Page 9 of Wolf's Claimed Mate
But when he saw me, Declan had his own anger for a lot more personal reasons.
“Declan,” Dakota called. “Come spar with us. You can verse the loser.” She jerked her head towards me.
“I’m not losing,” I snapped. But my glare remained on my brother. Declan just stared at me before putting headphones on, starting up the treadmill, and ignoring me.
“So, word has it he doesn’t actually intend on speaking to you,” Dakota said, stepping away to return to her training dummy.
“At least he didn’t leave this time,” I muttered. Sighing, I went over the machine next to Declan’s, holding up my hands as if in surrender. His gaze flicked to me and then away, unbothered, as he continued running, keeping a good pace.
I started my treadmill up, putting it higher than his.
He didn’t start the competition of pacing with me. I was glad.
Yet we were brothers, running next to each other, never once sayinghello.
***
My run was broken by my phone ringing. Across the gym, Dakota’s phone chimed. Next to me, Declan pulled his phone out, too and stopped his treadmill. He was already out the door before I could answer Fenrys.
“Dinner at our pack house,” he said, voice tight. “Both packs are required to be there. I’m tired of this bullshit of everyone avoiding each other and not cooperating. Be there in half an hour.”
Declan and Dakota must have had the same message from Aidan. Dakota smiled, sauntering out of the gym. My brother disappeared into the locker room, a silent ghost that I couldn’t be around. I ignored him, quickly changed into clean clothes, and headed to the house.
***
When the two packs got together, the house was suddenly very full. Aidan and Jason took up one whole sofa; Dakota sprawled over Aidan’s lap, his hand caressing the small of her back under her jacket.
Fenrys and Thalia sat around the coffee table on a mound of cushions, unboxing pizza. Everyone else filed in around them. Declan hovered near Jason’s other side, draped over the back of the couch.
I took my place at Fenrys’s side. Sasha, Lyna, and Theo all filed in, the rest of the Silverlake Valley pack slowly coming in after them.
It was the first time I’d been in a room with Sasha since the night in her apartment. Dressed in a white, cropped t-shirt and high-waisted pants, I saw enough of her figure that mymouth went dry. She wasn’t wearing anything beneath her t-shirt, and the see-through material left little to the imagination.
“Con, it’s weird to see you so quiet, man,” Theo said, laughing. I felt Sasha’s eyes on me. “Somethin’ on your mind?”
I looked Sasha up and down pointedly, letting her knowIwas witnessing her. I answered Theo in a tight voice. “Not one thing.”
He shrugged. The room had a buzz of noise as we all talked among ourselves. Watching Declan come alive with Jason, the two of them laughing between themselves as they argued over what pizza topping was better, was weird to see. I hadn’t heard my brother laugh in years.
“Fuck off, meat feast is better,” Declan declared, swiping a slice layered with pepperoni, extra cheese, and beef.
“Nah, barbeque chicken is better,” Jason claimed. He saw me watching them. “What about you, beta? What topping is best?”
“Meat,” I muttered, grabbing a slice of what Declan had. He rolled his eyes. I hated this. I was usually in control, the loudest voice in the room after Fenrys. But I fucking hated Aidan’s pack being here, I hated my brother putting me on edge and refusing to speak to me, and I hated the weird energy going on with Sasha.
I didn’t like feeling out of control.
Iwantedcontrol. I needed an outlet, some way of finding it again.
Fenrys cleared his throat. The room fell silent, save for Declan and Jason, still bickering.
“You want to shut your pack up?” I asked Aidan, titling my head. “Declan always was a talkative little shit.”
I wanted a rise out of him, but Dec didn’t give it. He fixed me with a stony glare.
“Be disrespectful to anyone in my pack again, and I’ll cram my fist so hard down your throat it’ll come out of your—”
“Aidan,” Dakota giggled. “No need for that.” She pecked the side of his jaw, tugging his attention back to her. I was surprised he wasn’t up there with Fenrys, but I supposed Kato had brought the war to Silverlake Valley first.
