Page 113 of Shadow City: Silver Wolf

"Are you saying that Griffin doesn’t know the difference between lust and a fated mate bond?" I growled as my wolf howled inside; Dick even insinuating that Griffin should be with someone else enraged me.

He must be acting like this because Luna is upset,Griffin justified.

Whether Griffin realized it or not, this prick was insulting his intelligence. I might not have worldly knowledge, but that didn’t give Dick the right to disrespect or disregard me. There was no doubt that Griffin and I were fated mates. The feelings were similar—attraction-wise—but lust didn’t explain the immediate connection and love that you felt for the person; the acknowledgment of both halves of the same soul seeing each other for the first time.

Dick glared, and the vein somehow appeared larger. "I’m saying that attraction can be a confusing thing and that he wouldn’t be the first that thought with his—"

"Dick?" I couldn’t stop my mouth from running. "It’s funny and fitting that it so happens to be your name."

Babe.Griffin sounded both horrified and amused, which was an odd combination.I love your sense of humor, but he has been good to me. He’s helped me so much since Dad died, so let’sat least give him a break and not poke fun at his name, please.

Oh, shit. Griffin had no clue what this man was really like. He was completely buying Dick’s act. I had to tread carefully because this could become a problem between us. It wouldn’t break us, but I didn’t want to force my opinions on him and make him bitter or resentful. I had to get him to see the truth gradually because Griffin trusted Dick.

Of course, he did.

He was letting this man make decisions on his behalf. He wouldn’t do that if he didn’t trust him. I needed to warn him about his intent, but honestly, this gift was newer to me, so I wanted to make sure I was reading people correctly before throwing around accusations. Prior to coming here, I was almost always around the same people—none of whom had read negatively to me.

Thankfully, he was talking about taking back control.

"Do you think that’s the first time I’ve ever heard that joke?" Dick lost his calm, and his body turned rigid. "It’s very unoriginal, which already confirms my suspicions about you." He held out a hand toward Griffin. "Someone like that wouldn’t be the fated mate of the strongest alpha of our species."

Wow, he’d laid it on thick. I had to give him props, he wasn’t half-assing. "Look, you’re right. That was uncalled for…but you came here, insulting not only me as a person, but my bond with Griffin."

"The fact that you’re calling it an insult should prove that you don’t have his best interests at heart like I do." He placed a hand on his chest and closed his eyes. "If you were his mate, you would appreciate that I’m worried about him."

Okay, that’s too far.Griffin’s annoyance flared.I’ve given him enough leeway.

Griffin opened his mouth, but I cut him off; I had to call the guy out on his crap if I wanted Griffin to see things for what they really were. "If you didn’t come here and essentially call my mate stupid and insult my intentions, maybe I’d feel differently. To add insult to injury, you tried to pimp your daughter out to him—despite him telling you that he was never interested—and that our bond is final since we claimed one another. To me, that comes across as pushy and manipulative." I smiled sweetly at him, trying to play one of his own hands against him. "I’m sure you appreciate what I’m saying since it’s out of concern, much like your words are."

"Now listen here." He locked gazes with me, challenging my wolf. He planned on forcing me to submit to him. "You don’t get to come here and talk to me that way."

"Actually, you came here." I held his stare, effortlessly. This guy might be strong, but he was nothing like a silver wolf, or even Griffin. He had an inflated sense of self-worth, which madehim more dangerous. But I refused to look away. Griffin said he wanted us to lead together, so that was exactly what I would do. "You’re more than welcome to leave."I hope I’m not making you angry.I did care about upsetting Griffin.

No, he’sbeing an ass to you, even if it is out of concern for me.Griffin squeezed my hand lovingly.You need to stand your ground. It’snot okay, what he’strying to do.He has to respect not only me and you but our relationship. So do whatever you feel needs to be done.

That was exactly what I’d hoped he’d say, but I was relieved that we were on the same page.I love you.

I love you too.

Sweat sprouted along the top of Dick’s lip as his wolf began to struggle against mine.

My wolf growled inside—but not because she was feeling the strain. She was angry. She could feel the darkness in him too and was both annoyed that he’d questioned my and Griffin’s bond, but further irritated that he expected us to submit to him. "Are you feeling okay?" I tilted my head while maintaining eye contact. "You seem to be getting overheated."

"I’m fine," he rasped, his words shaking. He had to be on the brink of submitting to me. The fear reflected deep inside.

In my peripheral vision, I saw him reach a hand into his pocket. A few seconds later, his phone made a noise. He pulled it out and glanced at the screen. "Oh, my phone rang." The smell of a lie was nonexistent because he had, in fact, made his phone ring.

He was a clever asshole.

I wanted to call him on it, but I’d pissed him off enough for one day. "Is everything okay?"

Dick ignored me once again and focused on Griffin. He said, "Consider what I said, and maybe call Luna tonight? She’s been worried."

"Look, I’ve let you have your say." Griffin stood and stepped behind my chair, placing his hands on my shoulders. "I’ve even watched you be disrespectful to my mate, but that ends now. You are like family to me, but Dove is my claimed fated mate. There is no confusion on either of our ends, and Killian is very happy for us. If you insinuate one more time that Dove is not, in fact, my mate, it will cause problems between you and me, which I would hate."

"You’re letting a girl..." Dick sputtered, seeming at a loss for words, "come between us? Lunalovesyou—"

A deep, threatening growl emanated from my chest. If he said that bitch’s name one more time, I would attack his ass.

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