Page 116 of Faith and Fury

“Yeah, yeah, I’m getting them.”

While he’s rummaging in the back seat, Jaxon doesn’t tear his eyes off of me. It’s like I can hear his inner alpha screaming at him, telling him to wrap me up in his arms. Thankfully he knows better than to give in to instinct.

She’ll go feral.

Hurt you.

“Where the hell have you been?” he demands. “It’s not safe right now—you know that. The ringleaders are looking everywhere for you.”

“Yeah, well, it’s not like they’re gonna be above ground anytime soon,” Maverick drawls, handing me my crutches. “After the shit show you guys pulled off this morning.”

“I wasn’t talking to you,” Jaxon growls.

“And what the fuck makes you think Faith wants to talk to you?”

The air, charged with alpha pheromones, turns deadly still.

“I don’t know what you think you know,” Jaxon says at last, lowly, “but this is Pack Wilder business. So you can stay out of it.”

“Pack Wilder business?” Maverick clucks his tongue. “Not sure what that has to do with Faith.” His gaze darkens. “Last I heard, you assholes were too good for her.”

I can sense it happening—Jaxon coiling up, Maverick hardening, two alphas bracing for a fight.

I put myself between them. Jaxon, I sign. You should leave.

“I’m not going anywhere. You need space, fine—but when Caleb said he was taking you somewhere safe, this is not what I had in mind.”

“She’s plenty safe,” Maverick snarls. “Unlike you guys, I’m taking good care of her.”

“That why she’s been out, god knows where, for hours?” Jaxon’s eyes flash, scanning me up and down. “That why she’s in pain?”

At this, Maverick stops. “That true, kitten?” he asks me, softly. “Shit, why didn’t you say something?”

“Don’t talk to her like that,” Jaxon snaps.

“Me don’t talk to her like that?” Suddenly Maverick’s all rage again. “You’re the one who’s been stringing her along without even getting your head alpha’s go-ahead.” He sneers. “At least if I decide to court her, I can follow through. You know—instead of breaking her heart.”

This is getting out of hand. And yet, my inner omega preens, excited by the thought of two strong, capable alphas fighting over me.

“You piece of shit,” Jaxon seethes. “I knew you were always in this for yourself, just waiting for your chance to—”

I slam a hand on either alpha’s chest, separating them before things can really escalate. Enough! my eyes scream. All these violent pheromones are wreaking havoc with my omega. She knows I can’t flee, which means I’ll go straight to fight. I won’t be able to stop myself.

Thankfully both alphas seem to register this at the same time. That bloodthirsty focus softens into something I don’t even want to identify. Maybe pity.

“I think you should go,” Maverick mutters. “Clearly, she’s not ready to talk.”

Jaxon’s jaw flexes. Just as I think he’s about to start swinging after all, he digs into his jacket pocket, pulling out a plastic baggie with all my medication.

“Make sure she takes these,” he grits out. “Pain meds three times a day. Vitamins in the morning.”

Cautiously, I accept the bag.

“I will,” Maverick promises.

Jaxon watches me for a moment longer. I almost can’t bear to return the look—not when his scent is so thick, so enticing, like melted chocolate. I want to put my lips on his skin and suck the sourness right out. Make things right again.

But the most right thing I did by Jaxon was leaving him. One day, he’ll see that.

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