“A lone wolf who has free passage,” I blurt out, trying to remember what else Remy and Julien told me about my omega rights or whatever. “You can’t—”
In the blink of an eye, Rossi has me up against the wall, holding me by the throat, one thumb pressed against my jugular. “I can do whatever the fuck I want. You’re a criminal in the eyes of the triumvirate. You have no pack and no Alpha. You—”
“Julien’s my Alpha,” I snarl.
“Not by law. His darling procurator hasn’t even submitted the paperwork yet.” He leans closer to speak directly into my ear. “And Alpha Matisse will be dead before the night is out.”
My body goes cold and I stop struggling against Rossi’s hold. “What are you talking about?”
“The challenge starts in less than two hours.”
“Challenge?” I croak out, visions of blood and death playing through my mind and making my legs go wobbly. Rossi releases me and I slump to the ground, my knees too shaky to hold me up.
Rossi smiles down at me, a cold, predatory expression full of triumph. “Your precious Julien was too stupid to attempt diplomacy in the matter. He flat out refused to continue with the mating alliance, a blatant insult to Alpha McAdams, so McAdams issued a challenge.”
“No,” I say, the horror of my father’s death—no, the man who Ithoughtwas my father—replaying in my head. I can’t let that happen to Julien.
“It’s too late to do anything about it now,” says Rossi. “The terms have already been set and Matisse agreed.”
No. Iwon’tlet this happen. If the challenge is about the mating alliance, then I know at least one way I might be able to stop it.
I narrow my eyes at Rossi. “The challenge can’t go forward because there’s no real basis. Refusing the mating alliance can’t be considered an insult when Julien’s my fated mate.”
Twenty-Two
Keir
Ittakesmelessthan a second to realize telling Rossi that Julien is my fated mate might not have been the smartest decision. Remy advised against it for a reason but, in my defense, my brain was too stuck on the idea of Juliendyingthat I didn’t stop to really think it through. Also in my defense, Rossi doesn’t exactly seem surprised at the news, so how much damage could my word vomit really cause?
The Chicago Alpha chuckles, the corners of his mouth stretching into a politician’s smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. “Thank you for confirming that for me.”
Shit.
“No problem,” I reply, forcing a smug tone—not an easy feat since I’m sprawled on the ground, literally looking up at the asshole. He’s already gotten me to say more than I should. I don’t want him to see how anxious I am on top of that.
“Jake, I want you to deliver a message to Matisse for me,” says Rossi, gesturing the other shifter closer. “Tell him I’ve got the omega and I’ll trade him for my brother’s wayward mate.”
His brother’swhat? What the hell is he talking about? My brows pull together, and I watch Jake leave before turning my attention back to Rossi.
He looks down his nose at me, probably noting my confusion. “This situation is certainly not ideal, and I had hoped I was wrong, but it is what it is. You’re worthless to me at this point, so I might as well attempt to appease Victor.”
That doesn’t really clear anything up for me, but I’m not planning to ask for clarification. Remy said I only become worthless to other alphas if Julien claims me. Does that mean…Oh.I force my confused expression to stay put as another realization crashes over me: Rossi might have already known Julien’s my fated mate, but he doesn’t know that Julien hasn’t claimed me yet.
Half-unconsciously, I tug the shirt I’m wearing down in front so it comes up farther on the back of my neck. Since the shirt is Julien’s and more than a little big on me, that means I’m practically flashing my nipples, but at least it covers my unmarked skin.
Now that I’ve let the cat out of the bag—or at least confirmed there was a cat in the bag?—the last thing I need is for Rossi to realize Julien and I haven’t finalized the bond.
“Now hold on a minute,” says Randall, the first words he’s spoken since Rossi snatched the contract away. “What about my money?”
Rossi rolls his eyes. “Take it and go. It’s not worth my time to argue with you about it.”
My former Alpha’s jaw drops and his gaze darts from the duffel bag to Rossi.That’s right, dumbass. The amount you bargained for is nothing to the Chicago Alpha. Just. Like. I. Told. You.
For once in his life, Randall does the smart thing. He grabs the duffel bag and retreats to one of the bedrooms, shutting the door behind him.
Somewhere behind Rossi, Luke clears his throat. “Fated mates are sacred.”
Okay… I’m not sure why my cousin suddenly cares—if that’s even what his statement meant—but Rossi doesn’t look happy about it.
