Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 71067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
CHAPTER 12
Rex
“I don’t know what the four of you were thinking,” I say, stalking back and forth in front of the line of young wolves who are standing before me in all their shambolic glory. I’ve had them taken in and separated from my mate. I need to speak with them directly. They need to understand that they answer to me now.
They look guiltily at each other, and then at the floor. I have not spent much time with any of these people individually. My attention has naturally gone almost entirely to my mate. That may have been a mistake.
“Stealing is forbidden on the reserve,” I say. “As, you may be familiar, everywhere else in the world.”
I don’t think any of these whelps has been raised properly. Every single one of them has the undeniable markings of having had to drag themselves up.
“Do any of you know what the penalties for theft are?”
They look at one another guiltily, and shake their heads.
“Typically, it is a lashing and imprisonment,” I say.
They blanch at me. The young men bristle and posture, but I can see that they are just as afraid as the young woman. I am aware that threats of physical discipline can have unpredictable effects when dealing with those of uncertain backgrounds. I actually have no desire to punish this small crew. They submitted immediately, and even now seem to me to be closer to pups than people. If they could roll over and show their bellies, I am sure they would.
“Of course, if it turns out that an action was undertaken on orders, then the punishment might be applied further up the chain,” Fescue adds.
“We’re not going to get Nicky in trouble!” the girl, Laura, practically explodes. “Do what you have to do, if you have to do it, but none of us are going to tell on her.”
There’s a commotion outside the room at that point. I can hear my mate cursing at one of my guards who does not deserve it.
“Let her in,” I tell Fescue. “I’ll deal with her separately, but she may as well be here.”
Fescue sweeps the door open with a long-suffering sigh that does not fit the situation given we have barely begun to deal with this lot. Nicky practically tumbles in, not having anticipated the door opening just as she was banging on it.
“It was me!” she declares loudly and bravely. “All of this was me. You know it. Leave them alone.”
Very sweet. A little alpha trying to defend her little pack. Unfortunately for all of them, nobody is getting out of this unscathed.
* * *
Nicky
The energy in the room is like ice. I almost don’t recognize Rex. I was afraid that he was going to be angry, but whatever this is, it’s worse. He’s so focused, so intense.
I thought I wanted to take the heat off my guys. I do. But I am also starting to regret that I did it right now.
He turns to me, his blue eyes locked on me so intently I feel as though I might be the only person in the world besides him. “Yes,” he says. “I suppose I do. The rest of you can leave.”
I watch my pack scuttle for cover, and I am glad to see them go.
We stay in his office. I guess that’s where we are. I don’t know. It’s a room with a desk and an alpha and not much else matters right now.
I hold my breath, waiting to receive the brunt of his fury. I expect him to hurl me over the desk and whip my ass with a cane or something.
But that’s not what he does.
“Why are you trying to leave?” Rex seems slightly hurt as he asks me the question. His eyes are on mine with the intensity of desire and betrayal. He doesn’t get it, and he never will. He thinks the problem with being what we are is just needing a private place to shift from time to time. He doesn’t understand that there are bloodlines who can’t just run about and maybe chase some deer when they shift. There are bloodlines whose hunger exceeds anything he seems familiar with.
“I can’t be what you need me to be. I can’t be a good mate for you. This pack needs a better alpha’s mate. You need a better mate.”
He looks more confused than before. “I thought you were becoming happy with me, here. You seemed to be.”
“I can seem all sorts of things,” I say. “But I’m not ever going to be a fit. You get it. It’s a culture thing.”
His eyes narrow at me a fraction, and then he is stalking toward me, capturing my chin in his hand as he wraps his other arm around me.
“What are you not telling me, Nicky? And don’t be glib.”