The thing Matt hadn’t told Bryce—couldn’ttell him because he didn’t want Bryce’s pity—was that Matt wasn’t the kind of man Jesse would stay for.
The conversation with Lindsey had changed some things, but they didn’t take away the fact that Matt was everything Jesse hated. He was overbearing, demanding, and always in control. Jesse liked being in charge of his own life, and honestly, that was part of what Matt most admired about him. He wasn’t willing to give up his freedom. And most certainly, not for Matt.
* * *
Back at home, Matt hadn’t realized he’d been counting on seeing Jesse again until disappointment kicked through him on finding the kitchen empty. Deciding Jesse was probably with Missy, Matt went to take a shower and wash off the scent of the office that clung to him.
When he came back into the kitchen, he’d only just poured himself a coffee when Karl came through the door. The tension radiating from him had Matt’s wolf on edge before he even spoke.His pulse ticked up, senses sharpening, body recognizing something was wrong before his brain did.
“There’s nothing I can put my finger on, but something’s not right,” Karl said. “I’ve sent Christian and Dave out, but I’ll be happier if everyone’s out there before dark.”
Dread lurched in Matt’s gut. He’d truly thought the threat had gone—he’d let his pack downagain,failed to protect them. He locked that thought away because he couldn’t let himself get distracted.
Leaning out of the back door, he rang the big brass bell that Tristan called the Bat Signal. It was mostly used to let everyone know it was mealtime, but it came in handy if he needed to call the pack together unexpectedly.
Tristan skidded into the kitchen, followed a moment later by Bryce, still shirtless and toweling his hair from his own shower. Matt could see Jason rushing across the yard from his bunkhouse. The only one missing was—ah, there Jesse was, wandering over from the barn. He wasn’t hurrying. Matt clenched his jaw, unsure if Jesse was deliberately taking his time to underline that he wasn’t at Matt’s beck and call, or if he just didn’t know what the bell meant.
Once they were all together, he laid out the plan for the night, assigning sectors of their territory to the four patrols he’d identified, ensuring the less capable pack members were paired with a wolf who complemented them. Karl, Bryce and Jason wasted no time in leaving to patrol, and then Matt was left with Tristan, looking uncharacteristically rebellious, and Jesse, whose expression he couldn’t quite decipher.
“I want to help, Matt,” Tristan said. “I’m not a kid anymore.”
Matt bit back his sharp retort because he knew Tristan’s urge came from a good place. He also knew Tristan wouldn’t have a hope in hell against the kind of wolves Jesse had described. Thekid was only twenty but more than that, he was earnest and honest andgood, without a speck of viciousness in him.
“Not this time,” he said.
Tristan’s shoulders slumped, and he slouched out of the kitchen. Hopefully to go and do some schoolwork rather than spend the night worrying.
“Kinda hard to miss you didn’t include me,” Jesse said. His voice was neutral, but when Matt met his gaze, anger was sparking. “I may not be part of your pack, but if what you said is right, that they’re following me, this is my business.”
“And that’s exactly why you’re staying in the house tonight,” Matt told him.
“I can look out for myself.” Jesse’s lip curled. “I been doing it long before coming here.”
“Remind me again how you ended up here? Bitten, chased, then taken down by Christian.”
The words had the effect Matt intended, shutting off Jesse’s complaint, but the cost—Jesse’s head went back and there was deep hurt in his eyes. As if Matt had betrayed him by listing out his string of failures.
Well, some hurt feelings didn’t matter so long as they kept Jesse safe. Matt turned on his heel, ready to leave, but Jesse’s voice stayed him.
“I ain’t your pack, so I don’t gotta do what you say.” He huffed, no amusement in it. “Don’t even know why I asked.”
And Jesse was sliding past him, heading for the back door. For the gathering darkness that might be hiding an enemy pack, seeking to tear him limb from limb. Matt reached out and grabbed him.
Jesse flinched violently, a full-body jolt of panic. The shock of it ran up Matt’s arm, stopping him cold, his fingers still clamped tight.
Then Jesse stilled completely, his breathing the only movement, ragged and harsh like it might rip him apart.
“Jesse,” Matt said, low and urgent, trying to undo what he’d just done, but still not letting go. “I’m trying to keep you safe, damn it.”
Jesse looked down at the hand clamped on his arm, then up into Matt’s eyes. “Got a funny way of showing it, maulin’ me like that.” The words were sharp, but Jesse’s voice trembled. Matt had really triggered something.
“I don’t want you to get hurt,” Matt ground out. “Why the fuck can’t you listen to me? Justonce?”
Jesse snarled, his wolf flaring in his eyes, wild and dangerous. The shift in energy was so sudden it brought Matt’s own wolf to the surface, ready to fight, but he caught it in time. Jesse wasn’t attacking. Not yet. He was reacting to being restrained.
“You got no damn right,” Jesse flung at him.
Something in Matt snapped. “I’ve goteverydamn right,” he growled, voice low and rough,alphain every word. “This is my house, my territory, and you’re my mate.”
