A Mate's Revenge(32)

“Enough,” Cael snapped, turning on his heel. “Come inside.”

“That’s what she said,” Avan deadpanned.

When everybody’s dirty and flirty parts were covered, they sat in front of the fire to get warm. Even human and naked, their animals kept them alive, but it was a bitch to be that cold for that long.

“Someone needs to find an area with cell coverage and call Lexar for a pickup.” Cael passed Vesh the bottle of wine he’d found in the kitchen. Her brother drank straight from the bottle with no shame, and she found herself grinning as she watched him.

She recalled him doing the very same thing as a child, but from the milk jug. And only when mother wasn’t home.

“I’ll go,” Avan offered. “Give me your cell though, because I don’t have mine.”

Yeah, traveling as a wolf was tough sometimes. They hadn’t yet figured out how to carry electronics and clothes with them.

Cael grabbed his phone from the kitchen table. “Not much battery, but it should be enough for a call out. Lexar is speed dial one.”

Avan took it, glancing pointedly at Besh. “Guess that’ll be changing soon though, won’t it?”

Cael crossed his arms. “Yes. It will.” His tone was a challenge, daring her to make a scene. Besh didn’t want a showdown, but sometimes wolves pushed, and she wouldn’t let Avan claim him. Maybe it made her a horrible person, but they’d gone through so much to be together. She wouldn’t let go now.

Avan nodded, looking… relieved. “Good. I’ll be back soon.”

As the door clicked shut, Vesh let out a weary sigh. “That female scares me.” He turned to Besh, and his eyes became haunted. “It’s hard for me to accept that this is over, that you’re actually safe.”

Cael sat beside her on the couch, pulling her into his lap. His hand landed softly on her abdomen, and her wolf gave a satisfied chuff.

Vesh zeroed in on the action. “I sense you’re with young.”

“I am,” she said, proudly.

His eyes moved to Cael. “You’ve marked her already. Do you intend to mate her?”

Besh shook her head. “We haven’t talked about that yet. This is all so quick—”

“As soon as possible,” Cael interrupted. “And you’re in enough trouble already, so maybe questioning my honor isn’t a good idea right now.”

“Sorry, Alpha, but I don’t really give a fuck. I need to make sure she’s treated right, from here on out.”

Besh bit her lip. It was sweet, but…

“She’s mine.” Cael’s voice was deadly quiet. She should say something but to get in between two alpha males while they were working through a problem was never smart. “I’ll see to her wellbeing.”

“Sorry,” Vesh sneered. “But the last time a man told me that, he was treating her like shit and forcing her to—”

“Stop!” She couldn’t bear to hear it from his mouth. “Cael, tell him. What you taught me, and what happened to Jax.”

When he’d relayed the story in detail, Vesh stayed quiet, absorbing the information.

“You want this?” Vesh asked her. “To be first mate again.”

No. Not the title. But… “I want Cael. I know he has my best interests at heart, as well as the pack’s.” Her voice got quiet. “I love him.” She had to trust that he was a different alpha. One that cared.

He dropped a kiss on her shoulder.

Vesh sighed, running his hands through his hair.

“Not that it’s any of your fucking business,” Cael growled before his voice softened. “But I love her too.”

Vesh glared. “Everything about her is my business.”

“Ughhh. Will you two always be like this?”

“Yes,” they said in unison.

Besh sighed. She supposed that was what happened when a strong male like Vesh submitted to an alpha. She wondered what trouble he would’ve caused with Jax if he hadn’t feared the repercussions. It occurred to her that this is exactly why Avan and Cael would never have worked. A dominant wolf in a relationship with another dominant… it was the recipe for a disaster.

***

Avan returned hours later. The door burst open unexpectedly. “Hey honey, I’m home. And I brought Captain Funpants to save the day.”

A man Besh didn’t recognize followed her in. He had dark smooth skin, and kind brown eyes.

“You have no idea how fun my pants are,” he replied easily.

Avan’s eyes slid down the front of his body. “Well now, that is true.”

Cael stood, greeting the man by locking fists and slapping his back. “Thanks for coming. How are things at home?”