He clearly wants me dead after his people imprisoned and tortured me. He was fucking gleeful for my execution.
Archer shrugs. “That was confirmed when you found the snapped bolt in the storeroom.”
What the fuck?
“Why didn’t anyone tell me?” I narrow my eyes on the alpha, but I already know the answer before he opens his mouth. Heavy-handed bullshit.
“I told them not to.”
“Why?”
“Because I was handling it. You are mine. I protect you, and if I decide not to tell you something, then I don’t. Neither does my pack.”
“We really could have avoided all of this.” My laugh is hollow. “When I found out you were in the city doing gods know what, I told Angela I wanted to be alone. I thought you were cheating on me and wanted to be alone.”
Archer hangs his head for a second before he glares at me. “It doesn’t matter. You are not her alpha. You don’t command her.”
“I know I don’t command her. I asked for space, and as a friend, she gave me that space. Had I known what was actually going on around here, I would have made different choices.”
I turn to stomp away.
Archer grabs my arm and spins me back around to face him. “You are my mate, not the alpha here. You don’t get to tell her or anyone to disobey my orders. Do you understand?”
22
Archer
I stare Jara down as I wait for her to tell me she fucking understands. Just because she’s the alpha female, doesn’t mean she can give orders or disobey me so publicly.
“Do. You. Understand?” I bite out.
Her green eyes flash, and the scent of her anger engulfs me. I’d rather her be angry than fucking dead.
“Yes, Alpha,” she says through gritted teeth.
“You ever disrespect me in front of my pack like that again, there will be consequences.”
“Like what, Archer? You going to be cold and cruel to me? Been there done that, and I’m pretty sure you’re still doing it.” Jara yells.
I slap my palm over her mouth to quiet her. She’s really fucking pushing my temper here.
You would think after all this time she would understand. Everything I do is for my pack. Finding her like that nearly broke me.
I felt something I’m ashamed to even think—I was weak. I was weak because I couldn’t protect her, again.
The fact that I even have to protect her from my own pack makes me a weak alpha.
I cannot be weak. Not for anyone. Especially not for her.
“It will be much worse than you’ve seen before, Jara. You are mine, and as such, you will fucking obey me without question.”
A caustic laugh bubbles from her lips. “I thought you were living in this century, Archer. Women actually have brains and can think for themselves.”
“I will have nothing but complete obedience from my pack. Especially my mate.” I ball my hand into a fist and punch the wall close to her head.
The plaster cracks but doesn’t break. Jara just stares me down, unflinching. She knows I would never hurt her physically. I just wish she would stop challenging me at every turn.
I crowd her space, but she remains standing in her silence as we stare at each other. Her eyes glow with her wolf, and she snarls.