My eyes narrow. “Toby?”
Theo nods. “Yeah, he’s seen way too much.”
I want to rip his head off right now. Toby, that son of a bitch. What the hell is wrong with him?
“I don’t give a damn who’s spreading the word, Harlan,” I growl. “But if you keep running your mouth about Lo, I will pluck out every single one of your goddamn teeth until you’re eating mashed potatoes and overcooked green beans just like your fucking grandfather before he died.”
Theo holds my gaze, but the edge of his bravado is gone. The heat in my words is enough to make him swallow whatever protest he was about to make.
“I’m not the one you’re angry with, Beck,” he mutters, taking a step back. “But fine. I’ll keep my mouth shut.”
I nod once, turning on my heel and storming out of the aisle. I don’t need to waste another second on him.
I’m done listening to anyone talk about Lo in this way. She’s not some kind of scam artist. It’s bad enough that she’s been through hell. The last thing she needs is the people of this town, Theo and Toby specifically, making her the villain.
I’ll deal with Toby next. That asshole’s got a lot to answer for.
But for now, I’m going to make sure Lo knows I’ve got her back. She won’t fight this fight alone. Not while I’m breathing.
Quickly, I make my way to Lo’s place, anger still bubbling through my system, hot and raw. I can’t shake the image of Toby’s smug face, and the smile I’m about to wipe off it the moment I see him again.
But my fist uncurls when I see Lo’s front door. My Alpha screams to protect her, but not with my temper.
I take a deep breath, trying to calm the storm raging inside me before I knock. I can’t go in there all riled up; Lo doesn’t need that. She’s already been through too damn much.
I raise my hand and rap three quick knocks on the door, the sound of it echoing too loud in the quiet of the street. When thedoor swings open, I’m greeted by her wide eyes, the ones that are always holding back so much. She’s trying to keep everything inside.
I wish she’d let it out more.
She stares at me for a beat, then steps aside, wordlessly inviting me in.
Her place is a mess, clothes strewn around, a suitcase half-packed in the middle of the living room. The urgency in her movements isn’t lost on me. Something inside me tightens, a knot of possessiveness taking root in my chest. I know that look.
“Lo,” I start, rougher than I intended. “You’re leaving?”
She glances up, her dark eyes cautious, wary of something she won’t let me see. She nods, then turns her back to me as she picks up a jacket and shoves it into the bag.
“My family knows I’m here. It’s better if I stay with Ford and Hayes for now.”
Oh.
So she’s not leaving town?
Fucking hell, relief floods me like a painkiller.
Good. And with my packmates, she’ll be well protected.
Still, the knot in my chest hardens, my fingers itching with the urge to pull her close, to make sure she knows she also belongs with me.
I take a step forward, and she doesn’t even seem to notice until I’m right behind her. “You know I’m here for you too, right?”
She sighs, the sound heavy and full of words she simply won’t speak. “I know, but?—”
I don’t let her finish. I grab her arms and whip her around to face me. Before she can protest, I crash my lips against hers and everything in my world snaps into focus.
I feel her. The softness of her body, the delicate heat radiating from her skin, melting into me. My hands are on heralmost instantly, gripping her ass, drawing her close, feeling her curves under my fingers, the undeniable pull of her body against mine.
It’s not enough. I need more.
