Jason growled. “I don’t need your help. Frankly, you’ve done enough.”
“What exactly does this program entail?” Silas asked.
“Daily meditation, prayer, diet, and the practice of ritual aura cleansing—”
“No way.” Jason scanned her from head to toe.
Laina huffed. “This is your life we’re talking about! Selene is offering you a way out. It’s not forever, Jason. Just until we can capture or kill Nickelova and Alex.”
“Laina’s right,” Silas said. “Every day you are out there living your old life is a danger to the pack. She’ll come for you again. You need to be prepared when she does.”
“What? What are you saying?” Jason rubbed his head.
“It’s the only way,” Laina said.
Silas set his jaw. “Selene, it would honor the pack if you would help my brother break his vice.”
“Hello? I am still standing here,” Jason said. “And I saidno way.”
Silas shook his head slowly. “And I’m alpha and this is my call. I’m putting you in Selene’s care, full-time, until we get this thing figured out.”
“What?” Jason and Selene said together.
Selene cleared her throat. “The program does not require my full-time care. I believe it can be accomplished with a half-day session three times a week.”
Silas shook his head again. “If I could count on my brother to follow your program, that would be good enough. Unfortunately, I don’t trust him—”
“Silas!” Jason pleaded.
“I’m sorry, brother, but you know as well as I do that you’ll be out the door and in the arms of the first woman you see.”
“What are you saying? You’re assigning Selene as my babysitter?” Jason gaped at his brother in horror.
“More like your warden. I want Selene to stay with you, full-time.”
“But I live in Sanctuary at Rivergate Manor. ThePreotka—” Selene’s heart raced. Surely Silas wasn’t suggesting shelivewith Jason. After all, the man looked as if he wanted to kill her at the moment.
“PreotkaArtemis will be receptive to your assignment when she understands the safety of the pack is at risk. I assume Jason can’t stay with you in Sanctuary.”
“No.” She chuckled softly. “Males are not allowed.”
“Then you will stay with Jason until he’s better. Do we all understand each other?” Silas looked between Selene and Jason.
Selene nodded.
“You can’t do this to me. I have work. I have a life.” Jason bared his teeth and planted his hands on his hips.
“The faster you get with the program, the faster you can have both of those things back,” Silas said.
“You fucking bastard.” Jason swung a fist at Silas’s head, barely missing Selene in the process. Silas caught his fist, palm slapping knuckles loud enough to make Selene tense away from the crackle of testosterone in the room.
“Back down, brother, or things are going to get worse for you. Much, much worse.”
He lowered his fist.
“I’m going to call Artemis and make sure we’re on the same page about Selene. I’ll meet you out front and escort you back to your condo. Selene, take your time getting your things together. I’ll wait with Jason until you can join us.” He nodded his good-bye.
“I need to find Kyle,” Laina said, hoisting up the skirt of her wedding dress and following after Silas. Gerty gave one last sideways glance toward Jason before making her own exit.
