Rex “What?” I snarl, my voice low and menacing, as I yank open the door to our apartment and stare down Cooper, who apparently can’t take a hint. “You’re blocking me,” he states, equally annoyed with me. “You’re supposed to be my beta now. That means you can’t shut me out.” “I’m busy,” I snap as I adjust the tented towel around my waist and look pointedly down at where rivulets of water run down my legs, creating a little puddle on the wooden hall floor. I hear a sharp intake of breath from one of the she-wolves on the opposite side of the landing and some giggles, but I ignore them. My focus remains on my irritating brother, who is disturbing sexy shower time with my mate. “I can see that. And hear that. Everyone in the packhouse can. But you’ve been ‘busy’ for hours now, and Alpha Steel would like to speak with Leah briefly before he leaves.” “You don’t want him near your mate, so you come up here to fetch mine?” I grumble, being completely unreasonable but hitting close to the
Leah After waving Alpha Steel and Max off, I rub my hands together with glee. A plan is forming in my mind. It might be impossible to execute, but with John and Greg insisting on managing the Bootcamp for another week without me, I’ll have some time on my hands to plot. “He’s perfect!” I blurt out, spinning on the spot and grinning up at Rex excitedly. Rex just glares down at me, unimpressed by my announcement and not matching my enthusiasm. Hayley grimaces and ducks back inside, giving us our space. Rex has a face like thunder. His thick muscly arms crossed over his broad chest are almost mouth-watering enough to distract me from the palpable tension in the air. “Is he now? Get in the truck,” he says. His voice is eerily calm, but I don’t miss the twitch in his jaw as he tips his head towards it. “Not for me, obviously.” I roll my eyes at him, realising that he has taken my poorly thought-out statement completely the wrong way. “But for…” “GET IN THE CAR,” he repeats slowly, and
Rex POV Leaning against the back wall of the packhouse, I fold my arms and admire my mate. Leah has a group of pregnant women outside on mats doing a yoga class in the fresh air. She laughs and tips her head back, eyes sparkling as she jokes and messes with her new friends. And now, after nearly a year in the pack, they genuinely are her friends. She’s fitted in seamlessly. Unlike me, she has an uncanny ability to get along with everyone. People are drawn to her wherever she goes, just like I was. Sensing my presence, she looks around before finally spotting me and smiling softly at me. My heart feels like it’s going to burst out of my chest when I feel her joy at seeing me. She says something to her small class, who all chat amongst themselves as she gets to her feet before taking off and running toward me. I push off the wall and brace myself as she launches herself into my arms and wraps her arms around my neck. Burying my face in her neck, I grip her under the thighs and hold her
Rex The howling in my brain is so loud that I can’t stand it anymore. I drop to my knees on the soft blanket of pine needles littering the forest floor and grip my head in my hands. I had to cut my hair short so that I wouldn’t pull out chunks in my fists like I did the first time this happened. The first time she did this to me. It needs to stop. I know it’s my fault, and allowing this to continue is a kind of masochism. I should just let her go. But I need it too, as unhealthy as that is. I need to feel every last dagger to my heart. I need it, because when I feel this pain, the pure agony of knowing my mate is being intimate with someone else, I remember to hate her. To hate her with every fibre of my being. It forces me to remember the torture she has put me through. The absolute betrayal of our sacred bond that she has committed. And it calls a halt to any lingering thoughts I might have of us someday working things out. At least for a while. It’s long enough to stop me from
Leah “A bootcamp? What would I know about running a bootcamp?” I mutter distractedly, my phone on speaker, as I race around my apartment, shoving books and notepads into a backpack as I hurry to a late-night cramming session in the library. Final exams are looming. I am not feeling optimistic. While I am grateful that I had the opportunity to go to college, it’s cemented in my mind that working full time in an office environment is just not for me. “You don’t need to run the bootcamp. You would teach yoga, which is what you want to do, right? And you’d get free accommodation and food in return for helping with the guests, making breakfast, checking them in, whatever,” Hayley explains, and I sigh, knowing that no matter what I say, she is going to have an answer. “And of course, the best bit is the chance to spend lots of quality time with your favourite big sister.” I scoff, ignoring that part of her argument. She’s not dragging me into my twin sister’s constant one-upmanship. “Yes
Rex “She’s in,” Hayley announces with delight as she dances into my small one-bedroom apartment in the packhouse. She’s vibrating with giddiness as she plonks herself down on my sofa, tucks her feet beneath her, and grins expectantly at me. I’ve been gone for the weekend, running myself into the ground to get some peace, to ground my wolf. Cooper, my brother, and Hayley’s mate, must have told her I was back. “I know. I got your message.” She’s still grinning, ignoring my grumbling. “Hayley… I don’t think this is a good idea.” I’m blunt and don’t mince words, gesturing to her sitting in my living room with a wide, smug smile. She’s just way too happy. Hayley’s expression transforms from one of delight to one of exasperation. “Rex! Don’t be miserable.” She shakes her head and frowns, but I can see her eyes twinkling. The excitement that’s been building up inside her bursting out. “Go on, tell me again why this is so good?” I close my book and set it down, searching for the patience
Leah “Wow, Hayley, this place is gorgeous.” I let out a low whistle as I spin on the spot, taking in the stunning scenery. It looks even more gorgeous with the sun beaming down. It’s breath-taking. The surface of the lake sparkles as sunlight dances across it. A slight ripple carries across the shimmering water as a gentle breeze provides some soft respite to the heat. The bright green leaves in the surrounding trees sway in the wind, and there’s a lush forest right behind Hayley’s old house. The restored cabin juts up against a hill. The view continues around the lakeshore, broken only by the occasional house or jetty built at the side of the lake. It’s so peaceful here. It feels so remote, so calm and restorative, but is only walking distance to the quaint little town of Grey Ridge. “You would have seen it last time, except…” Hayley trails off, turning from her spot at the bottom of the stairs and grimacing. “Except… some lunatic set our guesthouse on fire?” I offer, and she frow
Rex There is something so peaceful about being up before dawn when the rest of the world is still sleeping, and everything is quiet. I inhale deeply, my chest rising as I pull in a lungful of crisp country air. The heavenly smell of damp leaves and fresh rain float in the air as I stare out at the picturesque lake view at the front of the bed-and-breakfast. The weak morning sun is just peeking over the tops of the trees, and it softly illuminates the slight haze hanging low over the water. It’s breath-taking. The porch light comes on as I walk up the steps to the front door. A sensor light was one of the extra security measures Cooper installed around the property after Hayley’s attack. Somehow, I don’t think any amount of lighting or alarms will ever be enough to make her feel completely safe here again. He felt like he needed to try because she poured her heart and soul into renovating this property. But a new start in a new home is probably better for both of them. I can see the