Licking her dry lips, she went back to the stove and saw a small skin had formed over her hot chocolate. She used a spoon to scoop it out, and once it was clear, she heated the milk until it was piping hot.
After pouring the milk into two mugs, she put the empty saucepan into the sink. Her hands shook a little. Her legs were like jelly.
She picked up both mugs and turned to see Tanner standing in the kitchen. His eyes were a shocking amber.
The wolf inside her growled. She wasn’t happy to see the man who had humiliated her so thoroughly.
“Oh, my God, seriously? You think I would ever want to be mated to a thing like you? You’re a laughingstock of the entire club. An ugly, fat waste of space. If I was to stick my dick in you, I’m pretty sure you’d mistake it for a popsicle.”
There had been a whole lot more, and she’d stood there and taken every word he said. Each strike a physical blow, but at the same time, she’d been grateful. While he’d verbally struck out at their mating, she’d internally done it.
“I didn’t make you a mug,” she said.
He cleared his throat and glanced away before his gaze turned back to her. Tanner opened his mouth and closed it. The silence was stilted, awkward.
“Bye,” she said.
“Wait,” Tanner said.
“No,” she said. “No waiting. No talking. I have nothing I want to say to you. I’m pretty sure you’ve got a lot of things you want to say to me, but I don’t want to hear them.” She smiled. “Goodnight.”
She stepped around him, having absolutely no feeling for the cold, uncaring wolf. He was a total asshole, and what was more, her wolf had moved on.
At first, her wolf didn’t seem to like the idea of them falling for Gage, but now, she was finally coming around to her way of thinking, which was how it was supposed to be.
She was at the bottom of the steps as Gage came down.
“I didn’t know where you’d like to drink your hot chocolate.”
“Let’s go to the library.”
Gage had a small library, one she’d sat in a few times since moving in with him. His selection of books was small but varied.
She stepped in front of him, aware Tanner wasn’t too far, his gaze on them. She didn’t know what his problem was. She had no time for him, nor would she ever have time for him.
Constance was just so thankful the rules in movies weren’t accurate. There was a choice in who they were mated to.
****
Two days later, Gage was aware of Connie’s … anger.
He didn’t get it as they walked home, going through the town. They would stop when he was asked a question or someone wanted his advice. The alpha always had to be available and in control. This was a rule of the pack.
Connie simmered beside him, trying to hide her anger, but he didn’t know what had caused it. Several of the pack also greeted her, and she merely gave them a tight smile. Nothing more.
He had intended to take her to the diner again, but in the few short minutes he’d been with her, he heard her anger. She wasn’t happy, and he wanted to find out what the problem was.
“How was work today?” he asked.
“Fine.”
“Good. That’s good. Everything going okay?”
“Yes.”
He tapped his fingers on the box of cookies Lana had given to him. She’d made them, and if he was honest, he wasn’t looking forward to eating them. Lana wasn’t a good baker. Her cookies were either overbaked and crunchy, or too soft and doughy. His grandfather had told him from a young age to accept all gifts and to see them as an acceptance of who he was to them all.
Still, it meant for some pretty disgusting mealtimes. The worst was the lasagna he’d been given where the pasta hadn’t been cooked properly in the middle and the meal had been compacted so tightly, heat didn’t penetrate.
At least the potlucks the pack had around the full moon were much better. He didn’t have to try everything then and most of the people were distracted by the full moon, their own hunger, and turning.
There was always a silver lining.
“I was thinking tonight we could watch a movie,” he said.
“I’m really tired. I think I will go to bed.”
He frowned as they got to his home. She held her bag high up on her shoulder. Entering his home, he was aware of his son and Tiffany present. He’d heard them. The benefit of having good hearing, the best within the pack. Again, the alpha genetics at work.
Closing the door, Connie frowned as she looked at him.
“Tanner and Tiffany are here.”
“Oh, right. Of course. I’m going to go to my room.”