Page 68 of What a Wolf's Heart Decides

Fresh anger made her clench her fists. If he said a single word about the floor, she was going to—

“I’m sorry,” he said, meeting her eyes.

Wait. He was apologizing?

“I’m apologizing,” he said.

“Okay.”

Silence fell.

She waited for him to say something else, but he just stood there, a small frown between his black brows. Confusion swept her. Did he expect her to say more? Congratulate the Alpha on admitting he was wrong about something? Slow clap or offer him a cookie?

Just as the pause grew uncomfortable, he came all the way into the mudroom and closed the door. “My wolf is . . . unsettled.”

Her ire faded. It wasn’t the best excuse in the world, but it made sense. He was probably exhausted from work and, while he probably wouldn’t admit it, he’d been in obvious pain on the drive home. Her own wolf could make her lash out when she was tired.

She tucked an errant curl behind her ear. “I understand.”

He gave a short nod.

Before another awkward silence could descend, she jerked a thumb over her shoulder. “I’ll just head upstairs.”

“No.”

“What?” She felt a bemused smile curve her lips. “Why not?”

His frown deepened. “We talked about this. I want to keep an eye on you for a few hours.”

Oh hell no. Not after his little temper tantrum in the car. Apologies were great but she had no desire to be around his unsettled wolf. “I’m fine.”

“Maybe, but I’ll be the judge of that.” He took a step toward her.

She held her ground, even though every part of her wanted to inch backwards. “I appreciate it, but I’m truly okay. Werewolf, remember?”

“Concussions don’t care what species you are, Miss Michaels.”

Ugh. She couldn’t decide which version of him was more insufferable, the Alpha or the doctor.

“You’re correct, though,” he said. “You are a werewolf. And I expect you to follow orders.”

The Alpha. Definitely the Alpha.

“For once,” he added.

Record needle scratch. For once? She dared to hold his gaze, her temper leaking back into her veins. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

His blue stare was hard. “I gave you explicit instructions not to leave the house. Yet you chose to do so anyway. You could have been killed in that avalanche and Rupert with you.”

Astonishment and outrage swirled in her chest. “You’re blaming me for what happened?”

He didn’t answer. Which was answer enough.

“Really?”

His blue eye glinted. “It wouldn’t have happened if you stayed inside like I ordered.”

She shook her head. “That’s not what you ordered.”

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