Page 30 of Bold Mercy

I moved hastily out of his way. Let them kill each other, if that’s what they needed to do. I’d had enough. I needed to shift, heal, and get back out there. I frowned, suddenly remembering that Joe was supposed to meet me. The second I thought it, though, my cell vibrated.

I turned my back on Jared and Eli and read the text from my mother.

I just heard. Are you okay? I’m outside keeping Joe company until you get here.

Relieved, I tapped out a quick reply. I’m okay but having a delay. Be there soon. Tell Joe?

I didn’t want her to know I was going to shift before I went hunting, because she’d only worry. Zach was so quiet I’d almost forgotten he was in the room, but when I looked at him, he gestured toward the door. Without hesitating, I dropped my phone back into my pocket and gave him a nod. I was more than ready to exit the testosterone-laden room.

“Kait,” Jared said, as I put my hand on the doorknob. “I want to talk to you.”

I yanked open the door and strode out, Zach at my back. I didn’t answer him, so Zach answered for me. “Come find her when you’re done being an asshole.”

But it didn’t bother me that the alpha was an asshole. Most alphas were assholes. It bothered me that he obviously didn’t think of me as one of them. He didn’t want me sticking my nose in pack business. And he for damn sure didn’t think of me as his equal. To him, I was just another of his wolves, and he’d proven that.

That was why we hadn’t had sex, despite the fact that I’d thrown myself at him. He’d told me I wasn’t ready. Ready to…what? Accept him as my lord and master?

Fuck that.

It royally pissed me off that I cared so very much, when he cared not at all.