Page 107 of Knot for Me
“What was that?” he asks, arching his eyebrows. “Speak up.”
“I said, perhaps we should consider easing off. Let them buy land. Let them start businesses. Don’t we have enough already?”
Lucas clears his throat. “The royal families have plenty, and it’s not like any of the low packs are rich enough to take anything from us.” He adds the last part for Cornelius’ benefit.
“Once we give them an inch, they’ll take fifty.” Cornelius shakes his head. “This matter isn’t up for discussion.”
“Why don’t we take a vote?” I ask, drumming my fingers on the table. “Maybe some of the other council members would like to speak?” I glance around, noticing grim faces. No one is brave enough to go head-to-head with good old Cornelius.
“I’m using my position as head of the council to say this matter is closed for discussion. Now, let’s move on.”
Scoffing, I push my chair out with careful control. “I have another appointment.” A bad lie, but no one calls me on it. Cornelius doesn’t even acknowledge me. I grind my jaw but leave the room, resisting the urge to throttle the old man. I pace the hall, trying to figure out what exactly I’m going to do now. I can’t leave without the guys; we all drove together.
Cornelius is a fucking bastard. He’s going to be the reason the council fails.
“Hey,” Cory says, closing the door behind him as he joins me in the hallway. “You okay?”
“I’m fine,” I say, running my hands through my hair. “Have you checked the cameras?”
He nods. “Two minutes ago. She’s fine. Amelie is there.”
“Good.” I blow out a hard breath and shake out my hands. “I need to hit something.”
“Here,” he holds up his hand, letting me throw a punch against the flat of his palm. Hissing in pain, he shakes off the strike. “Better?”
“You shouldn’t have let me do that. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I can’t have you trying to pick a fight with Lucas’ dad,” he whispers.
“He’d deserve it,” I mutter. Cornelius reminds me of those alphas that used to bully me, only instead of being bigger than me, he’s simply more powerful. I. Hate. That.
The door to the conference room opens, and Lucas comes out, eyes flicking between us. “Let’s go to our appointment.”
I smirk. “Can’t be late,” I say, joining in on the lie.
Once we take the elevator down to the ground floor and get inside the car, Cory pulls out his phone and mashes the buttons. “I’m calling in a pizza order.”
“Good idea,” I say, crossing my foot over my ankle and bouncing it.
Lucas cracks his knuckles before gripping the wheel tighter than necessary.
We’re all slowly going mad. We thought we could be strong and survive her heat, but this entire pre-heat week has done nothing but show me we’re going to die if we stay in the house with her. We’ll have to leave. There’s no way I can be in that house with her, hearing her go through her heat, smelling her slick, and keep control. I’d never do anything to hurt her, but I don’t know what going into a rut will be like. I don’t want her to worry about us while she’s trying to make it through her heat.
All that matters is that she’s comfortable.
ChapterTwenty-Seven
REAGAN
The guys arrive home a few hours after Amelie leaves. Cory sets three pizza boxes on the counter in front of me, eyeing the nearly empty beef jerky bag. Marco and Lucas come in behind them, talking quietly about what sounds like work issues.
“Are you hungry?” Cory opens a box and turns it toward me.
“I’ve been eating all day.” I set down the piece of beef jerky I’m holding, grabbing a slice of pizza instead. “But yes, I’m starving.”
He smiles. “Was there enough food for you?”
Lucas and Marco stop talking, sliding their gazes toward me.
