Page 38 of Cursed Bonds: An Alpha's Destiny

Poli’s left eye twitched, and I stifled a grin. I must have struck a nerve.

“My alpha isn’t afraid of anything or anyone. Got it?”

“If that’s the case, then a short conversation should be no big deal. Call him,” I said, pointing to the radio on his hip. “I’m sure he’ll be intrigued to know I’m here. Do you really want to tell him that the alpha of Crestwood was here and you turned him away before he could find out why?”

The big man’s face remained stony, but I could see the wheels turning in his head. Eren was not a kind alpha. He ruled his pack with an iron fist and used fear as the main motivator for compliance. It was a shitty way to run a pack, and his reputation preceded him. Poli had to be wondering how much shit he’d be in if he pissed off his boss.

Poli grunted and shoved away from my car, pulling the radio from his belt clip as he did. While he murmured into the radio, I leaned my head back on the headrest and waited. Knowing Eren, he’d be too curious to turn me away.

A few minutes later, Poli strolled back over to my car. “He’ll allow you to come up to the house. He’s bestowing a free pass within Scottsdale upon you until your business is over.”

I snorted. “Allowing and bestowing? How gracious of him.”

“Go on,” he said with a dismissive wave.

Two more goons stood at the top of the hill. They didn’t bother to speak to me as they led me—one in front and one behind—into Eren’s opulent living room. The Scottsdale alpha sat in a large leather armchair, doing his best to look aloof and uncaring. He even had his leg slung over the armrest.

“Jace,” Eren said, nodding to me as the two guards stepped away.

“Eren.”

“What brings you to my lovely town?”

I didn’t have the time or desire to beat around the bush. “Why were you at Kirsten’s cabin yesterday? What business did you have so close to my territory?”

Eren frowned and rubbed his goatee with his thumb and forefinger. “That cabin isn’t technically on your territory, is it?”

I just took a seat opposite him, showing that I was as calm and unworried as he was acting.

“Besides,” Eren went on. “Kirsten is a big girl. If she didn’t want me around, I think she’d tell me. She’s her own woman, after all.” Eren grinned and raised an eyebrow. “A very witchy woman, if I might add.”

Of course he knew she was a witch. Her scent was unmistakable.

I rolled my eyes. If he thought he’d one-upped me, he was wrong. “You know it’s frowned upon for alphas to approach another alpha’s territory without permission. Even alphas who are friends, and you and I,” I added with emphasis, “are not friends.”

Eren grunted. “Fair enough, but if it was such a big deal, why isn’t Kirsten here to tell me to stay away if she doesn’t want me around? You being here makes me think someone is a little jealous?” He pointed at me with his index finger and dropped his thumb like he was firing a gun. “Is that what’s going on here? Big bad Jace Stone is trying to get his dick wet and the sexy witch has her eyes on someone else?”

“Enough,” I said, my anger starting to simmer. “Stay away. That’s all I need to say.”

“She’s not claimed. Means she’s free game.”

My wolf snapped, snarling and growling, and I leapt to my feet, every protective instinct in my body surging forward. I had to keep Kirsten safe from this man. Behind me, the two guards hurried back into the room, but Eren waved them off.

“My, so testy,” Eren said with a smile.

“Leave her alone. I’m not telling you twice.”

Eren pulled his leg off the armrest and sat forward, a shit-eating grin on his face. “Why?”

With a long, slow breath, I pushed the anger back down, regaining my composure. “Kirsten is my fated mate. You know what it means if another shifter, even an alpha, tries to do anything to her, don’t you?”

The cocky look on Eren’s face faltered for an instant, but he quickly got his bearings again. Leaning back, he nodded. “Fated mate? And a witch, no less? Interesting. Okay, fine. I’ll leave her be.”

That seemed far too easy.

“I have your word?” I asked.

“An alpha’s word is his bond,” Eren said, smiling again, but there was an iciness in his eyes.

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