Chapter 5

Theron

“You don’t like me much, do you?” Myla asked, brushing a golden curl from her face as she sat on the sofa in our drawing room.

She was beautiful, and that only pissed me off more.

She didn’t look completely comfortable in our den, which irked my wolf but gave me fierce satisfaction. We had taken her to our home the night she woke up. The others hoped to give her a sense of safety before the metaphorical mating countdown hit zero and our instincts took over.

I just wanted answers.

Fighting back a sigh, I asked, “How could I dislike someone I don’t know?”

Her large brown eyes widened like a doe’s. She was the picture of demure innocence, but I hadn’t decided if it was an act yet. “Well, that’s true.”

Myla was doing a good job of appearing naive—I’d give her that—but there were still too many variables working against us.

The mating bond was the most influential.

My wolf growled, batting at my skin. My refusal to accept this tiny wolf as our mate had put us at odds. He didn’t understand why I fought so hard against the pull.

Deep down, I knew she was ours, and a primal part of me wanted her even as I remained wary. I worried she couldn’t be trusted.

Goddess, why do I have to be the one to watch her today?

At least the other Omegas would arrive soon to give me a few moments of reprieve. Her scent was torture.

The sweetest, most infuriating kind.

I made the mistake of looking into her beguiling brown eyes and immediately wavered. “We’ll get to know each other with time.” Her posture relaxed at my words, and I couldn’t resist adding, “I’ll figure out all your secrets then.”

Our eyes met, and a trace of fear marred her scent.

I knew she was hiding something.

In my opinion, the only things worse than the Council were the unsanctioned packs. Nearly feral, those shifters were a crude bastardization of what packs should be. They ruled through fear and power, abused the weak, pillaged the defenseless, and left chaos wherever they went. They were always looking for a way to take from the sanctioned packs.

Supplies, weapons, food, women—they stole whatever they could get their hands on.

I could still see my sister lying in the medical unit, broken and violated. There was no light left in her after what they did. We thought she would get better—that in time, she would learn to feel safe again—but some wounds were too deep to heal.

Anger and grief smothered my desire for the Omega. Myla had come from one of those packs, and she wouldn’t explain how or why. To me, she was dubious at best, and I needed to remember that.

Letting down our defenses could put our pack in danger.

My wolf warned me against the nagging suspicion building in my gut, but I told him it didn’t matter if she was our mate. I wouldn’t let her harm my unit, intentionally or otherwise.

It would devastate them if she betrayed us.

A knock interrupted my venomous train of thought. Maybe it was for the best.

I headed to the front door, smiling when I saw Brielle. Brielle was a mated Omega, but she was also one of my employees at the carpentry building.

“I hope we’re not too early,” she said. “Honestly, we couldn’t wait to meet her.”

“Not at all. You’re right on time.” To save my sanity.

Behind her was her younger sister, Blythe, and Isolde, Hidden Creek’s Alpha female. I stood aside to let them in. They made their way to the sitting room, and I joined them after shutting the door.

If anyone could sniff out a lie, it was those three. Myla was more likely to let down her guard with the females than anyone else.

“She’s not lying,” Blythe said playfully. “These two wouldn’t shut up about the new Omega.”

With a hand on her swollen belly, Isolde shrugged. “It’s exciting. Goddess knows I need a little excitement these days. My mates barely let me do anything for myself anymore. At first, it was sweet. But now it’s annoying. Did you know Bishop tried to brush my teeth this morning?”

“Jeez,” Blythe said sympathetically.

Myla’s eyes widened at the newcomers, and she gave them a shy wave as they introduced themselves. Brielle and Blythe both pulled her into a hug while Isolde inclined her head with a kind smile.

“What did you expect?” I asked, holding out my hand to help Isolde into a seat. “They’re shifter males, and you’re about to burst with their young. They’re allowed to be a bit overprotective.”

Isolde rolled her eyes. “Don’t defend them.”

As I adjusted the chair to give Isolde adequate room for her stomach, my skin grew warm beneath the weight of Myla’s gaze. Isolde tried to wave me off, but I ignored her. When she was seated comfortably on the loveseat, I turned to find Myla, watching the exchange with interest.

I looked away, focusing my attention on our guests. “Males have to stick together on these matters.”

Brielle snorted.

“At the very least, I expected to be able to breathe without someone offering me assistance,” Isolde joked.

“How far along are you?” Myla asked, the melodic cadence of her voice caressing my wolf.

“Four months and a few days, so just about there,” Isolde replied.

Myla’s eyes softened with concern. “Thank you for taking the time to meet with me. It must be hard for you to move around.”

“It’s a relief, honestly. I needed to give my ass a break.” Isolde laughed. “But you probably couldn’t tell with how quickly I collapsed into this chair.”

Blythe leaned toward Myla with a conspiratorial grin. “Do you know how long it took us to get her out of the house?”

Brielle snickered. “We practically had to break her out. Not that my mates were any better.” She nudged me with her elbow. “Luckily, Theron’s presence at this little gathering was enough to convince them I’d be fine for a few hours.”

“Only just,” Blythe said, looking at her sister with raised brows.

Myla watched the women with noticeable longing. Her face reflected her emotions so clearly it was like looking through glass. I found myself wondering how she could possibly hide anything from us, let alone nefarious plans.

Unless she was acting.

“Oh, before I forget.” Brielle placed a bag on the table. “We brought you some things to wear until your mates get you sorted.”

“Thank you,” Myla said. “It’ll be nice to wear something that fits.”

She’d tied Gentry’s sweatpants as tight as she could, but they still swallowed her whole.

I watched as the Omegas interacted. Myla was skittish and uncertain, listening more than she spoke and offering small smiles whenever they looked at her. She even toned down her laugh so as not to stand out.

Myla. Sweet, delicate, unassuming Myla.

She was as enchanting as a rose, but even roses had thorns.

When I told her I would uncover her secrets, the fear on her face was irrefutable. But so were the surprise and gratitude at Gentry’s and Bowen’s kindness, the awe at our den, and the confusion when we declared her our mate.

Worst of all was the honesty in her voice when she spoke of running away from her pack.

This only made her more confusing to me.

What the hell is she hiding?

“Well, I’ll leave you ladies to it. I’ll be in the shed if you need anything. Myla knows where the refreshments are,” I said, taking my leave so the Omegas could have some time alone.

Myla’s eyes met mine, and a blush stained her smooth skin. The urge to go to her, to assure her that everything would be okay, roared to life within me. I clenched my fists at my sides, commanding my body to ignore her anxiety.

My wolf thrashed within me, upset that I’d made no move to comfort our mate.

Before I could change my mind, I walked away.

***

Four hours later, I returned to the den as the Omegas said their goodbyes.

“We’ll take you around town later this week,” Brielle said, giving Myla’s shoulder a squeeze.

“Can’t wait,” Myla replied, waving to the girls as they headed down the path.

She was relaxed, and her movements were easy and confident.

“Good visit?” I inquired, trying to seem interested.

My time in the shed was good for me. Getting away from Myla gave me a chance to think clearly.

If I wanted to catch Myla in a lie, I needed her to trust me. I had to be nice.

Once she felt safe, I could determine where her loyalties lay.

Myla quickly hid her look of surprise at my question. “Um . . . yeah. The girls were really sweet.”

I nodded, and silence descended between us. I wasn’t sure what to say. Myla shifted from one foot to the other, and the air grew thick with our respective discomfort.

“Ah.” I pulled the pills Korren dropped off earlier from my pocket and set them on the counter. Then, I grabbed a glass, filled it with water, and placed it beside the medication. “These are for you. Heat suppressants.”

Myla’s eyebrows furrowed. “I thought you told me we’re mates,” she said with incomprehensible confusion.

“We are,” I replied.

“So, what . . .” She stepped forward, paused, then shook her head as if to clear it. “Is this some kind of test?”

It was a battle to remove the bite from my words. “No. Why would it be?”

She ignored my question. “You don’t want to mate with me?”

That was a loaded question. Did I? Goddess, yes. My wolf needed it. But would I? My pride wanted me to say no, but my greed knew better.

Regardless of her motivations, she was still my mate. A part of me would always want her.

I hated that fact as much as I yearned for it.

I would devour her if she’d let me.

But only if she allowed it.

“If that’s not something you want right now, then no. I like my females willing and eager.”

Her eyes flashed with fire. Maybe the nervous creature had a backbone, after all.

The sight of it . . . excited me.

“What if I never want it?” she asked, lifting her chin defiantly.

“You will.” I crossed the distance between us in three long strides. “It’s chemical. Undeniable. Your body will crave the feeling of being stretched,” I stared into her eyes as a gasp fell from her lips, “filled and used. Ravaged from the inside out until you’re writhing in pleasure.”

I brushed her plump bottom lip with my thumb, and my wolf hummed.

Her eyes dilated, but she didn’t shy away from my touch. The perfume of her heat filled the kitchen with its sweet, spicy scent.

Blood rushed to my cock.

I leaned in. It would be easy to take her mouth—to feel her go pliant in my arms.

Her warm breath ghosted over my lips, and I bit back a groan.

“Take your pills,” I said thickly, grabbing her wrist and shoving the bottle into her hand.

I took several steps back, ignoring the look of surprise on her face. It dimmed the spark of lust between us.

Fuck, I shouldn’t be alone with her.

Using the kitchen island as a barrier, I removed bowls and a cutting board from the cabinets and vegetables from the fridge.

I should’ve spent some time showing Myla around the den. We had arrived late last night, and all she saw was our room—which we left her alone in to make her feel safe—and the sitting room. She hadn’t even set foot in the kitchen until this morning.

I couldn’t give her a tour, though. Not right now.

Being alone with her messed with my head, and I needed a clear mind so I could form a hormone-free opinion of our mate.

After taking the heat suppressants, she timidly walked to my side of the island. “I can help with that.”

“It’s all right. I’ve got it,” I said, my voice harsher than intended.

I risked a glance at Myla. Her eyes flashed with dejection before a look of pure rage twisted her features.

I slapped some carrots on the cutting board and started chopping.

“You’re ridiculous,” she snapped. “One minute, you’re hot, then you’re cold. You want me, then you can’t stand to be near me. Why am I even here if you’ve already made up your mind about me?”

She has a point , my wolf huffed.

Shut up.

“You’re our mate,” I stated, refusing to give her an explanation.

I moved on to the onions and peppers, more thankful than ever to have something to do with my hands.

“If you don’t want me here, take me back to the medical building,” Myla said. “I’m sure I’ll find so—”

My wolf growled at the suggestion.

“No,” I interrupted.

She took a step back, shocked by my abrupt response. “No? What do you mean no ?”

“You heard me.” I placed pots and pans on the burners. “You will stay in our den with us. As it should be.”

“So you’re going to lock me up.” She crossed her arms over her chest.

Myla made a good show of appearing calm, but I saw it for what it was: a show.

Her breathing accelerated, and her posture tightened. She was scared.

Truly terrified.

Was that what they did to her in her unsanctioned pack? Did they force her cooperation by locking her away?

A new fury roared through me—not at her, but for her.

I spoke slowly, caging my temper. “We would never lock you up anywhere. You’re free to go wherever you want on pack land, but you will sleep here, in our bed. Safe.”

The tension drained from her body, and I turned to the stove.

“Am I just supposed to forget you don’t like me?”

“You’re supposed to take this day by day.” I let out a haggard sigh, debating my next words as I sauteed vegetables and stirred chicken in an adjacent pan. “Look, Myla. I know I can be a bit . . . tense—”

“Not the word I would use, but sure,” she muttered.

I almost smiled at the return of her sass. “Okay, I deserve that. I’m sorry. I’ll try to lighten up, okay?” I spun on my heel and faced her. “We want you here. I want you here.”

The moment I said the words, I knew they were true.

Her face softened, and a layer of my defenses crumbled.