“So that’s what this is about!” I snap, my nerves coming out as rage. “You’re just being nice to me because you want to fuck me!”
Shawn stares at me, and his face goes cold. His expression turns so frosty, I expect him to lunge forward and grab me, drag me into the bedroom, and consummate our union whether I want to or not. Red spots burn on my cheeks in equal parts anger and shame.
“I don’t know what kind of guy you think I am,” he says very quietly. “But I’m not into that. Goodnight, Sara.”
He strides out of the room, not even glancing at me as he goes past. When I hear the living room door slam, the noise hits me like a blow in the chest.
What the fuck just happened? And why do I feel like I want to cry?
A storm of emotions rages through me as I leave the kitchen, heading up to the master bedroom. Even after such a long, hard day, I know sleep won’t come easy tonight.
Chapter 5 - Shawn
The next morning, the girls wake me up early and practically chase me out of the house to get Sara ready for the wedding. I meet the guys in front of the hall, where Rex has a nice suit waiting for me, and the four of us wait for the rest of the pack to arrive.
“You look nervous,” Cody says.
“Because I am nervous,” I answer. “Wait until it’s your turn.”
“No fucking way,” Cody replies, laughing. “I’m not a black ops hotshot like you guys, and I’m perfectly happy in my position as beta, thank you very much.”
“A pity,” Brad says. “You’d make a good alpha.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Cody scoffs. “I can follow orders, but I’m shit at giving them.”
“He’s not lying,” Rex says. “We put him in charge of a school dance once, and the thing was an absolute circus.”
“A circus would have been fun, at least,” Cody mutters. “We had no decorations, half the school didn’t get invited, and I booked the catering for the wrong day.”
“I see your point,” Brad laughs. “I guess we’ll keep you as beta for now.”
“It was good of Luke and Dan to step in as acting alphas back home,” Cody says. “I do feel much better about leaving with them in charge.”
“They’ll be on top of everything,” Rex assures him. “If the snake even flicks its tongue, they’ll know about it.”
“Our fiery friend has been quiet for a while,” Brad points out.
“Actually, that reminds me,” I say. “Sara said something about the snake last night. There was an old fairytale, a child’s rhyme that told them not to leave Clover because of a scary snake made of fire.”
“That is interesting,” Rex says. “We’re miles from the incursion site, and just outside the blast radius.”
“That’s what I figured,” I reply.
“Whoa,” Brad lets out a low whistle. “You think that the ancestors of these guys had to run from an incursion, and it scared them so bad, they isolated themselves up here for generations?”
“I think there’s a fair chance of it,” I say, nodding.
“Well, do some digging,” Rex says. “And see what you can find out.”
“I will,” I reply. “But Sara didn’t seem to know much about it.”
“Maybe the knowledge was lost along the way. We should ask the older folk, as discreetly as possible.”
“She said it was the alpha’s mate who sang the song. It’s a pity we can’t ask her,” I say.
A moment of silence falls over us. Jess was the only female killed in the attack. It was a small strike force of warriors, the alpha, and his mate.
“I deeply regret this,” Rex whispers. “Every aspect of it. She was a strong female to follow her mate into battle.”
