Red Moon Rising(84)

“She’s sleeping. She is tired and needs her rest. You can see her later.”

Kaden’s temper flared at the dismissiveness in the Red’s tone. He scowled at James. “She is my sister, and you cannot keep her from me.”

James gave him a cool look. “I know she is your sister, but she is my mate.”

“Your mate? She is human, not Lycan – we don’t refer to each other as mates.” Kaden said disdainfully. “Besides, I don’t remember seeing a ring on my sister’s hand.”

James flushed. “I love her, and soon enough she will belong to me.”

Kaden glared at him. “Belong to you? She is not some dog that you can tame and bend to your will. She can make her own decisions.”

“Stop twisting my words human.” James growled. “Your sister and I will be married. She loves me and you know it. You will not be able to convince her to leave.”

“Don’t be so sure of that Lycan.” Kaden snapped. “It has been just my sister and I for many years. If you believe that my sister will choose you over me after only a few short months, you’re in for a surprise.”

James growled, his eyes flashing green and his hands rolling into fists. “I will not allow you to take her away from me. Do you understand? I want what’s best for Bree and I don’t – “

“What’s best for Bree?” Kaden scoffed. “You barely know her. You have no idea what’s best for her. I have been taking care of her for her entire life.”

“Aye, and a fine job you’ve done of it too. She spent what – two years as a slave for the Lycans? What did you do to protect her when they were hunting her? If it had not been for me, she would be dead right now.”

“How dare you!” Kaden shouted. “I did everything I could to keep her safe, and I won’t allow you to just take her from me!”

“You have no say in it!” James shouted back. “She belongs to me now, not you, and – “

“She is not your property!” Kaden bellowed. “And if you think that I will sit idly by and watch as you destroy her life, you’re wrong!”

“You’ll have to kill me before I let you take her from me! Do you understand human?” James’ body was swelling, and his large frame was shaking with anger.

“I’m not afraid of you Lycan.” Kaden snarled. “I don’t –

“Stop it, both of you!” Bree’s voice broke through his cloud of rage, and James whipped around to stare at her. He sighed harshly at her white face, and the way her body was shaking with fear.

“Bree, honey, I’m sorry. Don’t be afraid. I – “

“I’m not afraid!” She snapped at him. “I’m angry. I don’t belong to you James.”

He blinked in surprise and behind him, Kaden snickered loudly. Bree turned on her brother.

“Nor do I belong to you Kaden.” She spat. “I’m an adult, and I can make my own decisions about what or who I want.”

“Bree – “

“Be quiet Kaden!” She shouted and he took a step back, staring at her in astonishment.

“I’ve had enough of both of your ridiculous behaviour.” She glared at them. “I understand that you both are looking out for me, but that doesn’t give you the right to argue like spoiled children over how I will live my life.”

She turned to James. “I would like to speak to my brother in private.”

He frowned. “Bree, that isn’t a good idea. He – “

She shook her head. “James, he’s my brother. He’s not going to hurt me for the gods sake. Please, give us some privacy.”

James hesitated and her face softened at the look of hurt on his face. She cupped his face. “Do not look at me like that my love. I will join you shortly.”

He took her hand and squeezed it almost painfully. “Do you promise?”

She smiled at him. “Of course I do.”

She stood on her tiptoes and placed a gentle kiss on his mouth. He kissed her back and gave her a brief, hard hug. “I love you Bree.”

“I love you too.”

He continued to stare at her, holding her tightly against his body, and behind them Kaden snorted disdainfully. “Go on Lycan, you’re dismissed.”

James tensed against her and she scowled at her brother. “Stop it Kaden.”

With a final glare at her brother, James turned and left the room. Kaden smiled at him impudently as Bree walked towards him. She shoved him hard, and he winced as he stumbled back.

“I said stop it Kaden.” She hissed at him.

He gave her his own look of hurt. “Bree, what’s happened to you?”