Monte snorted.
“We’re going to talk about that more later. There are things you need to know about me. Some of it may come up today.”
“Give me the abbreviated version quickly.”
“Short story is that my father has a terrible temper and it’s been problematic in the Pack. Josh would have probably exiled him if it weren’t for me and my mom. They could say I showed signs of being just like him.” He shook his head and turned a faint shade of green. “I don’t ever want to be like him, Zoey. But I will protect you at all costs, no matter what.”
I nodded. It was a reminder that we didn’t know that much about each other yet. But I knew everything I needed to know.
“You are not your father.”
“Thanks. I needed to hear that.”
“Monte,” Dean Shannahan called.
He took a deep breath and let it out.
“Guess I’m up next.”
“Remember, you did nothing wrong.”
He nodded, gave me a quick kiss, and then disappeared into the office as the door closed behind him.
I sat there anxiously waiting, wishing they didn’t have a dampener in the office so I could listen in to what was being said.
My leg bounced up and down until I couldn’t take it any longer and began to pace the small room that felt like it was closing in on me with each passing minute.
It felt like an eternity before the door finally opened and Monte walked out. He looked tired and his face gave no true clues as to how things went.
I ran to him and hugged him. He kissed the top of my head.
Dean Shannahan stood in the doorway clearing his throat. “Ms. Rey, it’s your turn.”
I looked up into Monte’s eyes. He managed a small smile of encouragement, but I had a bad feeling that things weren’t going in our favor.
Nervously, I forced my legs to move as I left him standing there to face the Dean. And as he closed the door behind me, shutting Monte out, my wolf perked up on full alert.
I had no idea that being locked up in a room with two males would trigger me so much.
The hair on my arms stood up and I crossed my arms and rolled into myself. It wasn’t like me. It didn’t feel comfortable, but it did feel necessary. My wolf’s agitation was not helping.
“Hi. I’m Josh Maxwell, Monte’s Alpha from Maxwell Pack.”
“Hi,” I managed, but that was it. I hadn’t even considered giving him my allegiance or showing any signs of respect. I was just trying not to freak out by the circumstances.
“It’s okay. You can relax. We’re just going to talk,” he said in a soothing voice.
“Easier said than done,” I muttered.
“You’re perfectly safe here, Ms. Rey,” Dean Shannahan said.
“Forgive me if it doesn’t feel that way.”
He all but dismissed my concerns with his response. “Don’t be so dramatic. Nothing will happen to you. This is regarding Monte’s place here at the ARC, not yours.”
I glared at him. “You’re aware he is my one true mate.”
“I am.”
