The beast told me to claim her. If I bit her now and showed all the world that she was mine, then everything would turn out all right. Though I didn’t understand my beast’s logic there, I couldn’t fight the desire making my heart race.
Ness grasped my face between her hands. “You’re a damn fool.”
I chuckled. She felt too good in my arms. Her warmth permeated my body and made me want to wrap more of myself around her. I lowered my head, her hands fell away, and I buried my face in the crook of her neck. She sighed, but the sound was not as sweet as I expected.
Ness stepped out of my embrace. She wrapped her arms around herself, seeming small. When she shook her head, my heart stuttered.
“I can’t leave my pack alone. Not right now.”
My beast snarled, but not at Ness’s statement. The beast growled at me.
Stay. Defend your territory. Defend your mate.
Or will you prove that you’re nothing more than a spineless lizard and run again?
I blinked, stunned. My dragon had shared a few choice words with me that I had not expected. The words fried my brain. I couldn’t move.
You’re better than this. Act like the Alpha you are.
But staying…that would put too many in harm’s way. I couldn’t let my brother ruin everything I was working to build here. There was still so much work ahead of me. If Morgan set me back, then I didn’t know how I would pick up the pieces.
Ness’s friends gathered against the side of the converted warehouse. They watched me with mixed expressions, some angry, some tired. Each and every one of them looked ready to fight.
Not me, butforme.
The strange mix of supernaturals weren’t shifters, but they were pack, nonetheless. They put their power behind me. They promised to help keep their home safe.
I pressed my palms to my face. Ness laughed.
“Do you see now? I keep telling you. We are all stronger together.” She touched my forearm. Her voice dropped to a soft plea. “I’m stronger with you.”
I didn’t believe her. Ness had a kind of strength that was all her own.