Page 29 of Fated Guardian

It’s a direct question. And I’m expecting a direct answer.

What I’m not expecting, however, is for Thorne to slap his hands on the desk and growl.

“You have to be fucking kidding me.”

I blink. “Excuse me?”

“I heard rumors, but I didn’t think they would be true. Nolan—reliable, dependable Nolan—would never take advantage of someone who was in a vulnerable position like Coral is. He wouldn’t try anything, because he’s Nolan,” Thorne sneers.

Anger rises in me.

“I didn’t believe them. But now you’re here, and you’re asking me to approve Coral as your mate? No fucking way.”

I can barely contain the snarl in my throat. “It’s not like that. Coral and I care about each other.”

“And you just thought you’d waltz in here and tell me that you’re going to ask her to be your mate?”

“Yes, Thorne. I like her. She likes me. I’m about to turn thirty in a month?—”

“That’s not her fucking problem,” Thorne snaps. “She’s being hunted. She’s a faerie. She’s not one of us, Nolan, and I don’t givea shit that you left it until the last minute to find a mate. Coral doesn’t deserve someone who would take advantage of her?—”

“Take advantage?” I bark. “I didn’t take advantage of her, asshole. We care about each other.”

“She can’t care about you! She’s vulnerable, and your job was to protect her, not fuck her!” Thorne roars.

We stare at each other. Chest heaving, I search his eyes for some hint of understanding. My wolf is itching to fight him. It’s taking all of my restraint to keep myself from shifting.

“Find another mate to make up for your stupid fucking mistake, Nolan. It’s not Coral’s problem that you didn’t find one in time, and you are not going to take advantage of her.”

“Thorne—”

“Point. Blank. Period. Would you defy your alpha?”

Shit.Shit.Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t fight Thorne. Not when I’m weak like this.

I hold his gaze for a few more seconds, then I look to the side.

“You’ll take her back to her place. I’ll find someone else to guard her,” Thorne barks.

I don’t argue.

Leaving his office, I stomp out. I decide to run home instead of drive.

Taking two steps, I freeze. I have to tell Coral that we’re…

There’s no fucking way I can do that. Telling her that it’s over between us? It’s not true.

Coral can’t lie. I can. But I never want to. She’s been so honest and open with me. I can’t tell her that I’m going to mate someone else. I don’t care if I lose all my power. If I have to choose between living as a shifter and living without her, I’ll pick Coral.

Every time.

Chapter 9

Coral

After Nolan goes to talk to Thorne, I’m humming, thinking of all the ways that I can add more plants to the Earthship, when I realize that I need more clothes.

I’ve left basically everything at my cottage. There are more clothes there, and some more mementos from the hive in Seattle, and… herbs. I want all my herbs.

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