“You damn well can,” I interrupt. “We are not leaving you here. Get your things.”
She looks between us, her head shaking. “You already gave me a job. You don’t need to move me into your home, too.”
I take another step until my chest brushes against hers, and she shivers.
“There is not a single part of me,” I breathe, “that is willing to let you stay here, Gabrielle. There are alphas prowling this area that look for omegas just like you. You want to know what they do?”
Her eyes spark fire at me, her chin lifting.
“I know what they do,” she says in a low voice. Her hands tighten into fists. “A lot better than you do, Cade.”
My head jerks back, my mouth drying. “Have they… has anyone hurt you?”
I’ll rip them apart.
She shakes her head, and my shoulder relax a smidgeon.
“It’s not forever,” she says in a low voice.
“It’s not for a second longer,” I shoot back, my tone flat.
“Get your stuff, Gabrielle. Or I swear to god, I will carry you out of here over my shoulder. I guarantee you that nobody will stop me.”
Her mouth falls open as Hudson’s hand lands on my shoulder.
“Please,” he implores her. “We can’t leave you here, sweetheart. We have more than enough room, and you can have all the space you need. A bathroom of your own, even. It doesn’t have to be forever. Just until you get back on your feet.”
Objection rises on my tongue, but I bite it back when Gabrielle hesitates.
“Just for now?”
My head jerks in a nod.
Her hands twist. “And I can pay rent?”
Thefuck nois about to come out when Hudson nods. “Whatever makes you feel comfortable.”
Choking back the denial, I fold my arms. “Need a hand getting your things?”
She glances at me from under her lashes as she ducks into the tent. “I’m good.”
Hudson turns to me as she disappears from view. His lip is curled, on the edge of a growl.
“For fucks sake, Cade,” he snaps. “Will you tone it down?”
A bark of laughter interrupts us. Seek is watching avidly from her seat next to the fire.
“Best entertainment I’ve had all year,” she remarks.
“Seek.”
Gabrielle ducks out of her tent, arms clutching material that Hudson gently relieves her of.
I watch as she moves over to Seek, the two of them exchanging a few words before she walks over to us. Her feet stamp just a little, enough to tell me she’s not completely happy with this arrangement.
For a second, I wonder if we’re doing the right thing.
But then my eyes slide right back to that tent. Imagining her coming back here, night after night, curling up on that threadbare fucking blanket in the cold…
