I thought it was a response to coming back from the brink of death, never pushing myself that far before. But what if it was my magic reacting like it did to Ian, only I was running on fumes and it couldn’t do much.
He breaks the staring contest first and I know I have my answer, though it hits like a punch to my gut. Still, I’m a glutton for punishment, and feeling like hell isn’t doing much for my temperament.
“Is that true?” I demand, even though it has to at least be what he’s claiming. Ian might be melodramatic, but that’s way too specific to just toss out there as a joke.
Jaw tight, he gestures to me, standing here in just a pair of underwear and an oversized shirt, hair a tangled mess. “Look at you. You’re ready to fall over standing up and he just left you to fend for yourself. I was here forseven goddamn hoursand he never once checked on you. No one did. Whoever shot you could have come back to finish the job a hundred times over, or I could have dragged you several towns away before he was any the wiser. He’s not what you need.”
The heat in my cheeks has nothing to do with being sick. “With me being down for the count, one of us had to have some money coming in. We don’t live in a perfect world where we can take time off whenever we want without a damn good reason and still hope to keep our jobs. I’m a grown ass adult, Rheyas; I don’t need a babysitter. I’ve kept myself alive just fine up until now.”
Ares grabs his shoulder, pulling him back a step when he advances with a growl, eyes blazing brighter like his instincts are riding him hard. He must know it too to allow it, because he doesn’t bat his hand away this time.
“You got yourself shot. If I hadn’t dragged you from that river, you’d be dead.” His words are harsh, but all they manage to do is fuel my anger.
“I was having an off day. And you still didn’t answer the question.”
His nostrils flare, chest rumbling, and Osiris takes a step closer, body tensing like he’s about to pounce. “If you didn’t even realize it until now, it’s not like you were missing anything.”
Pulling free of Ian’s hold, I stalk forward, but Osiris puts an arm out to block me. “Take a breath, Rel. He’s barely holding it together.” He doesn’t grab me, knowing that would trigger the man’s instincts, just gives me a pleading look to not do anything stupid.
“Yet youdidknow, and decided after a week that you weren’t either.”
I absolutely refuse to let the angry tears burning in the back of my eyes to show. I’m not sad, and I’m sure as shit not about to beg him to care. I’mpissed,and hurt that he didn’t even consider the idea of getting to know me worth exploring. His insistence to not ask my name takes on a new meaning, meaning he came to his decision that first fucking day.
He took one look at me and decided I didn’t measure up to whatever he was hoping for in a mate before he spoke a single word to me.
Rheyas attempts to stalk closer, but Ares yanks him back with a snarl. He turns, cold cocking him in the face without an ounce of remorse. Osiris lands a few good hits before Rheyas manages to grip him around the throat, applying pressure until the man passes out. He falls beside his brother as Ian grips my upper arm, erecting a shield around us both.
“Rel,” Ian starts, and I know without him finishing the statement what his plan is, yet I’ll have no part of it.
I’m not about to leave him behind and make a break for it. Not in worse conditions, and certainly not for this. If Rheyas doesn’t even want me, he’s not a threat. He's pissed off that people are getting between him and a long overdue fight between us.
I put a hand on Ian’s back. “He’s not going to hurt me. Check on the others though? Ares is bleeding pretty badly.”
He clearly thinks I’ve lost my ever-loving mind, but to be fair… I’m still hurt at how he acted too. At least with Ian we were able to put things in an alright place, to table the discussion for a few days from now when I’m not sick. But he still has plenty of reservations about accepting the mating bond, has driven a wedge between us with his insecurities. And while he may be actively trying to undo the damage, it’s still done.
It’s not actually about me, it’s their hang ups where a mate is concerned and what that entails, not anything actually personal. They aren’t looking at me like a person, just theconceptof what they think a mate is and means.
So I simply refuse to let their issues make me doubt myself. I’m a fucking delight, and if they can’t see it, that’s their loss. I’d like a mate, sure. Hell, give me three; more orgasms and attention for me. But I’m not about to torture myself trying to figure out why I’m not good enough for people that I barely know.
They can kindly go suck each other’s dicks.
“There isn’t enough food out there this time of year,” Rheyas eventually growls.
Ian gives him a wide berth before circling behind him to check on the others. He quickly deems them both fine, the two of them already groaning and getting to their feet by the time he’s poked at Ares’ wounds, clearly not knowing what the heck he’s doing.
“Okay?”
He grinds his teeth. “And you didn’t have so much as a damn coat. You’re fragile.”
“Apparently, so is your ego. You decide you don’t want to be burdened by me, but can’t stand to see someone else in my bed?”
Yes, I know I’m pushing now, looking for whatever jab might drive my point home. But my head hurts, my body aches, and I’m growing too tired to keep dealing with this alpha male bullshit.
He rakes a hand through his shaggy, white hair, huffing like I’m testing his patience. “You need someone that can take care of you. Every time I see you, you’re on your death bed. You aren’t built to survive the depths of the wilds, need more than I can give. I might be able to keep you safe, but I can’t provide the kind of life you need, that you deserve.” He aims a glare at Ian. “And while this one might keep you fed and a roof over your head, he leaves much to be desired in every other aspect.”
He turns back to me, and this time, his volatile gaze softens just slightly. “You deserve someone that can make you happy, and from what I’ve witnessed this past week, it isn’t him. And it isn’t me. So pack your things and we’ll go to another town to try again, and if not there, another. This time, I’ll find someone worthy of you before I leave.”
And just like that, the flames of my anger are snuffed out. He’s looking at things so differently than I am, and there’s a hell of a communication barrier. He speaks alpha-caveman, while I’m more fluent in realistic optimism.
