Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 47126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
“Let go of my mate,” Brandon said. She jerked her arm away and turned to see him stood in the doorway of the diner. Alaric stood.
“You lied to the vamps. Lori is not your mate.”
“I did what I had to. She’s human.”
“That doesn’t excuse your behaviour. You shouldn’t have kept her hidden. Your father never kept your mother hidden,” Alaric said.
Elle was starting to get a headache with their raised voices. She pressed her palms to Alaric’s chest. “Please sit down, and tell me what I can get you to eat.”
Brandon was behind her in a second. He grabbed her around the waist and pulled her against him. She fought him.
“Don’t touch him, Elle.”
She broke free. “You made your choice. Sit down and eat, or get out.” Elle kept her back to him. Looking at him hurt too damn much.
“You’ll pay for this,” Brandon said, directing his words at Alaric.
“I look forward to seeing you try.”
Alaric sat down, and Brandon took a seat at his usual table. After several seconds passed the diner went back to normal. She glanced toward the kitchen to see Daisy holding a wooden spoon, ready to fight.
“Now, what can I get you?” Elle asked. The table gave their order. Alaric made her wait the longest for his order. She took the order to the kitchen and then grabbed the coffee jug. After serving the bears their coffee, Elle made her way back to the kitchen. Layla stood waiting for her.
“Brandon’s table are refusing to order from me. You’ll have to do it,” she said.
Taking a deep breath, she saw the comforting stare from Daisy before she made her way out to their table.
Notepad and pen in hand she walked over to Brandon’s table. Elle felt the customers’ gazes on her. She approached the table. Lewis gave her a quick smile. She didn’t understand the change in the other men. He seemed to go from liking and hating her. His moods confused her.
“What can I get you?” she asked, standing as far away from Brandon as she could.
“Don’t let another man touch you,” Brandon said.
“You don’t order me around, Brandon. You gave up that right when you let that slut Lori touch you.”
“You’re my mate. I’m doing everything I can to protect you.”
“That’s not your choice. You didn’t even give me a chance to make up my mind. Order, or leave me alone.”
He glared at her, but Elle wasn’t backing down. She might be human, but she was a stubborn fucking human; and it was about time Brandon realised it.
Chapter Eighteen
Brandon made his way up to the house with his men behind him. The first of the meetings were scheduled for tonight, and he needed to get there before the sun went down. He’d spent most of his time at the diner watching Elle. She served him without really seeing him. He’d never anticipated her anger like he did. Alaric had been right, and he’d get punished for keeping Elle secret. They all had rules, and lying about his mate broke the rules.
Lewis refused to talk to him, and he sensed Darcy and Drake’s disapproval.
Crazy Lizzy sat on the steps outside the house. She stared up at the sky.
“You’re early,” she said.
“I’ve got nowhere else to be.”
“Everyone is waiting for you.” Lizzy stood then walked into the house.
He turned to his men. “I know you think I did the wrong thing, but you’ve got to understand I was doing what I thought was right to protect her.”
“You’ve put her in more danger by refusing her claim by your side. I sense her leaving us,” Lewis said.
“I won’t let Elle leave. I promise I’ll sort this out. She’s my mate.”
“Do you love her?” Darcy asked.
“What do you mean?”
“It’s a simple question. Do you love her?”
“She’s my mate,” Brandon said.
“No, being a mate doesn’t mean you love her. Couples can mate but not love each other. Elle is not a type of woman you fuck. She’s a forever kind of woman. When she opened herself up to you last night, she let us all inside. We’re connected to her. Taking her as your mate is not about you. It’s about the good of the pack. You either love her or let her go,” Darcy said.
The other man walked away. Lewis and Drake followed Darcy leaving Brandon alone outside to deal with his thoughts.
“Wow, they really made their thoughts known,” Alaric said.
Brandon turned to watch the bear leader approach. “Why are you here?”
“I agree with your men. You need to make a choice. Either way, Elle is in danger.”
“I don’t tell you how to handle your pack. Don’t presume to tell me how to deal with mine,” Brandon said.
“Noted.” Alaric walked up the steps, and Brandon followed behind him. They walked into the house and then went down to the basement. Alexander and Charles sat at the head of the table.