Page 60 of The Runaway Mate

Sofia and Derek were already seated at the long wooden table. They sat across from each other, not talking and not looking at each other. Derek looked unhappy, and Sofia avoided my eyes when I walked in.

“Morning,” I said, aiming for nonchalant and cheery. I needed them to focus on something other than whatever was going on between them. “Everything smells delicious, Sylvie.”

Sylvie beamed at the compliment. “Oh, you flatterer. You’re just like your brother. Sit down and enjoy your breakfast.”

Ryan pulled out a chair for me. I took one glance at it, walked past him, and sat down in a chair next to Sofia. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ryan shake his head and sit down in the chair he’d pulled out, just as Hayley and Jem walked in. There was no hiding the tense silence between them. Hayley’s face was stony, her lips a thin line. Jem’s jaw was tight, and his eyes burned with barely concealed anger.

I frowned, not liking that Hayley was here.

When Jem didn’t say anything, Ryan broke the silence. “How is everyone this morning?”

“Fine,” Jem grunted.

Hayley scoffed at his response, her hands clenched into fists.

My eyes darted round the room, looking at each of them. This wasn’t going to work. We had to be able to work as a team. Jem angry and distracted, Hayley winding everyone up, Sofia and Derek barely able to be in the same room together, me annoyed with Ryan while also trying to rein in my stupid hormones that just wanted to jump him—none of it would help us work out what was going on and be able to save the Pack. Maybe if I made nice with Hayley, made sure she was the center of attention for the meal, she’d leave as soon as she’d finished eating.

“Hayley,” I said, bringing my gaze to her. “It’s lovely to see you this morning.”

“Don’t start with me, Mai. I know what you’re up to.”

I raised my eyebrows at her.

“You think I’m involved in this. That I’d take on Jem and push him out.”

I shot a glare at Jem. I hadn’t thought that. Hayley had many faults, but she loved Jem. All she ever wanted was to have Jem’s full attention. What would she have to gain from pushing Jem out and ruling alone? But I guess Jem had thought of it. If she cheated on him, any trust between them must be fragile. It would take a lot to regain that. But Jem was the Alpha; he was supposed to put the Pack first, and that meant not confronting Hayley and telling her what he suspected until we had the evidence. But he’d put his mating bond first; he’d acted as a husband wanting the truth from his partner. If he was right, and Hayley was involved, he’d tipped our hand. She would warn Brock that we were onto them. They would delay or change their plans. We no longer had the element of surprise.

“I don’t know what to think, Hayley,” I replied, keeping my voice calm.

“Well, I do. You’re back and causing trouble again. Trying to jam a wedge between me and Jem. Trying to make Jem think less of me. Well, it won’t work, Mai. Jem is mine, and I’m never letting go, no matter what bullshit you come up with to drive him away from me.”

“Hayley—”

“Save it,” Hayley snapped, pushing back her chair and standing up. “I can’t stand being in the same room as any of you right now.”

She shot Jem one last icy look before she turned on her heel and marched out of the room. We were all silent as we listened to her close the front door, then Jem picked up his fork and started poking at his food.

“Well, that was one way of getting rid of her.”

“You shouldn’t have told her,” Ryan growled.

“I’m Alpha. She’s the Alpha, too, or did you forget that? I did what I thought best.” Jem stared directly at Ryan, and there was a warning in his voice, telling Ryan to back off. Ryan was right, though. Jem shouldn’t have told her. I put my hand on Ryan’s thigh and squeezed. We couldn’t afford to be at each other’s throats right now. We needed to sort this mess out, and then afterward, we could discuss what we should and shouldn’t have done. It took Ryan longer than it should have to look away from his Alpha.

“Michael called this morning,” Jem continued when Ryan had backed off. “He wants to meet. Said he wants to discuss the murders and Carson.”

Ryan had filled me in on the murders this morning, so I knew who Jem was talking about this time.

“It could be a trap,” Derek said.

Jem nodded. “Yes, but I have to take that risk. Carson didn’t do this. If Michael and I can clear this up, then we can neutralize one plot against us.”

“When?” Ryan asked.

“Today at noon. On neutral ground, in the human town of Maxly.”

“I don’t like this,” Ryan and Derek said at the same time. I had to agree with them.

“You don’t have to like it. I’m going.”

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