<Chapter 38-1
Chapter 38-1
Kiana
I could barely focus on what Troy was saying as we walked home. An alpha was already here.
Morven, no doubt. Trying to throw Troy off guard. Trying to throw me off guard.
Claim
I wasn’t going to let him. I was not the same scared little girl that he used to torment, and I was not now nor ever going to be his.
“Why did you walk?” I asked suddenly. Too late, I realized that Troy was saying something to me, and I’d interrupted. “Sorry.”
The muscle in his jaw ticked while he stared straight ahead. “I walked because I do not need to scramble to rearrange my day simply because someone decided to show up early. We’re still prepping, and that comes first.”
“Right. It’s all about appearances,” I echoed hollowly. I was still a little surprised that he wasn’t going to lock me away if appearances mattered so much. “I interrupted you earlier. What were you saying?”
“I was asking about Willa’s visit. Did it upset you?”
“You mean when your little blonde bombshell walked in boasting about how you’ve been fucking her and grooming her to be your mate and how I should do the right thing and slink away?” I asked casually. “Not at all.”
“Neither of those things are true,” Troy growled as he stopped and put a hand on my waist.
Caught off guard, I squeaked a little and stumbled, but he easily held me up. “You understand that, right?”
“You serve the best interest of your pack,” I said softly as I averted my eyes from his intense gaze.” I’m not deaf, Troy. I know the pack wants her to be your mate, at least in name if not for real. They expect you to marry her. When this is over, I’m leaving. You should marry her.”
Troy stiffened, his eyes glowing gold, and for a second, I thought he was going to growl at me. Instead, he blinked, and his gaze was human again. “The pack doesn’t always know what is in their best interest. Willa won’t be a problem again. Don’t speak of m-”
“Willa isn’t a problem,” I cut him off softly. “I don’t really understand how she feels because I’ve
never been in her position, but she had something taken away from her, and she’s trying to hold on
to it. I can handle her without your interference.”
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<Chapter 38-1
“Fine, but not until the alphas are gone. I don’t need any more distractions.”
Claim
We started walking again, I clenched my fists and drew in my breath. “Just tell me who’s waiting
for us at the house.”
“Claudine Frost.”
Oh.
That wasn’t so bad, but then I remembered someone else who would be unhappy that Claudine
was here. “Did you tell Finn?”
“I’ve grounded him until I speak to Claudine. I suspect that she will demand to see him, but ultimately, that’s not my decision to make. It will be up to him.”
My heart went out to Finn. He had to have mixed feelings. Claudine murdered his father and exiled
him, but his father had been a traitor.
“What do you want from me? Should I shower and change?” We’d talked a little about the etiquette of having the other alphas over, but it hadn’t occurred to me to ask what the hell I was supposed to
wear. Did it matter?
“No. She’s the imposition. We’re going to meet her and find out exactly why she’s early. I’ll make a decision about what to do with you from there.”
Oh, nice. Like I was also the imposition. Where was he going to put me today?
“I didn’t mean it like that,” he said quietly.
“Right. Tell me what you know of Dean.”
Troy was silent for so long that I didn’t think he was going to answer. Finally, he cleared his throat.” Parker lost his mate when Dean was still young. It was right before I took over as alpha, and my
brother ignored the situation. Then, when I became alpha, I was busy dealing with challenges.
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