Page 101 of Impossible

Joshua says, “Risk isn’t a very good teacher.”

But Risk nods. “It will be easier when you have the bond.”

“What?” I ask dumbly at the same time that Hollis and Leon bark, “Risk!”

Joshua has stiffened, icy blue eyes frozen on me.

Risk looks around, bewildered. “What?” he asks. “Like wewouldn’tbond our fated mate?”

The night shatters.

The rest of the pack is saying something, but I don’t hear it over the dull roar in my ears. The room tunnels until all I see is the fire in the hearth, flames licking at the smoke-darkened bricks. I can sense frantic movements around the periphery of my vision. All of the distorted facts and feelings sort themselves into neat, clean rows.

Fated mate.

How did I not see it before?

How I felt with Leon, right from the start. How his scent differed from Wilder’s and Dr. Gray’s. My kiss with Risk, laced with need rather than fear. How the compounding of the pack’s scents with mine becomes a physical presence. Leon at my appointments, having lunch with me, Hollis and Risk inviting me over, Joshua giving me poetry. Not just friendship. Fate.

I startle back to reality. The air is sharp. Leon has moved close. Joshua and Risk are still on the ground, wide eyes locked on my face. Hollis is across the room, staring out the window, arms crossed in front of him. I see a muscle flexing in his jaw—just like Leon, in the exact same spot.

“Blue jay? You ok?” Leon asks.

My stomach sinks.

Nothing has changed except my awareness. But everything is different. There’s never been a maybe, not for them. They lied to me. This entire night, in the pack bed, at the dinner table, they knew what they wanted. Me. Naked. Vulnerable.

Leon’s anger over the pack sheet. His refusal to kiss me. Something black and sharp twists inside me.

“Take her home, Joshua,” Hollis orders.

“What?” Risk springs to his feet. “No!”

“Enough out of you.” Hollis whips around, his dark eyes turbulent.

“She’s ourmate,”Risk counters.Mate.

I watch him glare at Hollis and know something is passing through the bond when Joshua suddenly hisses, “enough.”

“Home. Now.” Hollis can’t even look at me. He turns back to the window. Joshua storms out.

I’m numb. There is no me, not now, just the words echoing in my mind and the movements of my pack around me, angry and upset.

My pack. No. Not mine.

I’m grateful to Hollis. He is austere and distant. Safe.

Leon’s green eyes are liquid with concern. I am terror. A man, nearly seven feet tall, biology tailor-made to… what, breed me? He reaches like he might touch me. I flinch away. He yanks his hand back. I don’t know what I want him to say, what I want him to do, but his silence feels dangerous. Heliedto me. His eyes are anguished, his hand rubbing tense circles around his stump.

He could hurt me.

The rational part of my brain knows he would never, but I’m beyond rationality now. I am hyper-aware of his fatigues and how they stretch over his muscular thighs and what is hiding underneath and I don’t understand how last night I could blush with embarrassment and pleasure imagining it and now the thought makes all the blood drain from my head, leaving me barely hanging on to the buzzing black edge of consciousness. How I clung to him on Wednesday, desperate for more, but would cringe if he dared move closer now.

Joshua returns, my crutches in hand. “Here, Indie,” he sighs. “Let’s get you home.”

I tear my gaze away from Leon and struggle to my feet. Risk opens his mouth as though to say something, then lets out a low growl instead.

“Enough.”Hollis’s voice drips dominance. I shudder. Risk cringes, and that iswrong.I want to comfort him. I want to run.

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