A dangerously low growl starts deep inside Cross.
“Good. Get mad. I'm fucking mad. You need to help fix this. I know he broke it, but it doesn't matter.”
Cross's eyes are overtaken all at once, all the color replaced with the dark glow of his wolf's for a few seconds and he gives me a slow nod before he closes them again. I wait almost a full minute while he drags Cross's head out of his ass. When those eyes open back up, they're all Cross and they're burning with purpose.
“About fucking time,” I say. “Are you ready to be the alpha you need to be?”
“Yes.”
I nod. “Are you my alpha?”
“Yes.”
I nod again. “Are you her alpha?”
The corner of his mouth lifts into a smile I haven't seen for years. “I'm going to be.”
There are still several hours until sunrise and the campus of Recovery is quiet as we make our way to the suite. We don't speak until we're standing in front of the door.
“Are you ready to face her wolf?” I ask him.
He gives me a firm nod. “I hope so.”
I put my hand on his shoulder, squeezing it. “I'm going to stay on the couch. Pretend I'm not there. I meant what I said. Do what you need to do.”
“I can't pretend you aren't there, Parker. You're part of me.”
I squeeze again, pushing my warmth and strength into him. “I am. But she's your mate. Show her that. I will be wherever you are, wherever you need me to be. I'm yours. Nothing will change that.”
“Do you think she will accept you?” he whispers, not wanting to voice the fear I can sense.
“She has to,” I say, ignoring my churning gut. “She's going to be my Luna as much as she'll be yours. I'm a good wolf. She'll sense it.”
“We're still us,” he says softly.
“We'll always be us.”
Cross puts in the code and opens the door and we are greeted with glowing angry eyes.
“Easy,” Cross says gently, raising his palms. “Easy. It's me.”
She growls, shifting her attention to me.
“You know Parker. It's okay.”
It is very clearlynotokay. Her hackles raise as her head lowers.
“I'm just going –“
The hair on the back of my neck stands up at the growl she releases. She takes one step closer to me and Cross moves between us.
“Don't,” he tells her, keeping his tone soft. “It's okay. He's going to stay out here. He's here with me. That's all. He isn't a threat. It's okay. I promise.”
She snorts and glares at him.
“Sit down, Parker,” Cross says. “It's alright.”
I want to laugh, but I don't think Genie's wolf would appreciate it. Instead, I back up and side step until my calves touch the back of the couch and I sit down, trying to appear as nonthreatening as possible.
