it.
“Why were you going to leave?” I ask.
He’s quiet for a long time, and I don’t think he will answer. “In my previous experience, pre-pack, the encounters I had didn’t fare afterwards.” His words are careful, thought out, but I still sense an underlying hurt. Or maybe it’s mine.
I feel a flash of rage. “They wanted you to leave because all you were was a conquest? Because you were different? Ticking a checkbox?”
He glances at me as he picks up a spoonful of eggs and brings it to my lips. He doesn’t even try to suppress a small smile. “Yes. Are you angry for me now, Scarlet?” His smile widens.
I glance away, rolling my eyes, and take the mouthful of food that’s presented. I don’t know why they keep feeding me like this. It’s disconcerting, but at this moment, useful because I can delay my response to his question.
I chew thoughtfully. “I scare betas. Omegas want males, mostly, or packs.” I wrinkle my nose. “And alphas see me as a threat. So, after a few disasters, I didn’t really…” I roll my hand.
He grips my chin and presses a kiss to my lips. “You’re not a conquest to me.”
I smile, but it wavers as my doubts roll in. “You have a pack, though. Why are you all not upset or feeling territorial about this? Gold is the only one who’s losing his shit.” I feel like I keep probing this question, and I’m not getting the right answers.
Acton goes still and sets the spoon down. He shifts the plate to the side table and turns slightly so he can look me straight in the eyes. “Make no mistake, Gold wants you as bad as the rest of us do.” Acton murmurs. “He just needs to take the stick out of his ass.”
I chuckle and lean into him. “This can’t last. It’s only for while the storm rages, then we all have to go back to reality.”
He tenses and then relaxes again.
“Get some sleep, little wolf. Bar has a whole evening planned.”
I want to ask details about this evening, but I find myself nodding off, falling into sleep, this time, dreaming of safe places and a man who smells like coffee whispering nonsense that makes me smile.
twelve
Acton
The alpha in my arms is strong. Fierce, as aggressive as Gold, as smart as Taylor. She’s brave like Jet. And she’s hurt like Bar. I gaze down at her and smooth out the frown on her forehead. Everything in me wants her, wants to protect her, take care of her, draw her out and test her. Please her.
I lick my lips and taste her on me once more.
I’ve been watching her, trying to figure her out, trying to understand her. What has become painfully clear is that Scarlet has a mask. A mask of calm, peace, tranquility where she shows the world that nothing can touch her, reach her. Why does this beautiful woman wear a mask so thick?
But under the mask, she’s like the storm that’s raging outside. I feel like I've just caught a glimpse through a window, and it was enough to completely change my perspective.
What kind of life has she lived to make her like this?
I study her again, searching, making sure. Then I carefully get out of bed, get dressed, and seek Taylor out. I find him sitting in his office with his fingers steepled. I’m sure people who wouldn’t know him would think he’s fine, but I can see the small lines of stress around his lips and eyes. The navy shirt is the one Bar bought him, and he only wears it when he’s troubled. What is going on with him? Will he tell me if I ask? Even his scent, normally so powerful and strong, is muted. I sit opposite him and wait until he acknowledges me.
The room is dark and sparse. The wood desk and bookcase just seem to make it colder. It used to be filled with light, and colour, but that was before. Now, his office is a stark reflection of our lives.
“Well?”
“She’s fine. Settled.”
Taylor arches a brow.
