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“If you idiots are done measuring your dicks, it’s time to clear the air.”
The familiar drawl cut through the silent room. I rolled onto my back and glared up at my VP.
In truth, I was fucking glad to know Bulletproof was here. He scowled down at me, his fingers twitching like they ached to take off that belt and give me a well-deserved licking. My VP was one of the few I respected from the old days. He’d been more of a father to me and Mongrel than our own flesh and blood.
“Fuck,” I growled, letting my head smack back into the wooden floorboards.
Bulletproof nodded, solemnly.
That had been too fucking close.
He stretched out a hand and I took it, giving him a grateful slap on the back. Then, with dread churning in my belly, I turned to Silver. He was leaned up against the wall, Mongrel at his side. Both eyed me warily.
I crossed the distance, cheeks hot with shame, and crouched down in front of him.
For the first time in our lives, Silver flinched at my proximity, causing the breath to lock up in my chest. I didn’t want this. I didn’t want my friend to fear me or my animal.
The wolf inside me snarled, then whined in confusion. He didn’t want Silver to fear us, either. He simply wanted his mate. Needed her. So bad I felt like clutching at my chest and howling at the crimson moon.
I stayed put, head bowed and neck bared, until I felt the shift in my omega. He took in a shaky breath as I sat back on my heels and waited. The man slowly raised his blazing eyes to meet mine. He was terrified, but for once he wouldn’t—couldn’t—back down.
All the same, guilt roiled in his gaze.
“I didn’t ask,” Silver mumbled, eyes dropping away in defeat. “She came to me, upset, and the mating call took over and—”
Mongrel bristled, hating to see his mate so beat down and apologising for a claim when we all should have been celebrating.
“Then you dialed a friend, didn’t you, pup?” Silver’s eyes flew wide as he looked over to where Bulletproof stood, arms crossed over his chest. Popcorn stood behind him, grinning like a maniac. “You caught your breath and made sure it was what everyone wanted. Right?”
Slowly, Silver nodded.
Popcorn’s grin grew wider.
There was a story going down—more than anyone was willing to let on right now—but I was tired. So fucking tired. Exhausted from resisting the demands of the Chaos. I didn’t even care if my entire pack was pulling the wool over my eyes. Not if it was in everyone’s best interest.
There was one truth in all of this that I could count on. Two, actually.
One, Silver would never force anyone to do anything. Ever.
Two, Sasha would’ve severed the man’s balls from his body if he’d tried.
Mongrel got up from the ground and helped Silver to his feet. He grabbed his mate by the neck and pulled him into his chest for a brief moment of comfort.
“’S all right, pup. I’ll take it from here. You go and hang out with our guests. Make sure everyone’s settled in for the night. Maybe blow off some steam, yeah? Me and the Prez are gonna shoot the breeze.” Mongrel pinned me with a ‘don’t fuck with me’ look. “Ain’t we, Grimm?”
I nodded. It was for the best. I would apologize to Silver in the morning and force myself to congratulate them both. My wolf rattled in my chest again and Mongrel shoved me out the door.
Behind us, the pack sighed in relief. As far as they were concerned, the crisis had been averted. I knew better. So did my boys. This shit storm had barely gotten started.
* * *
“She’s his mate,” I growled. My voice sounded off, hollow. “Yours, too.”
Not a question, a statement of fact. The words were like chewing on barbed wire and broken glass but I had to get them out so Mongrel knew where I stood. I could see how Silver had taken my beast’s wrath. He’d grabbed all that hurt and dragged it straight into his soul.
Taking it on like he was the cause. Like he wasn’t worthy of our girl.
It fucking slayed me. I’d never met a more worthy wolf.
