“I feel like I’m the one who should apologize,” I tell her and she laughs.
“Honey, did you go up there and physically assault those men? No, it was my Alpha and children who did that. You’re not responsible for their actions or how they react. I mean, they did deserve it,” she says with a shrug.
“Are they going to be in much trouble?” I ask, petting behind the dog’s ear.
“For starting the fight, probably, but they won’t be in jail long. Those little shitheads can take us to civil court all they want. But at the end of the day they were protecting their pack, their family,” she says, squeezing my leg. “You’re welcome to stay here and wait while we get this resolved, or if you would be more comfortable at your pack’s apartment, I would understand, too.”
I look over at Mack, who seems stressed. As kind as I find Jonah’s family, I need a moment to collect my thoughts and get my shit together.
“I think we might go back to our place for the night,” I say and Liv smiles.
“I understand. We’ll plan something less eventful for our next meeting. Come here, Marie Antionette,” she says to the dog, picking it up and holding it close to her chest. “If you two need anything, we’re just a few floors up,” she says with a smile and Mack grabs my hand and squeezes.
He leads me to the elevator and when we’re back in the apartment; I feel like I can breathe again.
“Can you help me out of the dress?” I ask Mack, who immediately helps me unzip the garment, and it crashes to the floor.
It’s like the luxurious fabric was stealing my breath as I let out a small whimper.
“Do you want to take a bath?” Mack asks softly and I nod.
He’s methodical but quiet as he runs the water, undresses himself, and helps me with my underwear and boot. He helps me get in first, before cocooning me with his large frame.
I let myself melt into the warm water and his assuring presence.
“I should’ve told you who they were,” I say, finally breaking the silence.
“Why didn’t you?”
I turn and look at his cut jaw. He’s so handsome, and I wonder if this is too much. That I’m too much work. Looking away from him, I focus on the bubbles in front of me.
“At first, I think it was because Cole liked me for who I was and I wanted it to stay that way. I didn’t want him to look at me differently, knowing who my exes were. Then, with Jonah, it was clear that he came from money and I didn’t want him to think that’s the only thing I wanted from him. Then you have your large platform and I guess I didn’t want you to think that I wanted you for that. I guess I just assumed they would stay in the past, that it wasn’t something that ever needed to be brought up. I was wrong. I’m sorry.”
His arms wrap tighter around me, the side of his face pressed against mine, his peppermint scent soothing me as he holds me.
“I’m not mad. I just wanted to understand. I’m sorry that they wrote that song, that they ruined the evening. If it’s any consolation, the song sounds horrible and the lyrics are cringy,” he says and I laugh.
“I can’t believe Cole punched Nick in the face, and that Jonah threw Ryan’s keyboard at him.”
“They would never hurt you,” Mack says and I turn around in the water so I’m facing him. His hands stay on my hips as I tilt my head and search his face.
“I know that.”
“Cole is probably worried about what you think about him losing his shit.”
I rest my head on my knees, the bottom of my hair wet as I take in everything that I’m feeling. “I’ve never had anyone besides my Gran stand up for me before. It feels foreign, like I don’t deserve it.”
Mack tilts my chin up, so I have to meet his eyes.
“To be honest, I wish I got a hit in, too. You’re worth defending. You’re special to us. We won’t let anyone talk to you the way they did ever again. You’re with us now and that’s all that matters. They deserve to be exposed for who they really are, how they treated you. I just wish you hadn’t gotten hurt in the process. You deserve the world, Shiloh. Let us give it to you.”
My eyes well up with tears as I shift my body, straddling his. He holds me tight, his fingers lightly petting up and down my spine.
It hits me square in the chest at that moment. I need to bond with these Alphas. As messed up as everything is tonight, I don’t like not knowing what’s going on with Jonah and Cole. But most of all? I’ve fallen for each of them, and I really don’t care that it’s been insanely fast or what people think.
There’s still this pit in my stomach over the song, and the consequences Cole, Jonah, and his family will have to face. But despite the way I thought I was going to break down at the event earlier tonight, I’m still standing.
I’m safely in Mack’s arms, with the promise of the rest of my pack coming home hopefully soon. They openly, in front of the New York elite, defended my honor, not caring about the repercussions. Even Jonah’s family, who just met me tonight, stood up for me.
