Chapter 43

“Over my dead body, you go anywhere with that mongrel! I forbid it. She shouldn’t even be here!” She can’t conceal her hatred and jealousy, barking an order that even I know she has no right to make to an Alpha, even if he is her mate now. I sink inside my wrap of an itchy blanket and try not to make eye contact in the hope she runs out of steam. Submissive, nervous, beyond exhausted, both mentally and physically, and too tired for this. Doing anything with Colton is not high on my list of priorities when I just had the worst night of my life. I have more significant problems than teen drama and broken hearts. “It’s called trust. She’s here for protection, and I’m showing her to a room so she can pull herself together ... nothing else. Don’t assume you can tell me what to do, Carmen. That’s not how this works.” There’s an edge to his tone, but as yet, his dominant vibe is playing cool and humoring her a little. He’s aware he could shut her down with that one tone, but he’s not trying t