Will she hate me even more for taking what she wants from her yet again?
Trey released Sadie, rising to his feet. The wolf in him wanted to see Diskant bleed for the insult. His mate slid against the wall, crying softly. Diskant froze, his eyes going wide as though he’d gotten jive to what he’d just spouted.
“I didn’t mean—”
Trey put all of his weight into his swing, gaining momentum as he turned. He clocked Diskant in the jaw, sending the Omega to his knees. “Mean what, you selfish son of a bitch!”
“Careful, pup.” Diskant recovered, breezing his knuckles over his lip as his gaze darted to Trey’s face. “Don’t piss me off.”
“Then don’t piss me off,” Trey countered, adrenaline pumping through his system. “I’m tired of your bullshit.”
“Stop.” Sadie’s softly spoken request pulled the men short. They turned toward her as she said, “You don’t have to argue. We’ll tell them what they need to hear.”
Trey hated how defeated she sounded. “Like hell.”
“You can’t help the pack without their support. It’s the only way.” Both men watched as Sadie made it to her feet. “I’ll do it, but I have a condition.” Her reddened eyes drifted to Trey, ice-blue irises condemning. “Once this is over, it’s over,” she stated briskly, as though she were trying to detach herself from the situation. “You’ll feed me when I need it but this…” Shaking her blonde head, she exhaled, exhaustion outlined in her posture. “I’m done.”
He wanted to hit something—hard. “No.”
“We don’t have time to argue,” she said, skittering from his touch when he reached out for her. “There are more important things to think about.”
That’s where she was wrong. As far as Trey was concerned she was the most important thing in the world. Without her he’d become a hollow shell, his entire life empty and lost. He couldn’t protect the pack like that. He wouldn’t want to exist if there was nothing to look forward to. Over time he’d not only fail his mate, he’d fail everyone around him.
“We’re going to face the pack,” he reached her in two steps, roping an arm around her waist, “together.” She tried to worm her way free and he yanked her to his body, holding her lithe form against his. “No more running, Sadie. No more promises you can’t keep.”
“Trey,” Diskant reprimanded sharply. “Think about what you’re doing.”
“I have.”
For months he’d agonized over what was best for the pack, going over each scenario as he tried to think of a way to introduce Sadie to them. He’d spoken to Nathan many times, hoping to resolve the situation without bloodshed or violence. It wasn’t going to be easy, regardless of his choice.
“This is the only way. I’m not letting her go and I’m not pretending she doesn’t mean everything to me. They can take it or leave it.”
Diskant’s beasts rose, sending energy from the man. “You selfish son of a bitch.”
“Pot calling the kettle black?” Trey ran his hand down Sadie’s back, his fingers drifting through her hair. “It wasn’t so long ago that you left the city to protect Ava. You handed the pack over and didn’t look back. You chose her over everyone else.”
“It’s not the same.” Diskant formed his hands into tight fists.
“Because of her condition?” Trey took a step back and relaxed his grip on Sadie, ready to shove her to safety if Diskant charged. “Do you really think that justifies your decision?”
“I should break your fucking neck.” Diskant lifted one of his hands and pointed at Trey. The Omega’s eyes changed colors, morphing from yellow to green. “You’ve forgotten your goddamned place.”
“That’s quite enough.” Ava appeared at the opposite end of the hallway, glaring at Trey and Diskant. “We’ll never accomplish anything if you two keep fighting.”
“Pinkie,” Diskant warned in a low growl, “I told you to get some rest.”
“I’ll rest when I’m dead,” she retorted.
“Damn it, woman.” Diskant strode toward her. “I’m going to tie your ass to the bed.”
Ava let Diskant’s threat pass without notice. “Kinsley will be here soon,” she informed them, her attention drifting to Trey and Sadie. “He wants to discuss the situation before he talks to the prides. If you need to clear the air, I suggest you use what little time you have before he gets here.”
Trey glanced around, trying to decide where to go. They needed to talk. Privately and unbothered. His mate needed to understand how strongly he felt about matters. He tightened the arm around Sadie’s waist and started toward a small bathroom across the way.
It was then that he noticed Nathan.
The Beta—who had remained silent throughout Trey’s fight with Diskant—moved to make room for Trey to pass. Trey hesitated, watching Nathan walk a few feet down the hall. The man stopped outside Leigh’s door, shifting his feet, studying the barrier standing between him and his mate. Sadly the door was the least of Nathan’s concerns. The true wall erected between him and Leigh was far more obtrusive. Nathan extended his hand, fingers hovering over the knob. After a moment, he bowed his head and let his arm drift to his side.
Poor bastard.
Anyone could see Nathan’s desolation and sadness. Gloom surrounded the male, shrouding him in uncertainty and confusion. His nature wouldn’t him to allow him to leave Leigh uncared for but his ability to sense emotion must’ve told him that his presence still wasn’t welcome. He turned away but didn’t leave. Resting his shoulders against the door, Nathan sank down and took a seat, protecting his female in the only way he could.
The visual tore through Trey.
If he didn’t smooth things over with Sadie he could suffer the same fate.
Determined, he lifted his female’s feet from the ground and rushed to the bathroom. He went inside, closed the door and carried Sadie to the sink. There wasn’t a lot of space. The area consisted of the toilet and a sliver of counter space. Sadie’s lack of emotion perturbed him. She hadn’t shown signs of sorrow or anger. Instead she seemed resigned, accepting whatever she was given.
Time to push her buttons.
She gasped when he let her go and spun her around. She braced herself with her hands, meeting his gaze in the mirror. Her blonde hair swept over her shoulders, offsetting her wide blue eyes. He shoved his hips forward, trapping his hardening cock between the globes of her ass. Although he’d always desire his female, his needs extended beyond simple physicality. He wanted her to know he’d meant what he’d said. He couldn’t exist without this woman. More than that, he refused to live without her.
“Do you want me?” he asked hoarsely, muscles shaking.
“I…” She broke eye contact and tried to lower her head. “I shouldn’t.”
He didn’t let her avoid him or the question, capturing her chin in his hand, making her look at him. “Don’t think about the bullshit. Forget about everyone else but us. Tell me the truth.” Bringing his head to her ear, he looked her in the eye and repeated, “Do. You. Want. Me?”
“It’s not that simple, mutt.” Her eyes flashed, fury radiating from the icy depths.
“Why?” He grinned, thrilled that her fire had returned.
“I can want you, but that doesn’t mean I love you.”
“You don’t have to tell me you love me. I already know. I’ve known for a long time.”
Those three little words coming from her would mean the world to him. But they weren’t necessary. Because he already knew how she felt. She claimed she hated him and he believed her, because the malice came from resentment. It was entirely possible to loathe a person you loved. The complexities of her feelings were a mixture of adoration and hate, neither complete without the other.