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“Meredith Molloney is my true mate, and I’ll not have you insulting her.”
The bitch laughed, and this time, when she looked at me, there was madness in her eyes.
I’d never forget the first time I saw madness in a Were. I’d just turned thirteen when the Wayfarers were called to Washington State. I’d been allowed to go because it was supposed to be an easy trip. A fight between two pack members had escalated into a rift in the pack, and the Alpha needed help figuring out what was going on. When we got there, Dad had set a meeting with one of the men in question. Somewhere in the middle of the conversation it was like a switch had flipped. The madness had been visible—radiating out of him—and it’d made my skin crawl. He took out four of our wolves before Miles had finally snapped his neck.
Dealing with Vivian was going to be so much worse.
I fought a shudder as I kept staring her in the eyes. I wasn’t going to look away. Not a chance in hell. Power plays with mad wolves were dangerous, but this was our first encounter. I had to be strong now or she’d always have the upper hand. “Back down. Or we will have a problem.” I tried to keep a calm facade going as we stared each down.
It took what felt like a good ten minutes—but it was probably only seconds—before Vivian finally glanced down.
“True mate? Really, Don. I thought you were too old for such silly fantasies. We all know they don’t exist.”
“It would be better for you if they didn’t exist, but they do,” I said. “I know of two other true matches, and Donovan and I are a third. If you can’t get over that, then you should think about leaving this pack.” Despite what I said, I knew she wouldn’t leave on her own, and even if she did, I couldn’t let her become another pack’s problem.
“She’s my true mate. You’ll respect her as such.” Donovan’s words cracked like a whip.
“You haven’t finished the bond.” Vivian’s glare sent a shiver down my spine “So, I’ll treat her as I do any newbie who has to earn her place in my pack.”
I started to lunge toward her, but Donovan stopped me.
Not right now. One problem at a time, and finding John’s killer has to come first. Let me handle her.
I barely contained a growl. He was right, but this woman was hitting all my nerves. Fine.
“Our business is our own, Vivian.” Donovan grabbed my hand and started walking away, leaving Vivian to her pouting. Sorry about that. Donovan said through the bond. I wasn’t expecting a kiss. It took me by surprise.
It’s not your fault. Just try not to let that happen again. Because if it did, I wasn’t going to be responsible for my actions. I can’t believe you slept with her.
Believe me. I’ve a good many regrets when it comes to her. I wish I had what I needed to—
Suddenly Donovan was a flurry of movement as he slammed me against the wall, blocking my body with his. Something shattered against the stone next to us, and then Donovan was gone.
Before I could turn, I heard the crash. He had Vivian by the throat, holding her against the opposite wall.
“That was your one temper tantrum. Next time you try to hurt my mate, you’re gone from the pack. If it continues after that, I will rip your head from your body.”
Vivian started sobbing, her whole body shaking. Big fat crocodile tears ran down her face, but Donovan didn’t back down. With one final growl, he released her. As soon as his back turned, Vivian narrowed her gaze at me. Her tears dried up in an instant, and her fists clenched with barely contained rage.
That was fine. She could be mad at me all she wanted. If she came after me, maybe then we’d get enough proof to force a tribunal. As soon as she glanced away again, I started down the hallway, trusting Donovan to catch up and lead me through the maze. Donovan was right. Finding this fey creature was our first priority, but now that I’d met Vivian… She had to go. One way or another.
Chapter Ten
It took a good while to get to Donovan’s room through countless hallways, stairwells, and corridors. “Seriously. Does the stronghold really need to be this big?”
Donovan laughed. “Maybe not, but I fancy the stronghold the way it is. Plus, this wing is mostly empty except for my personal quarters. A little privacy from the rest is sometimes very needed.”
I could definitely appreciate that.
He stopped in front of a thick wooden door. Its top was rounded in an arc, and a metal grate covered the tiny window in its center. There wasn’t a lock, but no one would enter his room uninvited. If they did, he’d scent them. Even if Donovan had been going easy on his pack since he’d joined the Seven, it wasn’t likely he’d be lenient enough to excuse that.
Donovan opened the door for me.
I gasped as I took in the room. I was expecting it to be small and—if I was lucky—to have an en suite bathroom. This was much bigger than that. More like an apartment than quarters in a stronghold.
I wandered in and started taking stock. He had an office with a library off to the left. A kitchen with a well-stocked fridge. A guest room was down the hall to the right, and his room was at the end of the same hall. But what I didn’t see were any pictures or paintings. No knickknacks on the shelves or tables. The colors were all dark—deep burgundy, navy, and forest green—and the furniture was dark wood. They were mostly antiques and the quality of everything was amazing. Especially the embroidered silk duvet cover. But it all felt a little serious. None of it reflected the Donovan that I knew. His easy smiles and soft nature weren’t reflected at all in his dark, stuffy apartment. I glanced back at him, trying to see how he fit in here, and he didn’t. Not to me anyway.
The writing desk that faced a window was the only thing that felt like Donovan. It was a lighter amber color, and sturdy, without all the curvin
