Page 56 of Knot a Tie
I ring him, but it goes straight to voicemail.
Grimacing, I don’t bother leaving a message. This is a conversation we need to have in person. Well, as ‘in person’ as we can get.
I quietly climb back into bed. Richard turns towards me in his sleep and wraps his arms around me. I lay back with a smile and close my eyes.
This is perfect, and I will not lose it or him.
ChapterThirty
James
“So, you’re just going to sleep with her and then leave?” I ask Richard, who I've caught just about to sneak out of the front door.
I’d been waiting for it, if I’m honest.
When William told me he was here, I threw some clothes at him and told him to go and see Rayne.
I expected them to fall into bed, it was pretty much a given over everything I’ve seen from her in the last few days, but this is just typical Richard.
“Fuck off,” he growls, not even turning back to face me. “You don’t know anything.”
“I know you’re a selfish dicksplash that is going to leave her heartbroken.”
He spins around, anger etched into his face. “She knows I can’t stay.”
“Then why get in so deep with her?” I’m furious now. I’m really starting to care for the omega upstairs and he is treating her like dirt. It enrages me to the point where I have to cross my arms to stop myself from kicking his arse.
“Leave it alone, Jay,” he snarls. “She knows my reasons. Don’t try to stop me and don’t try to find me.”
“You’re such a fucking wanker!” I spit out, dropping my arms and marching up to him. “Use her and leave her. Fucking nice, arsehole prick.”
“Shut it, Jay.” His face goes dark, and he clenches his fists.
“Do it,” I taunt him, knowing he is dying to throw the first punch. “Christ knows I’ve been dying to kick your arse since you walked out and left me here to runyourpack.”
With a loud growl, he lunges. I let his fist connect with my face, so I’ve got the excuse to retaliate. I draw back and feeling only slightly bad about it, I hit him so hard in the face, he goes down.
That’s a first.
But he is already damaged.
Regardless, I take the victory, but it’s too soon. He swipes out with his feet, knocking me off mine to land flat on my back on the unforgiving white marble floor of the entrance hall.
“You fucker,” he roars, launching his battered body at me.
I roll over and shove him forward, so he falls face first to the floor. I push him over and straddle him, bunching my fist in his shirt.
“You’re the fucker,” I shout, punching him again and not holding back. “You fucking abandoned me. You were my big brother and you just left without a fucking word, leaving me here to deal with all of this shit that should’ve been your responsibility. This wasn’t my destiny, arsewipe. It was yours!”
“Why do you think I fucking left?” he thunders. “I didn’t want any of this! Cursed by positioning to be the one born first by two minutes. Two minutes that ruined my life forever.”
I growl loudly, ready to hit him again, but he shoves us over and then rolls off me, to sit up panting and feeling his bruised face.
“You don’t know what it’s been like for me all these years, Jay. I’m no leader and being groomed to take over the pack as prime alpha made me miserable. Everything that goes with it was a weight heavy on my shoulders.”
“How do you think it’s been for me?” I spit. “Do you think it’s been easy stepping up when you bailed? It’s been hell.”
“I’m sorry,” he whispers. “I really am, Jay, but you don’t understand. I’m an alpha that can’t bear to be touched. The thought of mating with an omega to get her pregnant and have my children made me physically sick. How could I run a pack with that hanging over me every hour of every day?”
