Page 98 of Faith and Fury

“You’ll be gone by morning.”

Yes, I almost tell him, by dawn, in fact. He's already seen right through me.

Suddenly Faith’s door shifts again. This time it’s Jaxon who emerges, rubbing sleep out of his eyes. “Hey, man,” he greets me. Then, noting Micah’s sober expression, he takes a breath. “Reckon we can move the D and M elsewhere? Faith needs her sleep.”

The two of them are trudging into our bedroom before I can think of another excuse. I put my fork down, suddenly lost for appetite.

I close the door behind us and flip on the light. My packmates grimace, adjusting.

“Alright. Here I am.” I fold my arms. “Talk.”

Micah hugs his sides, like he’s only now realizing that he’s still topless. He casts a nervous eye to Jaxon, who grabs a couple shirts out of the closet. They both dress—seemingly deciding who’s going to speak first.

“I know it’s not what you want to hear,” Jaxon grits out, “but the two of us—we’re pretty damn serious about Faith. And I think, if you’re being honest with yourself …” his gaze deepens. “You feel the same way.”

Micah smiles, already trying to break the tension. “As Faith’s ward, I appreciate the delicate moral situation that puts you in. But I promise—her omega is crying out for a pack, for our pack. She’s just waiting on us to say the word.” He hesitates. “Waiting on you, too.”

I don’t speak for several moments, my heart pounding so insistently I’m worried they’ll interpret its urgent message: Of course I feel the same way. Of course I want her. Want us to be a pack.

But I guess that’s why I’m Pack Wilder’s head alpha. Of the three of us, only I have the level-headedness to make these hard calls. The ones even I don’t want to make.

My fists tighten.

“Faith is not the omega for us. It’s natural that having her here affects you. Us,” I correct, noting Jaxon’s glare. “Our pack is primed to take a mate. And here she is, in our den. That was my mistake.” I swallow hard. “I should’ve known better.”

“All due respect, Caleb,” Micah says tersely, “we’re not animals. What I feel for Faith is more than biology.”

“Maybe so, but your alpha is vulnerable. I knew that.” My guilt spikes. “And I brought her in anyway. Someone for you to take care of, to protect—”

“What about me?” Jaxon demands. “I loved Faith the moment I laid eyes on her. You saw it happen.”

“Stop.” I hold my hand up. “You’re both missing the point.”

“Oh, I think you’ve made your point perfectly clear,” Jaxon snarls. “You’re saying Micah’s a head case, and I’m, what? A pup?”

I see the way Micah shrinks at his words, insecurity tainting his scent. My inner alpha rumbles protectively.

“This isn’t about Faith,” I say, sternly. “It’s about the two of you.” I huff. “The three of us.”

Micah’s voice is hoarse. “Why? Why can’t you ever put her first?”

“Because I’m your head alpha!”

All the frustration, the anger, the longing I’ve kept locked away escapes into my bloodstream and rages through my body. My packmates must sense the change in my pheromones, because they both pull back, eyes widening.

I ask, “Have you two actually thought about what it would mean if she joined our pack? Sure, there’s the danger right now—the massive target on her back, not to mention the rogue she’s already mated to—I’m sure he’ll be perfectly stable—but let’s look at this long-term.” I throw my arms up. “Years of rehab. The constant possibility she’ll go feral—hurt you, hurt herself.” My eyes lock onto Micah. “I can’t risk that. It would kill you.”

Then I turn to Jaxon. “And you. You’ve wanted an omega since the day I took you in. Someone you can take care of, someone who’d have your pups.” I laugh humorlessly. “Do you really think Faith is that omega? Not just mentally, but physically—if she’s even capable of it?”

Jaxon’s throat bobs. “The estralide,” he chokes out, “it’s only tempor—”

“Then tell me—have you been using protection? Did she even ask?”

He stops, the colour draining from his cheeks.

Micah growls. “You’re not being fair to her.”

“I don’t have to be fair. She’s not my omega.” Then, before either of them can retaliate, I press on, “You two are my family.” Finally, I take a breath, gathering myself. “And I protect my family.”

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