-11-

[Second Mate II]

SEBASTIAN

About forty-five minutes after coiling my pain with a run, I returned to the packhouse to find Rory sitting on the step. His face showed worry, not anger, which I imagined he would prefer to feel toward me. “I’m not in the mood, Rory. Whatever you have to say, keep it to yourself.”

I knew how determined he could be, especially when the situation was urgent. Rory wasn’t the sort of person to keep his thoughts to himself, and considering what Sasha said, that made him even more persistent.

With an urging tone and a frustrated countenance, he stated, “As your trusted beta and best friend, I advise you to listen to reason.”

I pivoted on the balls of my feet and glared at him. “Since you want to pull rank. As your Alpha, I command you to stay out of this.” I walked past him and headed up the stairs. My chest heaved with anger, and my hands balled into fists, edging to punch him square in the jaw.

Yet Rory still wouldn’t give up. “I’m afraid I can’t do that