Page 87 of Mated to the Wolves

“I noticed.”

“Well, hello there, Bo.” A sultry syrupy voice speaks from behind us.

The smile fades from his face and he turns to face Andrea. The young wolf who refuses to bow out gracefully.

“Excuse me for a moment, Princess. I have something to take care of.”

Her eyes dilate. I grip Cadoc’s arm tight. What the hell does he think he’s doing? I’m horrified by the anger that curls my hands into fights. Shaking, I try to calm the she-wolf inside me who’s out for blood.

We haven’t been here ten minutes and he’s already ditching me for a girl who’s supposedly in his past.

“She can say whatever she needs to right here,” Kirk’s sharp voice shocks me.

“You don’t speak for him.” Andrea’s shrill screeching hurts my ears.

“We’re a clan. What affects one of us, affects all of us.” Fell steps closer, forming a semi-circle around her.

“Are you going to let them threaten me?” Andrea bats her false lashes at Bo.

Digging my elongating nails into the fleshy palms of my hands I focus on the pain to remain grounded. I cannot lose control of my wolf here.

“No, but I might.” Is that guttural voice mine?

Andrea’s brow lines, and she takes a step back. “What’s wrong with your eyes?” Her voice raises an octave.

“I’m a wolf the same as you.” I snarl. I’d never exhibited the normal signs of shifting before. It was one of the main reasons I’d been ridiculed. Poor Ylva, so weak she’s more human than wolf.

“Look at me, Brat.” Cadoc cups the back of my head and turns me toward him.

“No one’s going anywhere,” I say.

“The slag was just leaving,” Fell adds.

“Excuse me.” Outrage clings to her words.

“I don’t.” I bark.

She jumps back and Bo turns to me and leans down.

“Did you forget your place, Princess?” He winds my hair around his hands and pulls it taut, forcing my head back. “Do you think you get to tell me what to do?”

“N-no.” I lean into the tension he’s causing as my she-wolf hums in approval.

“That’s right. Now shut your mouth like the good little wolf I know you can be and let me handle this.”

I clench my teeth. My she-wolf bristles at his quick dismissal of us for the other woman.

Andrea smirks. I turn my head to hide my glassy eyes.

“Let’s mingle,” Cadoc suggests. It’s an unspoken rule they don’t get too involved with my relationship with each of them.

Bo releases me and I stumble back into Cadoc, who hustles me out. Bo turns his attention back to Andrea.

I was stupid to think things would change. I let them lead me through the crowded room nodding in the right places during conversation, shaking hands, and giving meaningless responses.

I’m the face of the Alpha’s new mission to save us, and nothing more. I ignore Fell’s concerned look, retreating into myself.

“Excuse us, we’re going to step outside for a moment,” Fell leads me onto the balcony. I welcome the cool air on my face.

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