by Lyla Oweds
I wanted to punch that grin right off his face. I crossed my legs and glared at him. “You still haven’t given me any indication your mind is capable of thinking anything. You just keep making one stupid statement after another.”
“Watch yourself.” The humor fled from his face, and his eyes turned sharp. “You might be my mate, but there are limits—”
“No, thank you.” I fought back a shiver. Actually, I did feel a bit guilty about this. An instinct inside me warred for dominance, to give in. But there was something else too, something I couldn’t put my finger on.
There had always been a desire to support my Alpha, but right now, something didn’t feel right.
Ironic that I was doing this, since I’d always been a believer in fairy tales. Growing up, I fantasized what it’d be like to have a mate. But I never thought I’d say this. “I’m already in a relationship.”
With that, the warning in my head settled. I didn’t have to accept Blake MacClure. I could make my own path.
“What? You can’t reject me.” Disbelief tainted the air; it didn’t appear that Blake liked rejection. “What do you mean you’re in a relationship? When the hell did this happen?”
“Oh, it’s been a few days.” I waved my hand, trying to brush off my growing unease. “It was a tremendous journey for the both of us, but his persistence has finally won out in the end.”
His expression soured with every word out of my mouth. A dark anger began to rise in the air, taking place of the shock. Normally, I would have been frightened, but because of the circumstances, I wasn’t.
It was unheard of for someone to physically harm their mate. Rejection wouldn’t matter.
“Who is he?” His voice was a growl, and he slammed his hands over the paperwork he’d been perusing before. The movement caused me to jerk back in surprise and doubt to enter my thoughts once again.
I’d never actually seen an Alpha angry before, but witnessing it…
Perhaps I wasn’t immune to his fury after all.
“It doesn’t matter.” My heart thundered in my ears as I pushed back into the chair. “He’s not someone you can defeat.”
His gaze narrowed. “Try me.”
“M-Michael Abernathy.” I was confident Blake couldn’t best him. However, I had to admit that the angry glint in Blake’s gaze frightened me a bit.
“You’re to break up with him immediately.” Blake leaned over the desk, his golden eyes glittering dangerously. “You’re my mate, my woman. I thought by giving you time that I was doing you a favor. But clearly, I was mistaken.”
He was challenging me, the air held a bitterness—the scent of a wolf moments before shifting. My heart began to race, because not even two minutes ago I’d been so sure he wouldn’t hurt me.
But was I really safe?
What was I supposed to do—if he shifted, everything was over.
My wolf stirred, then quieted. Even that was a small measure of comfort.
But right now, I was alone. My thoughts scattered and my temper subdued as I held my Alpha’s eyes with my own. I couldn’t look away, I couldn’t move.
He took my silence as acquiescence.
“You’re never to see him again,” Blake continued, his voice permeating through me until my every cell seized. In the back of my mind, an emotion stirred. Sadness. Anger. I wasn’t sure what else, it was hard to focus outside of the force of his words. “After that, you’re to remain here. These shenanigans have continued long enough. I’d have thought that after facing rejection after rejection you’d have learned. But you’re more stubborn than I expected. So, now, I’ve no choice but to give you a direct order.”
My heartbeat pounded in my ears, the desire to obey beating strong within my chest. Helpless grief washed over me.
Then, as his words echoed in my mind, one thing in particular began to stand out.
“What do you mean, rejection?” My voice sounded so far away, so hollow. “I didn’t know you cared about my job hunt. How long have you been keeping tabs on me?”
His square jaw tightened, and his mouth dipped. A dangerous expression crossed his face. The stubborn lock of his shoulders confirmed my suspicions.
I knew it’d be difficult to be taken seriously as a woman detective. To be accepted on the line of duty. But not once had it ever crossed my mind that outside of society’s glass ceiling there was another reason why my luck had been so terrible.
“What did you do?” My voice shook.
He tore his gaze from mine, and something akin to guilt crossed his expression. He didn’t even have to say a word—I knew.
“You.”
The strange hold of his authority shattered, and my senses rushed back to me. The warnings in my head vanished, as did the fear. Fury broke through everything, taking over as it consumed my emotions like a poison. “You told people not to hire me?”
He didn’t respond, and my anger fanned higher. My nails dug into the arm of my chair—it took everything to hold myself from lashing out at him. “Why did you bother to allow me to go to school if you didn’t want me to work outside of the pack?”
“Of course you could go to school. I didn’t want a stupid mate.” Blake sighed, returning his gaze to mine. The contrite look was gone, replaced with calm patience. “You’ve always been worthy of me. Even without my instruction, you sought out an education. I wasn’t thrilled with your chosen major. However, I was advised to not intervene. So long as you learned something, it didn’t matter. It wasn’t like you would have worked outside of our boundaries anyway.”
“I didn’t go to school for you.” Red bled into my vision. “And who advised you of this nonsense?”
“I knew you were my mate the instant you turned sixteen,” Blake replied, resting his chin on his entwined fingers. “I spoke to your parents, and they said that you’d never be tamed like the others. You wanted freedom, and you wanted an education. I see now that was a mistake to listen to them.”
My parents.
I had a strained relationship with them already, that much was true. We were so different. But for them to do such a thing…
“They were honored, of course,” Blake continued. “They almost didn’t believe it at first. Your sister was Omega. It confounded everyone that you’d eventually be the Luna. They tried to disprove it for years, you know. You were timid when faced with any adversary. You avoid confrontational situations. But I knew better. I suspected you were holding back.” He narrowed his eyes at me. “And I was right.”
“I’m leaving.” I fought to keep my voice steady. The dam threatened to break at any moment.
“You’re not going anywhere.” Blake frowned, and his eyebrows rose as I stood, regardless of his order. “You’re going to stay right here and do what you are told.”
While my announcement hadn’t moved Blake, my next statement certainly did. “Go fuck yourself.”
He was stunned into shock for only an instant, and I’d already moved toward the exit before he responded. “Stop right there.”
I ignored him, but within two seconds, he had crossed the room, reaching me the instant before I cracked open the door. He slammed his hand past me, shutting off my only mode of escape as the door shut in my face. His other hand gripped my shoulder—the movement so quick that he easily turned me to face him, pressing me back into the doorknob.
“You don’t have any authority over me.” I was too angry to be threatened.
“Are you challenging me?” His voice sliced through the air, but no longer did his power hold any sway. But he was wrong, and a warning rang in the back of my head. Challenging him wasn’t my intention.
I only sought my freedom, and that was that. Anything else would be a mistake.
“I’m not challenging you at all,” I clarified, noting the way his pupils had dilated. “I’m leaving you and this pack. Don’t worry, you’ll never have to see me again. I have no intention of fighting for a position in your pack.”
“You already have one.�
� His reply was slightly calmer, but his expression remained severe. Dark brows furrowed, and his teeth still displayed in threat.
“No, I don’t.” I’d heard of this happening before, but never had I dreamed I’d be in this position. Even so, the words flew from me effortlessly. This wasn’t my place. I was going to pave my own way. “I’m rejecting you, and everything about you.” There was no despair in my thoughts, no hesitation. Every ounce of my determination went into that statement. “Are you going to stop me?”
I always thought it was impossible for an Alpha to appear as anything other than coolly in-charge. However, with my words, I could have sworn Blake broke. His wild eyes, furious and dangerous, shuttered over with shock, and the tension leaked from his frame.
As his arm dropped from the door, I took advantage of the situation to press my hands against his chest. His heart was pounding furiously under my palms, confirming that I already knew, what was easily tasted in the air.
I’d hurt him.
But I didn’t care. I might feel guilty later. But right now…
His expectations… How far he and my family had plotted against me…
I was better off without a pack, and without a mate. I already had someone I cared for, and I found a place to belong despite his interference. I was doing quite well on my own, thank you very much.
“Gloria…” His voice was almost a whine. “Don’t leave.”
I didn’t have any other choice. “Goodbye.” And without another word, I pushed his unresistant form back before I turned and rushed from the room.
Susan was still at her desk, and she stared at me open-mouthed as I stepped past her. She’d heard— we hadn’t been quiet.
But that meant that by morning, everyone in the pack would know. I didn’t have any other choice but to leave now. Before it became common knowledge that I was an outsider.
Chapter Seventeen
It was cowardly to run, but Blake’s disconcerting statements continued to repeat themselves in my mind.
There was nowhere else to go, and I didn’t want to be alone.
But needing someone, depending on others, was a new concept for me.
My thoughts were torn. I knew what was expected of me. It was a given that you trust the person you’re dating, so I needed to tell Michael right away. Communication was something that people in relationships did.
But… I felt stupid and guilty to even consider burdening him with this. This was essentially pack business. And pack business was meant to be contained within our borders. Besides, even as recklessly as I’d acted, Blake was still intimidating. I didn’t think he could force me to do anything. But then again, I wasn’t sure how this mate business worked when one was the Alpha.
And the feeling I got from him. He wanted something that I couldn’t give.
It wasn’t only because of Grace. Because of my curse, I’d ignored pack politics for most of my life. There was no reason to participate, to bother. I wasn’t like everyone else.
There was no reason for me to stay.
No one was at my parents’ house when I’d arrived, so there was no one to stop me. No questions as I pulled out my largest duffle and gently packed away the only parts of my life I wanted to save.
One picture of my family, before Grace was taken. Various pieces of clothing. The necklace William had given me for my tenth birthday.
Despite being the largest bag I owned, it wasn’t enough. But I blinked back tears.
You chose this, Gloria.
I’d rejected the pack. I knew what this meant.
I had to leave before I was forced to do so.
Yet banishment was a better fate than being at Blake MacClure’s whim. There had been no give in his eyes. I would have had to change. There was no compromise.
I used to think I wanted a normal life, even though I wouldn’t have admitted it out loud. But that was until the path had been set in front of me.
I refused to give up. Not on Grace. And definitely not before I was able to sort out the feelings that plagued me when I looked at Michael, argued with Gregory, or lectured Caleb.
It was raining when I reached Michael’s house. I hadn’t been here before, but he’d given me an address. A semi-popular location in the middle of town. And it was a good thing too, because it was difficult to focus on much of anything other than finding the right bus and reading street signs.
I knocked. What would I tell him?
“Miss Gloria?” Gregory opened the door, surprise flickering across his expression as he swept his wide-eyed gaze over my drenched form. “What are you doing here?”
My teeth were chattering. Both from my shot nerves and the aftermath left behind from the adrenaline that had kept my resolve while facing Blake.
It felt like I’d been depending on that raw feeling to keep me focused for hours now, and I was nearing my limit. “W-where’s Michael? Is he home?”
Gregory blinked, seemingly taken aback by my question. “He’s here—”
“Gloria!” Michael was suddenly there, pushing past the other man as he took his place in front of me. Relief crashed over me as his hands touched my shoulders and his concerned gaze held mine. “What’s wrong? You’re shivering.” He didn’t wait for my response as he stepped into the rain beside me. Pulling me to his side, he led me into the house. “Come on, Firecracker.” Surprisingly, his deep voice further served to settle my nerves. “Let’s go into the parlor.”
“You have a parlor?” I asked, following his lead through the hallway. “I thought you’d taken a pay cut.”
Michael frowned, ignoring my jibe as concerned still filled his gray eyes. We’d reached the velvet covered room, and he wasted no time in removing my coat and tucking a blanket over my shoulders.
“What’s wrong?” he asked again, waiting until I was seated in one of the high-backed chairs he’d shown me.
Couldn’t he see the future? “Shouldn’t you already know?”
I’d been holding on to a small hope that I wouldn’t have to tell him at all.
His frown deepened as he got to his knees, rubbing my hands within his own. Gregory remained nearby, despite this obviously being a private moment. But either Michael wasn’t bothered by the other man, who’d decided to lounge on the couch, or he wanted him here.
At this moment, I didn’t really care.
“That’s not how my powers work,” Michael explained, pulling my hands against his chest. “Those who deal in prophecies only see glimpses of things that will come. Now tell me, what’s wrong?”
There was no gentle way to say it. “Blake MacClure is my mate.”
Michael froze, his jaw clenching, his hands no longer rubbing mine. A flare of worry entered his eyes. “What?”
“You’ve been in the same pack your whole life.” Gregory was frowning at us. “Doesn’t that instinct kick in when you’re sixteen? Why would this come up now?”
Michael glanced at the other man, his expression unreadable. “Gregory—”
I was still too shaken to care that he was there. “He said he’d suspected for years. But I wasn’t quite Luna material yet. He wanted me to go to school. That’s why he avoided me.”
“Gloria?” Michael breathed my name, and a warmth spread from where his hands held mine.
But it wasn’t enough to keep the chills of my next words at bay.
“I left the pack.” Saying it out loud made the weight of them settle in my stomach like a stone. “I don’t have a home…” The realization washed over me. I’d been so upset about Blake that this detail hadn’t fully registered until this moment, even though I’d gone through all the motions up to this point. “What’s going to happen to me now?”
“You’ll stay here, of course,” Michael said, not missing a beat.
“That’s improper,” Gregory interrupted. “Miss Gloria is a young, single woman. She cannot room with two men.”
“Well, then I’ll kick you out. She’s my girlfriend.” Michael shifted, glaring at Gregory. �
��So that doesn’t make it all that improper.”
“Actually, that makes it even worse. You’d need a chaperone,” Gregory said, crossing his leg. “And stop it with this nonsense. You look and sound pathetic.”
My face heated—he still didn’t know.
I glanced toward Michael, biting my lip at the eager expression on his face. “It’s actually true…” I mumbled, feeling so embarrassed that I wanted to die. “This time.”
Gregory had been in the process of leaning back, and at my words, his leg slipped back to the ground. His green eyes widened in surprise, and his attention settled on me. “Are you serious? After all that denial?”
I pulled my hands from Michael’s and covered my face. This was so embarrassing. “I don’t know what to say.” Why was my heart pounding? Why did I care what Gregory thought?
“We’re in love.” Michael touched my knees, his voice light. “Why do you think I’m the one she came running to in her moment of need? Surely you don’t think she was looking for you?”
I peeked through my fingers in time to witness Gregory’s glowering at the other man. But Michael didn’t stop. “I told you all this time, we’re destined. But you never believed me. Sulking from a distance—”
“That’s not the only thing you said.” Gregory was still watching Michael in disapproval. “And your immaturity is failing to annoy me. You still sound as ridiculous as your stupid foresight.”
“What do you mean?” I lowered my hands to my mouth, glancing between them. “What foresight?”
Michael blinked, his expression slipping from victorious to frightened in an instant. Gregory, on the other hand, smirked.
He might have sounded as if he didn’t care about what Michael’s said, but he had deliberately chosen his words.
“Michael is a seer,” Gregory responded, casually grabbing a book from the end table. He’d dropped his usual formalities, which made the statement sound more imposing. “Do you really believe a person with the ability to foresee the future never glanced into their own romantic potential?”
“So?” What was so wrong about that? I’d already suspected so earlier, when Michael insinuated that very thing.