Page 41 of Wolf Tormented
I don’t give a fuck what they think, though. They are members of my pack, and I give the orders around here.
I pour two fingers into the glass and take a sip. The alcohol burns a path down my throat, and my shoulders relax just a fraction.
Can I really be pissed that they are looking after my mate? She inspires loyalty wherever she goes.
They are doing something for her that I should be doing. Guilt claws at my chest, but I push it back down. No. I can’t feel guilty for protecting my pack from what will happen if I get too close.
Another reason, I can’t get too close. I almost let my loyalty to her destroy everything before. I can’t get lost in her when Grayson is most likely still scheming and there are humans traipsing through my territory like they own the place.
I refuse to let her distract me from my goals. We need to keep the pack protected at all costs.
“You’re supposed to be guarding her, Angela. Why did you leave your post?” I clink the ice in my glass as I take another sip.
“She’s a mess, Archer. She doesn’t want anyone seeing her like that.” Angela shakes her head.
My shoulders slump, and the moment the cruel words spewed from my lips plays on repeat in my mind.
Why did I have to spit those words at her so venomously?
She absolutely did not deserve that. It’s my own fucked up past that’s making me shove her away with the ferocity of a fucking monster, but there’s no going back on it now.
I almost destroyed everything once before by giving into the chaotic emotions my mate makes me feel. If I’m not careful, this could all end in fucking disaster.
Alex stomps to the bar and grips the wood as he leans over it.
“I know you would do anything for Jara—I saw the way you were when you saw the bruises on her skin. Why the fuck are being an asshole to her?” Alex stares too long into my eyes.
I raise an eyebrow at the enforcer. He’s pushing his luck. My wolf growls in my mind, forcing his way to the surface at the clear challenge in Alex’s eyes.
“Alex.” Angela grabs him, pulling him back. “That isn’t a good idea.”
“I just want to know why my little cousin is miserable when he’s clearly in love with her,” Alex shouts, yanking his arm away from Angela.
Love?He has to be wrong about that. I care for her probably too much, but I don’t even really know what love is. I have never had a great example of it. Could Alex be right?
My wolf howls in my mind. He knows exactly how he feels. His animal instincts scream at him.
Pain sears through my chest as the images of her reaction to my words flash in my head again.
“Getting mauled by the alpha isn’t going to help matters,” Angela whispers.
Fuck, I have to go to her. I need to make it up to her, but how can I do that? How can I give her this piece of me and not be weak? Is that even possible?
I stride past Angela and Alex and out the door of my office. Trudging up the steps to the bedroom, my oversensitive ears pick up Jara’s sniffling and soft sobs.
What the hell have I done? Have I broken my mate? She’s not even mad at me, just crying.
What happened to the woman who challenges me at every turn? Has she given up on me?
Fuck.
I hesitate outside the door, leaning my head against the cool wood. Did I ruin the one good thing I have found in my life?
What if she refuses to speak to me again? What if this is the last straw for her and she leaves for real this time? Not that I could really blame her.
Why do I continuously let my ruthless father’s teachings fuck with my life? He never showed kindness or love to anyone. Not to me or my mother, and not to the pack he ruled with an iron fist.
I always said I would run my pack differently, and for the most part, I have. So why can’t I get his teachings out of my head when it comes to my mate?
