Page 62 of The Alpha’s Heir

But I had to wonder how much longer I could keep going along with this insanity before I snapped.

22

Meg

He’s coming with us!

He doesn’t want to be here, I reminded my beast, feeling the sting of his rejection all over again. I’d wanted to come home and lick my wounds for a bit while I figured out what to do next, but now I was trapped in a vehicle with the man I was supposed to marry—that I could barely tolerate—and my fated mate, both of whom wanted nothing to do with me.

And I was bringing them to meet my family.

They were going to know right away.

I had no clue how to hide this or explain what was really happening. I wasn’t like Helen or the council; I couldn’t keep up a lie.

So basically… this was going to be a disaster.

“You know, if anything happens to me, these gods of yours will probably be upset.” Justus was still talking. “I am the other half of this sacrificial union.”

I rubbed my temples, wishing he’d just shut up. I already had enough to deal with. Plus, it was getting uncomfortably hot in the vehicle we’d been stuck in for the past ten hours.

“That’s why they’re here.” Justus nodded at the men in front of us. “If anything happens, they’re supposed to get me back to the city, and then this deal between us is off.”

He stressed the words as if he had any power in this situation. I almost felt bad for him.

I don’t.

I stared at Roman’s side profile and tight jaw, his eyes fixated on the road since he’d switched over driving duties with Marcus, wondering how he could have a best friend like Justus.

Maybe I was looking at him with rose-colored glasses, thinking Roman was better than he was since he was my mate. In all honesty, he hadn’t done too much to earn my affection. Sure, he was kind to the waitstaff and loved his father. And he was handsome and kissed like a dream…

But how well did I really know him?

“Are we actually going to eat raw flesh out there?” Justus tried another tactic to engage me as he started to sweat.

At least I wasn’t the only one uncomfortable in this vehicle. It was cramped. I couldn’t find a good position. My lower back ached, and the seatbelt cut into my chest.

To make matters worse, Justus was even more annoying when we were trapped in the same metal box.

I could’ve eased his concerns, but I didn’t. He’d been rude to me since I set foot in Ethica. A taste of his own medicine wouldn’t hurt.

“Have you guys been out here?” Justus turned his attention to Marcus and Roman since I wouldn’t bite.

Roman grunted, “No.”

I can’t wait to show him around.

Damn my stupid wolf for perking up, excited for him to see our land.

“I always wanted to come out here.” Marcus smiled. “I think Daisy would like it. And I enjoy a good bite of raw flesh.”

Justus cringed.

Marcus laughed. “Don’t knock it until you try it.”

I think I like Marcus.

“What’s your story, anyway?” I asked him, breaking my self-imposed silence.