Against the Black

Chapter 16

“That’s a risky thing to do, offering your pack as a home to a pack that just invaded it.” Mark looked at me in a measuring gesture.

“Michelle has talked with my Beta and myself about the conditions she came from and what pack life was like. I know these people have been living in what I can only describe as poverty because Alpha Brian mistreated pack budgets. I have a strong hunch they only came along with Alpha Brian because he threatened them. So, I doubt anyone would live in those conditions willingly and fight for the person who put them in that position. It was all they could do to save what little they had. At least that’s my working assumption.” Beta Mark nodded in understanding.

“But what do you gain from it?” He asked me and I almost choked on air.

“Get from it? Nothing.” I looked at him incredulously. “I don’t do this for a profit. I have no ulterior motive. I do this because these people are in need. My pack has the means to provide them with the things they need. So why should I not help where I can?” I was becoming more mad by the second. I couldn’t believe Mark thought I was doing this for some kind of reward. Adrenaline was coursing from the fight and was only heightened by what I saw as an accusation.

“I do not appreciate you suggesting that I am offering these people anything more than a safe place to live.” The king’s Beta looked slightly surprised at my outburst, but then a cool smile fell into place.

“I am not suggesting anything. I am simply wondering…” He hesitated, eyeing me curiously. “I’m wondering if maybe you’re offering this olive branch to these people as a way to earn favor with the king.” My mind fell blank. I couldn’t understand what he was saying, and then it all came to me in a rush and my blood boiled hotter.

“You think I’m doing this because you’re here?” My voice was deathly quiet as I lifted my head to meet Mark’s eyes. “Beta Mark, I’m sure you’re used to people throwing themselves at your feet for attention from the king or from the prince. But let me assure you,” I took a step closer to him. “I have no need for the king’s favor. Obsidian Falls will operate as it has always operated. We are a safe haven and we offer our safety to those who need it. It has been the way since my ancestor founded this pack, and it will be the way long after I am gone. We are not a pack of floozies or power hungry Alphas. We don’t need the king’s favor. I don’t need the king’s favor.” After making my point, I turned to Roman.

“What about you? Do you see a woman only hunting for power and status?” He was clearly not expecting me to speak to him directly. His face wore a shocked expression, and he looked around as if looking for an escape from the conversation. I could have screamed.

Valerie. I almost shouted down the mind link.

Yes Alpha?

Please see to our royal guests. I’m going for a run. Make sure they have rooms prepared in case they intend to stay. If they decide to leave, don’t let the door hit them on the way out. She snickered through the mind link.

Yes Alpha. But shouldn’t you be the one… I cut her off.

If I spend another moment in their presence, I’m gonna be locked up next to Alpha Brian. I cut the mind link and noticed Roman still looked like a spooked rabbit ready to run. I let out a frustrated growl and leapt from the pack house steps, shifting, and crashed through the closest tree line.

Kalua was happy to run off the steam I had built up. But I couldn’t seem to calm down. Every time I thought I was finally beginning to relax, I would think of the conversation with Beta Mark and I would fume all over again. After a couple hours of running and the sun had gone down, I decided I needed to get back and make sure things were being handled with the new pack members.

Kalua made her way into the pack house and was headed to our suite when we saw Mark and Roman turn down one of the guest halls. I shifted back and stormed down the hall, following the two men.

“Your highness.” I called out, and he stopped, looking confused at first. Then his eyes landed on me and his expression turned to what almost looked like fear. I stopped in front of him and put a hand on my hip.

“Are you mute?” I asked him. He hesitated for a moment.

“No, I…” I cut him off. I was probably breaking some law, and I knew it was disrespectful. At least some part of me knew it was. But I was too angry to care.

“Are you deaf?” I asked again.

“No.” His face became less shocked and confused, turning hard. Good, it was the first expression other than the fear he’d given me since we’d met.

“Has no one taught you how to properly hold a conversation?”

“I have.”

“Have I offended you to the point that you would need to give me the cold shoulder?”

“No.”

“Then why on the goddess’s green earth do you refuse to look at me or speak to me? What could I possibly have done to deserve such a reaction? If you’re going to reject me, you might as well just get it over with. Because dancing around it and avoiding me will not save either of us from the pain.” Before I could fully register what was happening, Roman had let out a roof shaking snarl, and had me pinned against the hallway wall.

“Let me make this perfectly clear.” His voice was low, almost threatening. This close, I could see small emerald green specks in his deep forest green eyes. They sparkled like green fire as he glared at me.

“I have no intention of rejecting you. And I have no intention of accepting a rejection from you. You’re mine.” He growled out the words and my face flushed.

“But if you need an explanation, fine. You have another mate out there. As much as my wolf and I are dying to be close to you,” He leaned his face to where my neck met shoulder and inhaled deeply. “I’m trying to give you space. I’m… not sure how best to do that.” He admitted, pressing closer. “I’m sorry if I’ve given you the wrong idea, but I very much want you.” He pressed closer still, and I could feel just how much he wanted me. My breath hiccuped.

His nose pressed further into my neck and I had to squeeze my legs together to keep them from giving out beneath me. The wall was cold against my back. And that was when I realized I’d verbally assaulted him in the hallway of my pack house, stark naked. My body instantly grew hot everywhere his body touched mine. My breathing came in, in shallow rasps. Right before I thought I was going to pass out, he pushed just far enough away to meet my gaze.

“I’m struggling enough, as it is, to not claim you every time I see you.” His eyes were pleading. “So, can you please not come at me in this state of undress?” My cheeks burned red hot. I thought I would melt from all the fire, filling my face with embarrassment. “If you do it again, I won’t hold myself back.” He leaned in and placed a very chaste kiss on my forehead. He lingered so long, I wasn’t sure he was going to pull back at all. But he composed himself and moved away from me.

Beta Mark was holding a door open to one of the guest suits and Roman walked inside. Mark was clearly trying to hold back a laugh as I remembered he was here this whole time. I fled down the hall and into the Alpha suite.