Page 34 of Cost of Courting

“Because that’s going to magically change what you are?” Edric teases, sending Bailey into a vicious temper.

“I am an alpha.”

“Who stinks of omega?”

“Edric,” I say, silencing my pack mate.

I haven’t taken my eyes off Selene, and, if I’m right, she’s awake and just pretending to sleep.

I cover my mouth with my hand so she doesn’t see my smile when she does open her eyes.

“I am an alpha,” Bailey hisses again.

“Okay,” Edric says and shoves him off.

“I’m leaving.”

“Don’t let the door hit you in the ass,” Selene growls.

Bailey pauses. His face crumpling before he can smooth it all away. “I didn’t know.”

“I don’t care.”

Selene opens her eyes. She’s not surprised to find her new location, but she’s not happy. She sweeps a seething glare in my direction and then refocuses on Bailey.

“You led me on. You had a girlfriend. And, apparently, a pack. Still, you sought me out. You’re a piece of shit, Bailey Raines. In fact, alpha, beta, or omega, you fit this pack perfectly.”

“Fuck, I missed your filthy mouth,” Edric says in a delighted purr.

She visibly prickles, drawing up and glancing around the room.

“Go get my clothes,” she growls at me.

“No.”

“Mael!”

“Selene.”

She slides off the bed in just her underwear and stands up, wincing.

“What happened to you?” Bailey asks harshly. “Who attacked you?”

She gives him that cool expression I’m so familiar with. “No one attacked me. Don’t be dense.”

My attention sharpens. “Selene.”

She tosses her hair and glances at me and away.

“Were you fighting? In one of those illegal fight rings?” Bailey is aghast. “You could have been killed.”

“I wouldn’t have died.”

“You are tenderised black and blue, look at you!” Bailey shouts. “How could you be so stupid, so selfish, what about Lu-”

Selene punches him in the face. She moves so fluidly, so aggressively, that I find myself frozen, staring at her in awe.

Bailey catches her second punch and holds her fist. “You don’t want to start something with me, Selene. You’d have to pull down all your preconceived beliefs and actually face the fact you’re not upset I hurt your sister. You’re upset I wanted her and not you.”