Page 19 of Wolf Unleashed
“That doesn’t matter.”
“It does. To me. You shouldn’t have to choose me over your family and pack. I never thought this through. I was caught up in…”
“In what?” he asked, resting his hands on her hips.
“In loving you. And the others. I let my heart lead without once thinking through the repercussions for any of us.”
“There are no repercussions, precious. Just a change in our paths.” He pressed his lips to hers. “We are meant to be together. I won’t let anyone tear us apart.”
Chapter Six
ALYSSA
Iwon’t let anyone tear us apart.
Rafe’s words from last night bothered Alyssa. He’d left his family and his pack for her, something that bothered her almost as much as his words. And he was bringing her to Maddox because he thought she needed Maddox on some psychic-physiological level thanks to the blood-bond. But his words sounded as if ultimately he was talking about being with her alone, without Tiernan and Maddox.
She had thought he was okay with sharing her, but now she wasn’t so sure. After talking late into the night, she’d fallen asleep in his arms. At some point, he’d carried her to the bed, where she’d slept between him and Tiernan. Neither shifter had touched her, not in the way she craved. It was as if they’d come to an understanding, at least when the other was nearby. No touching her, not in the way she wanted.
Before leaving the abandoned settlement, Rafe had caught two rabbits which they’d cooked and eaten for breakfast, an awkwardly quiet breakfast. Fortunately, her clothing had dried overnight. They left just after sunrise, with no one really talking. The day, while cool, remained free of rain.
“How much farther?” she asked as they took a water break at a stream. They’d been walking non-stop for hours.
“Four days, maybe five. If we could shift, it would be two, tops.”
They wouldn’t shift because of her. Damn wolf inside of her was taking her sweet time emerging. Seventeen years, more or less. She couldn’t count on her wolf anytime soon.
“How about stealing a car?”
“What happened to our law-abiding female?” Rafe asked.
“She has sore feet and doesn’t relish the idea of sleeping on the ground tonight. She’d even take another fleabag hotel at this point,” Alyssa said.
“Tiernan, there’s a popular tourist site a few miles east of here. One with a lot of RVs and a few SUVs. Campers mostly.” Rafe’s hand landed in the middle of her back. She liked the contact, but the way Tiernan looked at them when he turned around felt like a knife to her heart. He felt left out, she was sure of it.
“How are you at stealing cars?” Rafe asked.
“Good, if it’s an older model, without all the newer electronics.”
Tiernan picked up the pace, taking the lead. Alyssa jogged to catch up to him, leaving Rafe bringing up the rear. She could feel the alpha’s eyes on her as she slid her hand into Tiernan’s. “Talk to me.”
“Is that an order, Alpha?”
“Alpha?” Alyssa asked. “I’ve never been called alpha before. Is this you being jealous of Rafe or you trying to tell me I’m bossy?”
“Neither. Both. I don’t know.” He pulled his hand from hers and dragged his fingers through his hair.
She reached up and took his hand in hers again, this time entwining their fingers. “Rafe will settle down eventually. He just needs to be reminded that he’s not an alpha here.”
“Being an alpha isn’t a choice. It’s in his nature. He won’t lose it just because he’s no longer with his birth pack or because he wants to please you.”
She had stepped into a culture she knew nothing about, except it was more than culture. There was a science, genetics behind it all. Was she expecting too much from all of them?
“You’re defending Rafe’s actions, but at the same time, you withdraw when he’s around. Like you aren’t allowed to be with me. Has Rafe threatened you?”
“He doesn’t need to. Alphas can take what they want.”
“They can try,” she said. “But I’m not a toy to be passed around. Best you get that through your thick head, Tiernan. You and Rafe both.”
