Page 23 of Midnight Moon
Hunter kept step with me. His hand hovered over the small of my back.
We were halfway down the dirt path which led to the Badlands’ guest cabins when I heard, “Blair.”
That voice.
Chills coursed down my spine, but I kept walking. I didn’t know what else to do. Beside me, Hunter did the same, though he threw hateful looks over his shoulder.
“Blair,” Asher called again. “We need to talk.”
Like hell we did.
I continued walking.
Footsteps drew closer.
Hunter stopped and snarled, “Back off, asshole. She doesn’t have to talk to you.”
“I know she doesn’t, but we’d like to speak with her all the same,” Chase responded, revealing he’d accompanied Asher on his pursuit.
I kept moving. My anger made it more than easy to resist the pull I felt to Asher. It didn’t matter how attractive I found him; he was now enemy number one. And I didn’t consort with my enemies.
“I didn’t take you for a coward, Blair.”
I gritted my teeth but didn’t give in to Asher’s taunt. I could see the lights on the porches of the guest cabins up ahead. I just had to get there, then I could slam a door in Asher’s face.
“No wonder your pack struggles to accept you as the next alpha.”
The insult hit me square in the gut, just as Asher intended.
Schooling my expression, I turned and gave him a blank stare. “What do you want from me?”
Hunter moved to my side, positioning himself so he was slightly in front of me. His arms flexed as his fists clenched. He was ready to intervene at a moment’s notice.
Asher strode towards me, unbothered by Hunter’s protective stance. His face was neutral, but the emotion I noticed in the meeting hall lingered in his eyes.
“I want the chance to explain.”
“Save it. I don’t need you to explain anything.”
“I think you do.” His eyes trailed over me. “Especially after last night.”
Hunter stiffened. “Last night?”
I cursed Asher in my head. Was he trying to start more drama?
“Stephanie and I met these guys in Denver,” I admitted, hoping to do damage control before Hunter’s mind could spin the situation into something it wasn’t.
My efforts were in vain.
“Why didn’t you say anything?” Hunter grumbled under his breath.
My forehead creased. Since when did I need to share every detail of my life with Hunter?
Before I could come up with a response, Chase intervened, “Does your pack’s next alpha report to you?”
Hunter glared. “Of course not.”
“Then, there’s your answer,” Chase stated. “Now, I suggest you and I leave Blair and Asher to speak.”
