I’d think of something, though, or more likely, the former beta would screw up and let his evil side out again. Then I’d have full rights to rip his head from his body.

It was really the least he deserved.

5

By the time we made it back to Torma, we weren’t talking, but somehow I felt closer to Jaxson than I had in a long time. His offer to help with both Simone and my memory loss was apparently the olive branch I’d been waiting for, to step forward and try to rebuild a semblance of a friendship.

It would take time. Years, if I knew myself at all, but a step forward was a step in the right direction.

Chatter and laughter blasted into us as we arrived on the edge of the cleared pack lands. The wolf mixer was still in full force. My palm itched again, and I rubbed it against the tattered remains of my dress, forcing myself not to think about this weird new development. Had I hit some undiscovered species of plant that shifters were allergic to?

I mean, odder shit had happened, right?

As we stepped into the light, no one even glanced twice at us emerging a little beaten up and dirty. They’d just assume I’d half-shifted and busted my dress, and that we’d been running through the forest. Shifters were often in a state of disarray. Such was the nature of the beast.

“I’m probably going to head out,” I said to Jaxson, rubbing my palm against the torn side of my dress again. “I think I’ve had my fill of duty for the night.”

Before he could reply, Torin appeared.

I must have let out an annoyed groan under my breath because Jaxson shot me a warning look. Yeah, it probably wasn’t normal to detest the sight of your true mate, but despite the connection I felt through our bond, most of me hated his guts. Our mystical bond was not Torin’s ticket to a life with me, especially not after the way he’d treated me. Now he had to earn my body, soul, and love.

No woman should settle for less than that.

“Where have you two been?” Torin asked, and his words were clipped as he ran his eyes over what remained of my dress and the traces of blood on it.

“For a run—”

“None of your fucking business,” I snapped over the top of Jaxson, who, as always, thought he needed to baby his alpha. “You don’t own me. Ask me a question in that tone again and I’ll rip your face off… and smile about it.”