Denial

Chapter 2 - Denial

Paige

"It's done," I muttered as I walked into Zane's office. The room smelled the same as it always did, like cigars and testosterone. I usually didn't mind it, but after being forced to sit in the car with Thomas and his little human lover for over an hour, surrounded by whatever cologne he wore, I was over it.

It's not like I cared about what Thomas did with other females. He wasn't my responsibility or my type. Even if he was, I didn't play around with males from my pack, and with him moving here, he was officially a member of the Redmoon pack. It was a rule I lived by, but it wasn't just about how annoying Thomas was. I didn't feel right about that chick. I was all for becoming a better person. Yeah, she's a human, but who gives a shit? A few of our pack members were mated to humans.

No, it wasn't that at all. It was more of the fact that she used to be a hunter. You either became one because of fear and hatred that was passed down through the generations that made you hate us or because you were forced to join. Irene didn't strike me as the forcible type, and that kind of hatred, it couldn't be washed out of you like a load of dirty laundry. It was bred into you until it was all you were.

I didn't trust her as far as I could throw her, and having to hear her and Thomas go on and on about their past just pissed me off even more. Irene was bad news. I could feel it in my gut, deep in my bones. No one was as nice as she was without an ulterior motive.

Zane looked up from his paperwork, giving me a slight nod as he leaned back in his chair. He looked a lot better now that he had found Lettie. He wasn't as quick to fly off the handle, and he smiled a lot more, which was saying something, considering he never used to smile after his parents were killed. Even his brown eyes seemed brighter, more golden than before. But despite him being happier than a pig in shit. He was still a fucking asshole at the best of times.

He gave me a smug look as he took in my raw tone. I was sure I was pushing my irritation out into the room, but I didn't care.

"I'm assuming it went well, considering your perky mood." I clicked my tongue, letting out a dry laugh.

"Peachy keen," I responded, looking around the room.

"Do you need anything else, or can I blow off some steam in the ring?" I drawled. My whole body felt like it was vibrating. I was never one to stand still, especially when I was trying my very best to keep my opinions to myself.

Opinions I might have already voiced a time or two and was warned to keep tight-lipped about around my Luna and best friend.

Zane narrowed his eyes at me. A calculating look washed over his face as he decided whether he should address my mood or not. And if Zane were a smart man, he would leave it, but I knew Zane almost as well as I knew myself. He was a prick who loved to stir the fucking pot. It's why he had me go pick up Thomas in the first place. He knew how much that guy got on my nerves and loved watching me break.

Yes, I knew I could decline his offer, but I also knew doing so would only give him more reason to make sure Thomas and I spent more time together.

"Spit it out, Peterson," He prodded, deciding to ask me a question to which he already knew the answer.

"You already know what I'm going to say, Zane. So why get me to say anything when you're just going to shut me down? Let me leave with at least one of us in a good mood." Zane rubbed his hands down his face, letting out a heavy sigh.

"Paige, we have gone over this time and time again. It was the only way Thomas would agree to come here. And Colette deserved to have her brother back after the shit they both went through, don't you think?" I didn't dignify him with an answer. Of course, he would try to guilt me into compliance, but I wasn't budging not on this.

"He has been through some shit with Irene, he told us the truth about her, and she was extremely open about her past when we interrogated her. She has even given us a few locations of past hunter camps so we can pass it along to the Bloodstone pack." Zane argued, but it was no use. I was about as stubborn as he was when it came to regarding my gut feelings.

"And like I have said before, Zane. It just all seems way too convenient. Nothing is ever this simple, this easy. Life isn't just black and white. If you think it is, then you're stupid. I don't trust her, and if you were smart, you wouldn't either."

"I never said I trusted her, Paige. But I'm giving her a chance to prove her worth. If she crosses a line, then it will be dealt with." I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah, just like you gave Sophia and her family a chance. Look how well that worked out for you. An almost dead mate and one fuck of mess left to clean up after you did damage control." The words were out before I processed what I had said. Like word vomit, I had just thrown up all over the place and fucked myself royally again.

As the Beta of the Redmoon pack, I got away with more shit than most, but this was way out of line. Scratch that. I crossed the line eons ago. This was breaking the earth out from under me and falling into the pits of hell territory.

"I did-" I started.

"Don't." Zane snapped, cutting me off. His jaw tensed, and his eyes darkened as his wolf pushed forward.

"You're on border patrol for the next week, Peterson. And I want you to think long and hard about what you say next because you're on thin ice. I get that you are looking out for us, but bring that shit up again, and I'll have you out of this pack faster than you can blink. You've said your peace, and I've been patient with you, but I'm done with it." Zane stood, slipping on his pinstriped blazer and straightening his suit. I'd never understood why he always had to look like some prissy asshat, but to each their own, I guess.

"You're dismissed," he growled, and I gave him a stiff nod before high tailing it out of his office.

I boycotted the fighting ring and decided to go for a run instead, needing the fresh air to fill my lungs and the forest surrounding me to clear my mind. My wolf had been silent for most of the day, never really being one to interject in my chaotic ways. We had always been like that, though, never stepping on one another. It was nice to have a good bond with my wolf, especially when I knew not many were as lucky as I was.

"You're overthinking again, Paige," Odessa muttered, snapping me out of my trance. We had returned to the pack house fifteen minutes ago, but I still hadn't made my way inside. So instead, I walked outside the ancient castle, bidding my time and avoiding potentially running into Thomas and Irene again or any other male trying to convince me to take them up on their offer of sleeping with me.

"Am not," I muttered as I rounded the front gates again.

"Are too. It's late. They won't be up. You know this. Get some food and rest. We start border patrol tomorrow, thanks to your lovely mouth." Odessa mused. I rolled my eyes at her.

Okay, maybe she didn't always keep to herself.

"Don't remind me." I groaned.

"Food and then bed." She ordered before slipping to the back of my mind. I did as she said, making my way inside, only because she was right. I was tired, dirty, and starving. I needed a shower, but my stomach protested at that thought, so I made my way to the kitchens first.

To my disappointment, it wasn't empty like I had hoped. A few of the freshly shifted males were sitting at a table joking and eating snacks. They stopped talking as I entered and made a beeline for the fridge. Each of them whispered, not so quietly, to one another until one decided to ask me the question I knew was coming.

"Hey, Paige. The guys and I were all talking, and we wanted to know. Is it really true that you refuse to sleep with any of the pack members?" I pulled out a bottle of water, tipping it back, almost chugging the entire thing in one go before placing it on the counter and grabbing a dinner container. The cooks always prepared meals for the night patrol and late eaters. It was a godsend.

Of course, the newbies were talking about me. I was the first female Beta in the pack, and apparently, they thought my no-pack sex rule was a challenge I had set to get them to all try and win me over. It was pathetic and morally degrading for them, really. But that never seemed to deter any of them. I was honestly starting to think it was some kind of initiation into the pack house at this point. Because it always ended with one of the kids on their asses with a bloodied nose and black eye while the others ran in the opposite direction, apologizing like the cowards they were.

"How is it any of your business who she fucks, pup?" A deep voice cut in before I could rip the poor kid a new one. I knew who it was without having to turn around. His presence was all-consuming.

I had to fight the shiver that ran up my spine from the sound of Thomas's voice. It irritated me how good he sounded. It also annoyed me how much my body responded to him. He made me act like a bitch in heat, and I was not okay with that. If anything, it made me dislike him even more.

I put my food in the microwave, blatantly ignoring them all.

"It was just a question." The idiot responded like he had some kind of death wish. Thomas let out a dark chuckle that had my toes curling, forcing me to bite my tongue.

"Stupid questions can get you killed, Pup. I'd remember that next time you go to open your mouth." Thomas said, the threat perfectly clear but also subtle enough that it would have the kid questioning his life choices for the next week or two.

I bit back a smirk as their chairs all squeaked against the tiled floor as they made a quick exit. Leaving Thomas and me alone in the kitchen. I silently cursed Odessa for convincing me to come inside.

I could feel Thomas's eyes burning into my back as I continued to ignore his presence. The time on the microwave seemed like it was taking an eternity as it slowly counted down.

"You didn't have to do that. I can handle myself," I muttered, finally breaking the silence.

"I know." He answered.

The microwave finally beeped, and I quickly grabbed my food, cursing inwardly as the hot container burned my hands. I grabbed a fork and made my way for the exit.

'Night," I muttered as I turned the corner, not allowing myself a second to look at Thomas. I heard him mutter a quick goodnight as I raced down the hall like a pathetic little teenager hiding from her crush. Except I wasn't a teenager, and I most definitely didn't have a crush on Thomas Evergreen.