Archaic (Reverse Harem 2)
“Good. Theo can stay behind this time,” Sebastian says.
“Why would I need to do that?” I ask.
“Because Egypt?
?s hot. You’ll make us all miserable.”
“Clarissa needs me. I’m coming along with you guys.”
“She doesn’t need you. Though she sure as hell reeks like you do.”
“Excuse me?” Clarissa asks. “Did you just say I stink?”
“Of Theo, yes. What really happened in Norway? Did you guys actually find a Cat? Or did you find yourselves in a hotel room after you got too hot?”
“First of all, Norway is blanketed in snow right now,” I say.
“And secondly, what happens between Clarissa and me is none of your concern.”
“None of my concern?” he says with a growl. “I’ve got a bond and a promise that say otherwise.”
“What bond? You’re doing what we’re all doing right now,” I say.
“Protecting Clarissa and figuring out how in the world this group of warriors is connected to Kyle’s death.”
“She reeks of Bear. After I licked her wounds closed and fought against every animal instinct within me to make sure she had what she wanted. A choice. Did you give her that choice?”
“She always has a choice,” I say. “I would never take advantage of Clarissa in that fashion.”
“Really? Because it smells like you fucked her during the most vulnerable moment of her life!”
Sebastian lunges at me, and I dodge his angry grasp. I charge out the door as he pounces on my back, his nails digging in. I roll onto him, getting a grip on his hair before rolling forward. I toss him from my back and stand. I can feel the bear rising up
within me. I poise myself between the barn and Sebastian, ready to strike him down should he make a fatal move toward anyone.
But something bounds over my head and drops in between the two of us.
Standing there, her chest panting and her fangs bared, is Clarissa. There’s hair on her hands and claws protruding from her fingernails. Anger is seeping from her. Searing the hairs up my nose as I breathe in. Her head whips over to me, the fire in her eyes unmistakable.
Then she pans her gaze over to Sebastian and turns her back to me.
“Back off,” Clarissa says.
“He took advantage of you. I won’t stand for it,” Sebastian says.
“It was a mutual decision between us,” she says.
“You just lost Kyle,” Sebastian says.
“And it was a moment of weakness I allowed myself to cave to.”
I take great pains to erase the hurt trying to rise upon my face.
That was the agreement. That our mating went no further than the blanket underneath the stars. But something inside of me was hoping I could change her mind.
I still hold onto hope that I can change her mind.
I watch as Clarissa settles down, her body changing back into its human form. It’s beautiful to watch. Astounding to behold. Every day, I find something new about her. Something new about this life she is discovering on this journey. Why can’t Sebastian enjoy that journey? Why does he always have to posture and start a fight? Clarissa hates it. I can smell the anger on her every time he does it. And yet, for some reason, he thinks that’s what he needs to do to win her affections.