Page 40 of Break The Ice

I glance back at the porch. It’s got maybe ten boxes packed up against the window. There’s something puzzling about the way they are stacked, but I’m not quite certain. But then my attention is stolen.

Raider stills, the kind of motionless that brings awareness, and his fingers get tight, really tight.

“Raider?”

He lets out a low, menacing growl. I follow his gaze and see two women and four guys walking towards us.

“Ah, shit,” Callan hisses. “Raider, just stay calm, all right, it will be okay.”

The short woman has dark hair and dark eyes. The taller man is golden and kind of resembles Raider, but just in the jaw and the way he holds himself.

The omega has white hair and sapphire eyes. The porch light shows her clearly, and she’s beautiful. I hate her.

Beside her is a big scary guy with purple hair, a blue eye and a gold eye. Another with brown hair and a smile that makes me want to growl, and the third looks like an emo rockstar.

“Raider, we need to talk.”

“There’s nothing to talk about!” Raider spits. “So get in your car and leave.”

The white-haired woman looks at me, a long look. I know what she wants, but I’m not inclined to give it to her.

“If he doesn’t want you here, you should leave,” I say before I can stop myself.

The dark-haired woman is older, and she glares at me now. “And who are you?”

Raider growls even more savagely. “None of your business.”

“Raider!” the golden man chides.

“Raider, let’s just talk inside for a minute,” Callan whispers.

“No!” I snap at Callan. “Raider doesn’t want them here. They don’t come inside.”

The white-haired woman’s eyebrows raise. She exchanges a look with the purple-haired guy.

“I’m Bethany.”

I knew it was coming, but I don’t care. He clearly doesn’t want her. I should walk away, let them talk, but I can’t make myself go anywhere. He’s mine!

“Yeah, I’ve heard about you. You abandon people rather than facing your problems.”

Bethany jerks back, her smile disappearing. “No, it’s not like that.”

“Callan!” the dark-haired woman says as if she expects him to interfere and smooth things over.

It’s not happening.

I level Callan with a look.

He presses his lips together and doesn’t say anything to the beta. She draws herself up, all fury and determination. Well, I can match her any day.

“I’m Raider’s mother, Auggie. This is Charles and my Bethany’s pack. Saint, Hunter, and Crow.”

“Ah, the one who lost herself in grief when her son left and then her daughter left. Who forgot about her second son, even as he found his own way to greatness? Are you here for forgiveness?” I ask politely.

There is a brittle silence as they take that verbal slap and try to figure out what to do about me.

“You don’t understand-”

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