Page 77 of Where There's Smoke
“And who are you?” the beta asked with a pissy tone. It’d been two seconds, and I already hated this guy.
“I’m Captain Wilder,” I said, standing up to my full height, which was a good deal taller than him. His eyes widened slightly as he took me in, a hint of unease in his eyes.
“Well, I’m sorry for disturbing you. I’m just here to get my sister.” He said that like it was a done deal, as if Melody had no choice in the matter.
“Excuse me?” Sam growled behind me.
“We’re very thankful you’ve been looking after Melody, but sheneedsto come home,” Reed said, his tone rushed, not meeting my eyes.
“I’ve already told you—I’m not going back home,” Melody insisted, leaning closer toward my pack.
“Well, the lady has spoken. Goodbye,” I said simply.
Reed glared at me before rolling his eyes. “Look, man, this has nothing to do with you. It’s a family matter.”
I wanted to smile—or wrap my hand around his throat for thinking he could takemyomega from me. The anger at his attitude was almost overwhelming. I usually kept a level head, but there was something about this guy’s smarmy tone that made me want to snap. And the fact that it was her brother made it that much worse.
Family isn’t supposed to treat you like that.
“Melody, do you want to go with your brother today?” I asked, keeping my voice as even as I could.
She shot me a withering, desperate look. “No. I want to stay here.”
“Well, you can’t force her to leave,” I said, directing my words at Reed.
His face turned splotchy red. I had no doubt that if he and Melody were alone, he’d be forcibly dragging her out of the firehouse. But facing three alphas, he was woefully outnumbered and outmatched. Hell, even the weakest alpha could put Reed on his ass in a millisecond.
“You can’t get involved in this. It’s family business,” he said, his voice strained. “She never even bothered to tell us she was an omega.”
“What relevance is that to you?” Melody asked, exasperated. “This ismylife, Reed.”
My eyes narrowed. The only reason that would matter to them wasn’t a good one.
Reed looked stumped for a second, then stammered, “If we’d known, we would’ve made sure you had everything you needed.”
“Idohave everything I need,” Melody replied pointedly. “The guys have taken amazing care of me.”
“They’re not your family. Their motives may not be good,” Reed argued.
Melody snorted—a sharp, indignant sound. “Well, I doubtourparents’motives are exactly noble. I didn’t forget about all the dates I was forced to go on, all the speeches. Have you?”
“Look, you’re anomega. You should be home with your family.Legally, we’re supposed to be protecting you,” he insisted.
“Oh, get stuffed, Reed. I’m well taken care of here. I haven’t needed my family in years, and don’t try to use any fancy lawyer talk on me,” Melody growled.
“Now, listen here. You’re going to listen to me, or I?—”
Grabbing Reed by the collars of his pathetic suit, I backed him toward the exit. He went with the expected, “Get your hands off me,” but I didn’t give a single solitary fuck. Pulling the door open with one hand, I shoved him through with the other.
“You don’t threaten our omega. If I see you near her again, I’m going to take legal action of my own and get a restraining order. Good day.”
I slammed the door shut without another word and turned back to the room. Everyone looked at me in shock, but it didn’t take long for Melody to run up to me and launch herself into my arms.
“Thank you, Elliot.” She looked up at me, her doe eyes large and beautiful. “Thank yousomuch.”
After a moment, Melody pulled back, hurrying to her phone on the kitchen counter and flicking open her screen like she was on a mission. Tension radiated through her that I could sense from here, and her jaw was set as her obvious anger built up.
“Firecracker, what are you doing?” Fitz asked as she pulled out her phone and started furiously dialing.
