Tanner burst out laughing. “I checked the fucking rules. You know what it all means, don’t you? You’ve got to try to mate with that thing!”
Gage wrapped his fingers around his son’s neck. He didn’t hold him too tightly, but it was enough to give the boy a warning. “You think I didn’t check the rules, Tanner? You think I would put a woman in a position when I didn’t know what was expected of me? I know I’ve got the opportunity to make that woman my mate.”
He squeezed a little tighter. “I get to take her, claim her, fuck her, make her mine, and because of your rejection, there is not a single thing you can do about it. Now, I suggest you learn your manners while you are under my roof. You prove to me that you’re worth my time, or I can make life very uncomfortable for you.” He released his son, poured himself another generous shot of whiskey, and flung it back.
“I don’t get it. Women throw themselves at you all the time. You can have anyone.”
“I’m cleaning up your mess.” He turned back to look at his son, perching on the edge of the desk. Gage scented the air. “You think I don’t know what you did? Why you did it?” He chuckled. “After three years of finding yourself near her at every opportunity, it all became clear. You think I didn’t see your body’s reaction to that time she went to the pool? Your dick getting hard at the sight of her?”
Tanner grew even redder with every passing second. “I knew she was your mate. I didn’t expect you to reject her like this. A true mate is rare, my son. You threw her away, and I picked up the pieces. Now get out of my office. I’ll be watching you closely.”
“You really did know?” Tanner asked. His shoulders were slumped.
“Yes, and for the first time in my life, with the way you rejected her, I felt shame in you. You’re not the son I raised. You’re not the man I hope to have take over this pack. Now get out of my sight before I give you a reason to be pissed.”
Tanner didn’t argue with him, merely stepping out of the office and leaving the stench of his mood lingering in the air.
Gage had never been a selfish man. From the time he’d been a little boy, knowing his fate to take over from his grandfather, he’d devoted his entire life to the pack. Never taking anything for himself. His father had been killed hunting for a thrill down at a waterfall. He’d made a jump, got trapped by the waves, and drowned. His mother hadn’t stuck around. Gage’s grandfather had discovered her dead body a year after. She’d overdosed, rare for a wolf to do, but still possible with the right substances and mixes.
From that point on, he vowed to be better, to learn everything.
Connie was the first time he felt selfish, but he’d given his son the chance. Now she was his, and he wasn’t going to let her go willingly.
Chapter Two
Constance didn’t sleep well.
Dreams of wolves hunting her, unable to turn, plagued her. It was an old dream that had started when she was eighteen. She had them on and off again.
Waking up was always a blessing.
The room Gage had put her in had an en-suite bathroom. Before seeking him out, she took a quick shower, being careful not to take all the hot water, but it felt wonderful.
After he touched her, merely rubbing his arms up and down hers, she’d felt warm for the first time in three days. It was so good to not be shaking.
This morning, the cold was back. Every second that passed, it was like the thermostat of her body was constantly being turned down a degree.
Once washed, she dried her body, got dressed in a pair of jeans and a large shirt, ran a brush through her hair, and made her way downstairs. She didn’t own any fancy or revealing clothes. Her mother had told her it was best to start covering up her body as she disgusted everyone. Constance had gone along with it as it was easier to do as she was told than argue. She hated conflict of any kind. It always unnerved her.
Running her fingers through her hair, she walked down the stairs only to come to a stop at the foot when she caught sight of Tanner.
Instinct told her to run. The wolf within her wanted to claw his eyes out.
A simple no thanks would have done, bastard!
She said nothing, and there was nowhere for her to run to. Tanner looked up. He held a mug of coffee in his hand.
For a few seconds, she paused, looking at him. She decided to ignore him, walking down the steps, getting to the last step, and was about to move away from him, when he captured her wrist.