Page 45 of Twisted Mates

“No, absolutely not.”

“Why not?” Alexia says, propping her hands on her hips and glaring at my stepfather. You’d think she hates him as much as I do, but there’s no way. She doesn’t know thehalfof it.

“Because it’s inappropriate, Alexia. You will not be with Xander while you shift for your first time away from your family. You will be with Carrington and that is all,” he says, glaring in my direction as if he knows something is going on between us.

And honestly, if the fucker couldn’t put me to death for it and get what he’s wanted ever since he’s known me, I wouldn’t care. But after what happened the other night at the overlook, I know Alexia is worried sick. She’s tried to tell me she’s not, that it isn’t bothering her anymore. But I know better. I’ve gotten to know her well enough by now that I can tell when she’s hyperfixating on something. And I know just by watching her in those moments when she goes quiet that she’s thinking about it. She’s scared. And because of that, I am determined to be with her during the shift.

“Why can’t we all just be here together?” I butt in, leaning against the counter. “Don’t you think it’s hard on all of us with Kai not being here?”

His gaze darts between us and the silence is deafening as he hits us with his disapproval. “I don’t think it’s difficult for you at all, Xander. It seems to me like you’ve been perfectly content since Kai’s been gone. I don’t think you’ve given one thought to him or what he’s going through; imagine how he must be feeling, separated from his mate like this.”

I fail miserably at holding in the sarcastic laughter that erupts from me. “I think if Kai was concerned about his mate and her first shift since leaving home, he would be here. It’s clear he doesn’t give a damn about Alexia.”

Alexia tucks her lips between her teeth, and she too fails to hold in her true feelings because a derisive snort leaves herthroat. Clayton’s head snaps in her direction and her eyes go wide.

“Do you have something to say, Alexia?” he asks, taking a step toward her, and I don’t like his menacing demeanor. I don’t shy away from moving to her side, and she relaxes as soon as she’s within my reach.

“I just think you’re being a little bit ridiculous, Mr. Braxton. Xander is right; if Kai really cared, he wouldn’t have left. Xander is my friend, and he’s Carrington's brother too. Not to mentionyourstepson. I just don’t understand why you’re so upset. And with all due respect, I’m a grown ass woman and I’ll do what I want.”

Clayton fidgets with the gold ring on his pinkie and nods. “Yes, you are a grown woman. I suppose that is what surprises me in this situation. You felt the bond with Kai, and you know how strong that connection becomes during the shift. Yet here you are willing to spend that intimate moment with someone other than your mate.”

I clench my jaw and prepare to come to her defense, but she doesn’t need me. “And just what would you like me to do? Mymateisn’t here.He all but rejected me. You do know that, right?”

The silence that falls over the room makes it very clear that Clayton did not know that.

“What are you talking about?” he asks, narrowing his eyes on her.

“The text he sent when he left. It said, ‘I can’t do this. I’m done.’ I take that to mean he is done with me. He’sgoneand no one, not even you, knows where he is. So who am I to feel a connection with? The connection will be nonexistent. So I am unsure what the problem is here.”

Clayton rolls his eyes. “Oh, please. That is not a rejection. The words were not spoken, it’s not official. There’s a whole ritual that has to be performed. Stop being so histrionic. Yourconnection is not gone just because he’s not in the house. That is no excuse for this behavior.”

Alexia’s lip curls. “‘This behavior’? What the hell does that mean? Not just sitting here sobbing over a man who doesn’t give two shits about me? Actually trying to enjoy my life?”

The temperature in the room drops to subzero with the cold look Clayton gives Alexia. “Watch yourself, girl. You are to be the future queen. The last thing this kingdom needs is a ruler who struts about with other men like a common whore.”

“Mind yourself, Clayton,” I say through gritted teeth.

I’m happy to stand on the sidelines as Alexia fends for herself, but I refuse to be a quiet bystander when her honor is at stake. She’s right to feel abandoned by Kai and to make her wait out the full moon by herself because of his absence is cruel. Wolves are social animals. We are designed to be at our best when part of a pack. Denying her this basic need because Kai has chosen not to be here is unfair. She and Carrington haven’t exactly seen eye-to-eye lately. I’d hate for her first shift away from home to end up lonely.

“I suggest you do the same,son,” Clayton snarls. I open my mouth to tell him I’m not his fucking son, but Alexia holds her hand up, mere inches from me. It takes everything in me not to grab it and hold it against my chest. Clayton says that shit to get under my skin, and it works every time.

“You’re out of line, Clayton. Don’t speak to me like that ever again. You have no right to call me names. Maybe it’s best if I just go home for the shift. I’ll spend it with my family and then come back here afterward,” Alexia says.

Clayton shakes his head like an obstinate ram. “Absolutely not. You will remain here in this house with Carrington. Your parents do not need to know anything about the situation at hand. As far as they know, you and Kai are happy newly bonded shifters.”

“What? You didn’t care if I told them the other day!” she exclaims.

“Change of heart. I’ve been thinking about it and it’s good you didn’t. We don’t need the pack finding out about Kai being gone. Rogue packs could show up when they hear the future king is MIA, and that puts you and the rest of the familyandCrescent pack in danger. You will stay inside the house with Carrington, and you will keep your mouth closed. Understood?”

My jaw clenches and I want to punch him so bad I can taste it. Ihatehow he’s speaking to her, but I also hate that he has a point. I said almost the exact same thing to her the other day, albeit in a nicer way.

Alexia shifts from foot to foot and looks at the floor. He’s effectively shut her down, and I can see her folding into herself.Goddess, I hate him.

“Fine,” she mutters as Clayton storms out of the room, just assuming we’re both going to listen to his orders. He’s about to find out what happens when you assume.

“Xander?” Alexia says, her voice soft.

“Yeah?” I say, turning toward her and slipping my hand into hers.

---