Page 56 of Mortal Blood
“What’s wrong?” he asked at once, and I shook my head.
“Nothing, it’s fine.”
“Did you just ‘nothing’ me, princess? Because you know how I feel about you hiding what’s worrying you. Do I need to take you back to our dorm and spank the truth from you?”
My breath caught in my throat at the threat and a comfortable heat spiked between my legs. Cole chucked roughly, nostrils flaring.
“Hey!” I objected, slapping his shoulder. “You arenotallowed to use your stupid shifter senses for…that.”
“Oh, aren’t I?” he said, catching my hand and backing me up against the tree, then pinning my hands above my head while his eyes roved over me hungrily. “Says who?”
“Um…” I licked my lips, trying to think of some kind of response that would make actual sense.
“Fuck, you’re hot,” Cole breathed, and ducked his head, claiming my lips in a smoldering kiss that had me melting against him. And then he pulled away.
“But you still didn’t tell me what’s wrong.”
“Thaden,” I said bluntly, and then ducked his eye. “I’m sorry, I know he’s your friend, but…”
“But nothing,” Cole said, releasing my hands but pulling me against him to plant a soft kiss on my forehead. “You’re my mate. Tell me what he did.”
“I just…” I looked down at the ground. “It’s stupid. I thought things would be different, after…you know. But if anything, it’s worse.” I felt my cheeks burn, and my voice slipped out as a whisper as I forced myself to look at him. “It makes me feel dirty.”
Fury flashed through Cole’s eyes above me and his jawtensed. “I’ll speak to him.”
“No, don’t.” I blew out a breath. “I appreciate it, honestly. But we need this alliance. And I can handle Thaden. He just…gets under my skin.”
“You don’t have to handle him. Just say the word.”
I shook my head firmly. “No. I’ll deal with it. Don’t bother giving me that look, Cole Bryant. I am more than capable of standing up for myself.”
He let out a throaty chuckle. “Don’t I know it? My beautiful, fierce mate.”
“Yeah, well, I’m not as fierce as Ryker,” I said, stepping out of his grip. “So we should get going before we both get our asses kicked.”
Cole let me go but caught hold of my hand, wrapping it in his as we set off through the wooded track, and Thaden’s mind games seemed a whole lot less significant. With my mate by my side, there was nothing I couldn’t do.
The walk took only a few minutes and then we emerged into a clearing—where I couldn’t help but notice pretty much every shifter in our year was already gathered. A quick scan of the gathered faces told me Ryker wasn’t here, so we weren’t technically late yet…but I had a feeling we were about to have bigger problems. More than one dark look was being sent in Jax’s direction, and towards us as the other shifters noticed our arrival.
“Look who’s here,” Kallan said, stepping from the cluster and looking us over with a cold smirk. “I thought starting shit and then running away was more your pack’s style.”
“You’re the one who should start running,” I snarled, and itwas only Cole’s hand around mine holding me back.
“Aw, what’s the matter? Did you go running back to mommy?”
“If youevergo near her again—”
Kallan swaggered forward, Eva and Harvey on his flank as ever. “You’ll what, dhampir? Try to bite me with your filthy abomination fangs? Because I’ve got teeth too, and they’re bigger than yours. Want to see?”
Cole thrust me behind him. “Back the fuck up, Kallan, while you can still walk.”
“I don’t think I will. Your pack–”
“Is not here right now,” Ryker’s voice snapped from behind me. “And nor is yours. I’m the only alpha here, and like fuck are you going to waste my time arguing about who’s got the biggest dick. Back up, the pair of you. And Cali, why is it when there’s trouble you’re always standing right next to it?” He looked from Cole to Kallan and back. “Did I fucking stutter? Move. Now.”
His words carried a rumble of power, and both Cole and Kallan averted their eyes from each other as it hit them.
“Asshole,” I muttered under my breath, glaring at Kallan. His head whipped round and he stared daggers my way.
