Olivia covered her mouth, yawning wide.
Jessa covered Finn’s hand with hers. “She needs sleep, Finn. They both do.”
“I have questions, too.” Mal’s voice was edged with tension.
Finn nodded again, his pale eyes locking with Mal’s. “Whatever you want to know, Mal. I’m not keeping anything from you—I hope you’ll do the same.” He stood. “I’m glad you’re back.”
She waited for Mal to say something. If there was ever a time to share there was a traitor in their midst, now was it. But he didn’t say a word. He stood, accepting Finn’s awkward hug, then pulled her chair back.
“Your room is ready,” Jessa said. “Get some rest.”
“Thank you so much,” Olivia said. “For everything.”
“You’re part of the pack, Olivia,” Finn said. “I take care of my pack. Everything’s going to be okay.”
Olivia nodded, and the connection tethering her to this man strengthened. She didn’t like it or understand it or want it, but she had no choice. Finn was her Alpha, and this was her pack. She didn’t know how to come to terms with that. Or what, exactly, any of this meant. A part of her wanted to scream or run or argue her way out of this place and back into her reality. But she knew that wasn’t going to happen. Now she had to fi
gure out how to be okay in this life, with or without Mal at her side.
Chapter Thirteen
Mal paced the bedroom he was sharing with Olivia. Finn had to know they weren’t mates. Was he trying to test Mal’s control? Or had his sense of humor become seriously twisted since Mal left? Whatever the reason, he was pissed.
And so fucking relieved.
If she’d been in another room, it would be impossible to keep an eye on her or protect her. It had nothing to do with what he wanted or needed.
Bullshit.
His wolf was having a fucking field day with this. He was winning, wearing down Mal’s resistance. Why not make her his? No one would touch her then, or challenge his claim to her.
Anders and Dante—hell, even Hollis—were his friends. They wouldn’t pursue her. If she was his.
“All yours,” Olivia said, emerging from the bathroom on a cloud of steam, wearing a long flannel gown. “So, Finn, he’s mega-rich rich? Not that the bedroom on the airplane didn’t sort of tip me off.”
Mal laughed. “Head of Dean Automotive, lots of investments, lots of money. So, yeah, obscenely rich.”
She grinned. “I got that. The bathroom seemed a little over the top for a wolf refuge in the middle of nowhere. Not that I’m complaining about the heated floors or the waterfall shower. Not in the least.” She paused, rubbing her towel over her hair. “Where are we?”
“Montana.”
“Makes sense. Wolves. Not overly populated.”
“Finn bought this place after he was infected. The dig site where it happened isn’t far from here.” Mal sat on the bench at the foot of the bed. “Figured keeping it protected might prevent anyone else from getting hurt.”
She sat beside him, the towel in her hands. “He’s a good guy? Finn, I mean?”
Mal nodded.
“What Ellen said about tonight…” She stared at her hands. “Am I going to be dangerous?”
“Yes. We all are. We’re wolves. Every time you shift, you’ll have the urge to rain a shit-storm of pain on whoever stands in your way. You’ll learn to control it.”
“No training manual?” she asked, her attempt to tease strained.
He cradled her hand in his. “Tonight will be the worst. You’ll be disoriented, confused.”
“That’s what happened with Finn?” she asked.