“As much as I admire your spunk, I think you shouldn’t go up against Liam. You don’t want to be Alpha, Ness. EvenIwouldn’t want to lead thepack.”
I tried to steady my breathing, but my larynx felt snarled. “Whynot?”
“Why notwhat?”
“Why don’t you want to lead thepack?”
“Because dealing with overblown egos and temperaments takes a toll on you. Even though Heath was…well,not the finest specimen…he gave a lot to thepack.”
“He might’ve given a lot to the pack, but he took a lot from people who weren’t part of thepack.”
August’s full mouththinned.
“Everest’s girlfriend tried to take her own life from shame,” Icontinued.
“He’s gone now.” August’s voice was low. “He paid for what hedid.”
“Hemight be gone, but Liam Kolaneisn’t.”
August touched my bare shoulder. “Liam isn’t Heath.” When I didn’t shrug his hand off, he closed his fingers over my rotator cuff and squeezed gently. “Let him havethis.”
A new aroma ribboned over August’s sawdust and Old Spice scent—flowery, watery. In the open doorway, I spied a pale face set with glitteryeyes.
“Your girlfriend’s here,” Imuttered.
He didn’t release me. “If you want a place in the pack, I’ll make sure you get it, but don’t dothis.”
The beat-heavy Drake song faded. Just before a new song came on, Sienna spoke August’s name. He didn’t acknowledgeher.
“You will lose,” hesaid.
Like claws, his words scraped against my self-esteem. I straightened my spine and squared my shoulders. “Did Liam put you up tothis?”
“No.”
I backed away fromhim.
A shadow muddied the green in his eyes. “Ness—”
“I’m a big girl, August. I’ll make up my own mind.” I walked toward the hamper and chucked the towel inside. “Thanks for your concern,though.”
“You’re going to go through with it, aren’tyou?”
“I like proving peoplewrong.”
“This isn’t agame.”
“I’m aware of that.” I drew the doorwide.
Sienna scrambled out of my way and flattened her back against the mirrored wall. At least I inspired fear in someone. Not the right someone,though.
“Sorry to have kept your date away,” Imuttered.
Not that it was my fault. I hadn’t asked August to come and tell me how foolish Iwas.
From anyone else, I wouldn’t have cared. But August…August’s opinionmattered.
I hated that itmattered.
