32. Mai

Ithought about what Ryan said. He was an arrogant, possessive asshole, but he was right; if Seth was making his way here, he was a threat to the Pack. How did Seth know where I was? I'd never told him about my past. Just said I was from the east, hadn't been close to my family or Pack, and had bounced around the human and Shifter conclave cities for the last few years. He'd never pried too deeply.

Seth didn't like to talk about his history either, so it had been a silent agreement that we left our pasts out of our relationship. Seth was a mid-level enforcer trying to prove himself, with his dad, Korrin, grooming him to take over the Beta spot. Seth had grown up in the shadow of Korrin's legacy, always measured by the towering expectations that came with his father's reputation. But I knew Seth was having trouble living up to it, and it would come out in his increasingly volatile temper.

I had left him. What would my leaving have done to his reputation as he saw it? Did Seth think it showed up a weakness on his part, that he wasn't strong enough to keep a partner? More importantly, was that what Korrin would think? If Seth wanted to prove himself to his dad, to the other enforcers, in his warped mind, would that mean he had to get me back?

I knew I had to share this with Ryan and the Shaw brothers. Seth coming here wasn't just a threat to me; it posed a danger to the entire Pack. I felt a knot in my stomach. How could I willingly expose my underbelly, revealing scars I'd hoped would fade into oblivion?

"He doesn't know much about the Three Rivers Pack," I whispered.

Ryan kept still, perhaps realizing how much this was costing me and not wanting to spook me.

"I never talked about my past."

"Does he know you're Jem's sister?"

I shrugged. "I didn't tell him. But if he knows I'm here, I'm sure he has done some research into the Pack. He has contacts. I don't know what he might have found out by now."

"And the Cocrane Pack?" he asked, curiosity pricking his tone. "How much do you know about them?"

I shook my head, a bitter chuckle escaping my lips. "Not enough, never enough."

The room seemed to grow smaller with the truth I was pouring out, bit by bit. "Seth's father, Korrin…" I began, my voice faltering at the mention of his name, "… he's the Pack Beta. He has always had high expectations for Seth. He's supposed to follow in his dad's footsteps."

The worry in Ryan's eyes deepened. "So, Seth has been groomed for violence since he was a pup?"

His words punctured the silence, hung in the air between us like an omen. I nodded, my eyes downcast, locked onto the patterns of the wooden floor.

"It's not just violence," I murmured. "Seth seeks acceptance and an acknowledgment of his power and dominance."

"I won't let him hurt you, Mai."

I could smell the waves of anger pouring off him.

"No matter what."

I shook my head and forced myself to look Ryan in the eye. "I won't let him hurt me, Ryan. And I won't let him hurt this Pack. No matter what."

Of course, that was easier said than done. If Seth was coming, there was nothing I could do to stop him. I would have to deal with him if or when it happened. Until then, I had Brock to contend with.

"Move in with me, Mai."

Not this again.

Ryan held up his hands, gesturing for me to give him a moment to explain.

"Just until the situation with Seth has been resolved. If Seth does make it here, we can draw him there. There are Pack members in and out of Jem and Hayley's every day. Any one of them could get hurt if Seth showed up. At ours, we can contain the fallout. It's just me, you, and my brothers. We know what's coming and can prepare. After that, if you want out, I'll help you move."

I raised one eyebrow. I knew him better than that.

"Okay," he smiled at me. "I'll try my fucking hardest to persuade you to stay, but it's not a prison, Mai. You can leave if you really want to."

Damn it. I hated it when he was right. I couldn't put other Pack members at risk just because I was annoyed at his bossy, arrogant ass.

"Fine. I'll move in. But only until this thing with Seth is resolved."

Ryan's smile turned into a grin. "I'm so glad you said that. I moved your things across this morning."

I glared at Ryan and wondered just how angry I needed to be before my head exploded.