Reaper goes quiet for a long moment, then reaches for the whiskey and takes a swig from the bottle. I don’t say a word. He can have it.
“I’m happy you found your mate, Salena, but there needs to be consequences. From now on, we are not on friendly terms. We will not enter each other’s territories unless it’s for important pack business.”
“If you hear anything on the streets about who’s responsible for the killings . . . ”
Reaper holds up his palms, and purses his lips. “Not my place.”
A growl rumbles up my throat. “Reaper, so help me–”
Reaper stands up, meeting me head on. “You’ll what? You know, once, I’d let you talk down to me, but not anymore.”
“Reaper, you can’t force a mating bond. That’s not how it works,” I reason.
His hand runs over his head, and he grips the back of his neck. “Fuck! I know that. I just thought the imprint would take after . . . Look, I’ve always liked you, Salena. I’ve never hidden that.”
“You liked my body Reaper, nothing more,” I state, cutting him off.
This whole thing is awkward. I’m not used to Reaper sharing so much. Reaper lifts his piercing gaze to mine. “It was so much more, but like I said, I understand. I don’t have to like it, but I understand. I wish you the best, Salena. I really do.”
With that, he turns, walking out the door. Felix and Grady are still at the bar, waiting. Having heard everything. I pull out my phone and dial Ash’s number. It goes straight to voicemail.
Growling, I hang up, my fingers flying over the screen,
Salena: Ash, I just spoke to Reaper. Call me.
Chapter Thirty Three
Salena
It’sbeenquietallweek. No messages, no dead animals and no dead girls showing up. I know it’s stupid, but I’m hoping maybe whoever it was has lost interest. It would be stupid to let our guard down, though. Someone wants me gone.
Ash hasn’t replied to the several messages I’ve left her. I don’t know what she’s playing at, or if what Reaper said is true, but I need to find out. Logan apologized for the way he left things the other night, but said he didn’t want to talk about that stuff. As much as I hate it, I’ve decided to wait until after they catch my stalker to tell him everything. I’ll show him what I am, and explain he’s my mate. I just hope it goes better than trying to explain to him about his gifts.
“Hey, Alpha,” Lola says, skipping into the house and slamming into me.
“Hey, Squirt.”
“I ain’t no Squirt.”
“You’re the baby of the pack, so you're Squirt,” Felix says, coming up behind her and ruffling her hair.
“By six months!”
She and Rose are six months apart in age, but Rose is definitely the more mature one. Both girls don’t have parents and were adopted into Lucy and Grady’s house.
I tip my head back, laughing at her outrage. Lola lightly punches my arm as Felix wraps his arm around my shoulder and places a sweet kiss on my head. I hate that he’s so much taller than me. I’m the big sister.
“Hey, do you think a candle shop would smell pretty if it caught on fire?” Lola’s curious voice cut through the silence.
Startled, Felix and I whip our gazes back to Lola.
“What?” I choke.
“You are now banned from all candle shops, Lola. Do not go near them,” Felix declares with all seriousness.
I pat his stomach and move from his arms to link elbows with Lola. “She wasn’t serious. Right?” I say, looking down at her.
“Right,” she responds with a nod, a cheeky grin spreading across her face.
