Page 37 of The Bear's Fated Mate
“They were pretty smart to begin with,” he admitted sheepishly. “I figured why try and improve on perfection?”
He took a deep breath, placing a hand over her heart. Steadying her as she gathered her courage.
“I can do this,” she whispered. “It’s right that I do this.”
“You can do anything,” he agreed.
He kissed her fiercely, none of the playfulness that had been there earlier remaining. It was intense and powerful, and as much of a promise as any she’d received.
When she crawled off his lap and straightened her shoulders, he uncurled himself and stood at her side, waiting patiently.
Lara marched across the room to where her sister sat behind a massive oak CEO’s desk. Unlike the working one in the office, this one was all about intimidation and presence. It didn’t matter that Crystal was currently working on a jigsaw puzzle on the surface, the space screamedI am the one in charge, don’t interrupt me.
Lara stopped in front of the desk, legs set wide, fists resting on her hips. “Crystal.”
Her sister waved a hand as if shooing away a fly. “I’m busy.”
Lara leaned forward, placing her hand on top of the open space left in the puzzle and blocking Crystal’s work. “I heard something that’s got me worried, and I’d like to talk about it. Would you mind if we go somewhere private?”
A rude snort shot from her sister. Crystal leaned back in her chair and looked Lara up and down with barely a glance to the side at Alex. “Oh, honey. You want some privacy? Oops, sorry. That’s not the wolf way. You got something to say, you say it right here in front of everyone.”
It didn’t feel right. Lara glanced at Alex then back at Crystal. The words were taunting, as if she were trying to cause a fight. “Why are you doing this?” Lara muttered softly.
Crystal shot to her feet. “Because I’m a wolf. And because I’m the Alpha, and because it’s what needs to happen. What’syourproblem?”
Lara had tried. She’d really tried, but it seemed her only option was to go straight through her sister.
She took a deep breath. “My problem is you’re up to something. Possibly something illegal, or at least that’s my suspicion. But I hope to hell you aren’t. That you’re not dragging the Orion pack into something that’s going to tear us apart. So, since we’re doing this the wolf way, how about you relieve my suspicions right now and explain why there’s paperwork that requires my signature for some sort of deal that I don’t even know is going down?”
“Not very trusting, are you?” Crystal snapped.
They had the attention of every wolf in the room, with more trickling in through the open doors. Power leaked from Crystal, but Lara was more than able to stand up against it.
Anger and frustration gave her the ability to speak power for power. “I refuse to let this pack be involved in any criminal activity. I choose to make the right decision for our future.”
“But you’re not the one in charge, are you?” Crystal stepped from behind the desk. “I’ve been more than patient with you recently. I think it’s time for you to be quiet and go sit in the corner. Take your Pooh Bear with you—he’s the perfect stuffed animal to keep the little girl company.”
Did her sister really think a few insults were going to make her lose her temper? This was about so many things that were much more important.
And while Alex had plenty of reasons to be pissed, he was keeping his temper amazingly well. In fact, as she met his gaze, there was approval there. Encouragement even. He folded his arms across his chest and glared at Crystal.
All the events of the past six months bundled together, momentum building until it led to this moment. Lara had to decide if she was ready.
There really was no other choice.
She lifted her chin and met Crystal’s gaze square on. “I’m not letting you do this, sis…”
“Are you going to stop me?”
“Yes.”
The few murmured voices in the background flared briefly before settling again, every eye in the room fixed on them as power swelled.
“So you’re challenging me. I wondered if this day would ever come.” Crystal glanced over her shoulder, and out of nowhere, Auntie Amethyst marched to her side. Her purplish platinum hair was done up in a fancy do, the frames of her glasses an exact match. Her neat golf shirt looked fairly formal until you realized the logo was of two wolves in an indelicate position.
Together, the two of them marched to the centre of the room, face to face with Lara.
Heart pounding, Lara adjusted her footing a little more firmly. This had to be done, and it was the right thing to do. Didn’t mean she had to like it.
