However calm she appeared, she was a wreck. Her nerves were in overdrive, absorbing, filtering, processing more information than she knew what to do with. Questioning what was and wasn’t real at this point was stupid. There was no denying this was happening. She could sense them, Finn’s pack, inside the house. Mal was bracing for a fight. But whether the fight was with Finn or inside himself, she wasn’t sure.
What she was sure of—she wanted to throw up. Throw up and pass out. Or run. Running would be good. She was hot, but cold. Starving, but nauseated. Everything was mixed-up—twisted and out-of-sorts. Her heart was on the verge of pounding its way from her chest. Her lungs ached for air. And her mind was spinning with distant voices, images, thoughts, and sounds that weren’t hers. She was being invaded by something she couldn’t see.
She fought the urge to slide an arm around Mal’s waist, pressing a hand against his lower back instead. She knew his touch calmed her; maybe she had the same effect on him.
Beneath her hand, Mal’s muscles clenched. She barely had time to register what was happening. One second he was there, the next he was gone. Then Mal, out of control and dangerous, was slamming his fist into another man’s face.
Finn. She knew it was him, recognized him and what he was to her. Her Alpha. The link was instantaneous—new but unwavering.
The growl that ripped from Mal clutched at her heart. It wasn’t just anger. It was heartbreak.
Finn stood, stunned, but made no effort to protect himself.
Mal didn’t hesitate. His fist sank into Finn’s side, a resounding snap and Finn’s muttered oof echoing in the open air. A punch in the abdomen knocked Finn back several feet. Mal crushed Finn’s nose, blood spurting all over the man’s face and shirt.
She’d been furious with Finn on Mal’s behalf. But this, this wasn’t right. Mal would hate himself if he didn’t stop.
But there was no one to stop him. Except her.
Mal kept pummeling him over and over until Olivia worried he might beat him to death. When Finn fell flat, Olivia moved. She ran across the yard, putting herself between them. “Mal.” She placed a hand on his chest, searching his crazed brown eyes for some sign of her man. She hurt for him, ached for the wounds deep inside that hadn’t healed. “Mal, please.” She stepped forward, wrapping her arms around his waist and pressing her face against his chest.
He was panting hard. Thundering heart. Barely controlled. She closed her eyes, her hands stroking over his back again and again. If she concentrated on slowing her heart, on calming the agitation and fear in her mind, Mal might do the same.
Slowly, his arms drooped at his sides and his posture eased. Olivia let go of him, stepping back as he crumpled to his knees in the dirt.
Was Finn okay? She turned, staring at the bloodied face of the man Mal had been hell-bent on beating. Their Alpha. Her Alpha.
“You we
re going to let me keep going?” Mal’s words were hard and desperate.
Finn sat up slowly, spitting dirt and blood from his mouth. He nodded. “I deserved that. And more.” The anguish in Finn’s words stole some of the anger she knew Mal clung to. “Nothing I say—” Finn cut off. He shook his head.
The struggle in Finn’s words cut deep. His regret and self-loathing was tangible, the guilt for what his choice had cost Mal. In Finn’s pale eyes, Olivia glimpsed bone-crushing grief for what Mal experienced. Mal did, too. The broken look on Mal’s face was too much. She reached out, resting her hand on his shoulder while resisting the urge to wrap herself around him.
“I’m glad you’re home, Mal.” Finn’s voice was hoarse.
Mal grunted.
“You must be the new pack member?” Finn’s pale gaze met hers as he wiped blood from his nose and upper lip.
She nodded, stepping back as Mal pushed himself to his feet.
“Olivia Chase,” Mal answered for her, tucking her behind him. He offered Finn a hand and tugged him to his feet.
Finn glanced between them. “Welcome.”
She nodded. “Thank you.”
Finn smiled, gesturing to the house. “You can relax here. Whatever you need.”
“I could use a shower.” Mal sighed, swiping the dirt from his knees. “You should eat, rest up for tonight,” he told her.
“Tonight is your first shift?” Finn asked, leading them to the front door.
She nodded again. “Should I be excited or terrified?”
Finn’s crooked grin was charming. “Maybe a little of both?” He pushed open the front door.