Page 69 of What a Wolf's Heart Decides

“Yes, it is.”

“No, it’s not.”

Thunderclouds gathered in his good eye. “I left a note,” he grated.

“And it said to stay in the territory. So, technically? I obeyed your order.”

Ha. There.

Surprise flared in his gaze, but only for a second. Then he clenched his jaw. “Semantics, Miss Michaels.”

“Better luck next time, Doctor Bennett.” Seeing an opportunity to flee, she turned and went through the doorway leading to the hall.

She was halfway to the stairs when a warm hand clamped down on her arm.

She whirled, curls flying, and broke his hold as she stumbled back. Already rattled from the scene in the car, her wolf sprang to the surface, making her voice drop a full register. “Touch me again and lose a paw.”

Something ominous flashed in his good eye. “Is that a challenge? You won’t win against me, Miss Michaels, that I promise you.”

“You’re a bully.” She gulped in air. “And you’re really bad at apologies!”

He loomed over her, his blue eye blazing. “You provoke me on purpose.”

“That sounds like a you problem.”

His growl lifted the little hairs on her nape. “You want to talk problems? You’ve been nothing but trouble since the moment you arrived.”

Ouch. Where had she heard that before? The barb sank deep, irritating old wounds. She lifted her chin. “Then I’ll leave.”

“Yes, you will. First thing in the morning.”

Out of nowhere, a lump rose in her throat. She swallowed, letting anger smother it. “I’ll go one better and leave right now.”

His tone was like an angry parent addressing a stubborn toddler. “The hell you will. It’s dark and freezing outside.”

“I don’t care!”

“Well, I do.”

No, you don’t. He didn’t care about her. And why should he? She was, as he put it, nothing but trouble.

A problem. Something to be dealt with. Certainly not someone to love.

“I’m going,” she said, then turned and started forward.

He grabbed her. “Haley—”

“I said don’t touch me!” Her voice punched the air as she whipped around, once again breaking his hold.

He staggered back, favoring his right leg. Pain flashed across his face, but he recovered quickly. “I’m ordering you to stay put.”

Her anger climbed. He didn’t want her in his house, but he wouldn’t let her go, either.

And where would she go? Back to New York? There was nothing for her there. Just pitying glances and whispered insults.

She hid a wince. “As you so conveniently pointed out, I’m bad at following orders.”

“You go up those stairs and you’ll regret it.”

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