But he was already halfway out the door. “I’m sorry, but I need to go deal with some important matters. You can all stay here. I should be back by morning.”
My temper flared. I shot out of bed, stormed up to Eric and growled, “Why? Why do you have to leave? You have guards to take care of things like this!”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Crystal’s sympathetic expression, almost like she agreed with me.
But Eric obviously didn’t. He spoke in a low, authoritative tone. “Matheson, I’ve told you several times that my pack’s problems don’t concern you. Why do you insist on sticking your nose in my business?”
I couldn’t believe the way he was speaking to me right now. “What? Eric, I’m yourmate! It is my business!”
His jaw went tense. His dark eyes, usually so warm, turned slightly cold. “Yes, you are my mate. But I’m still the only leader of West Pack. They need me. I’m sorry, but until you’re in my position, you’ll never understand what it’s like.”
My mouth fell open and I stared at him in shock. I felt like somebody had plunged me into cold water. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me.” Eric turned around, speaking over his shoulder. “You stay here with Colton and Ramsay. I’m leaving now.”
Crystal glanced back and forth between us, looking nervous but ultimately following behind her pack leader. I stood frozen in the hall and watched him go in complete disbelief.
“Fine!” I called when he reached the stairs. “Go!”
Without waiting for his reply, I stormed back into the bedroom. Colton was awake now, blinking in confusion.
“What was all that noise?” he asked.
Ramsay frowned deeply when he saw the shadow of fury on my face. “Mathe, what happened?”
“Nothing,” I muttered while crawling into bed.
“Uh, well, that’s clearly not true,” Ramsay said. “Seriously, you look upset. What’s going on?”
I gritted my teeth, not looking at either of them. I stared down at the white sheets, but that only made me remember that Eric had been the one to change them recently.
“Eric,” I finally ground out.
“Where did he go?” Ramsay asked.
“He left!” I cried. “To go deal with his pack, or whatever!”
“Er, he’s coming back though, right?”
My racing blood slowly evened out, but my mind was still frazzled by Eric’s words. I slumped back against the headboard. “He said he’d be back in the morning.”
Colton tilted his head. “So what’s the problem?”
“He was being so condescending,” I muttered. “Talking down to me, saying I don’t understand his position. He was treating me like a child.”
Colton and Ramsay exchanged glances.
“Look, we all know Eric can kind of be a dick sometimes,” Ramsay said gently. “But you know he loves you, Mathe. Right?”
I shut my eyes. Right now, stewing in the hotness of my own anger, I didn’t feel like he did. But I knew I wasn’t being rational. One argument wouldn’t break our relationship.
“Yeah,” I mumbled. “But that doesn’t make me any less annoyed.”
“I know.” Ramsay leaned back with me and started petting my hair. Despite my irritation, his touch felt nice. “Look, we’re all really tired. It’s been a long ass night. Let’s get some sleep and cool off.”
I exhaled slowly. “Fine.”
Colton’s hand slipped over mine. “Hey, little fish.”
