“Fine. I will be over when the meeting is over. I am having issues with Alpha Jamie,” Ryker said.
“Fine. But bring Aamon with you. He needs to know this,” I told him.
“Whatever it is, I can handle it, Tyson. I am not going to pull him from work because Lucy wants to go back to school when I already know the answer.”
“Lucy is not going back to school. Nor is she leaving my side. Just get Aamon here, or Avery. I don’t care which one,” I told him.
“You are being a pain in the ass. Just spit it out, Tyson, so I can get back to work!” he snapped at me through the link.
I wanted Lucy to tell them, but now I was wondering if I had no other choice. None of them were going to take her seriously.
“Her teacher tried to rape her. That’s why she burned the classroom down.” I told him. He growled, the mindlink vibrating dangerously, almost cutting off.
“What did you just say?”
“He tried to rape her.” I repeated, feeling sick just saying those words. No wonder she changed. No wonder she became distant.
“I’m on my way.” he said, cutting off the link. I refocused on the room and looked down at my mate passed out on the bed. Getting up, I grabbed one of my shirts from the drawer before pulling her jumper off, leaving her in her singlet before pulling my shirt over her head. I then walked the blood-soaked jumper into the laundry before chucking it into the washing machine. Just as I turned around, Aamon misted into my hallway, scaring the crap out of me.
“Ryker said to come here. Something urgent?” he said, looking around. The smell of burned almonds flooded my senses, and I scrunched up my nose when I heard a car speeding up the long driveway before skidding to a stop.
“And that would be Ryker,” Aamon said, walking to the front of the house.
I followed Aamon, Ryker stomping up the porch steps before nearly ripping the door from the hinges as he forced it open.
“Where is she?” he said, and Aamon looked at him, confused.
“She is asleep. Ace marked her,” I told him, and he opened his mouth before closing it.
“She figured out she was your mate?” he asked.
“No. They had an argument, and Ace blurted it out. He marked her when she rejected him,” I told him. He growled, his eyes flickering dangerously as his canines protruded. Good! Ace deserved what was coming to him.
Chapter twenty-one
Lucy
I awoke to the sound of voices. My head was pounding, and my neck was stinging. Groaning, I got up, rubbing my eyes as I swung my legs over the side of the bed. I found myself in Tyson’s room. The door was cracked open slightly, and I could hear the murmurs of people talking somewhere in the packhouse. Getting up, I clutched my neck, the movement making my mark sting. Tears brimmed in my eyes that he marked me. I hated him! I hated him with everything in me! I felt betrayed by him. Now, there was no escaping the bond.
Walking to the door, I opened it. The door creaked, and the house suddenly fell quiet.
“Tyson?” I called out, hoping Ace wasn’t the one that was home. I heard footsteps before seeing Tyson suddenly appear in the hallway, and I rushed toward him. Throwing my arms around him, as he hugged me, and I breathed in his scent, sparks rushing over my skin as he pressed his lips to my head. Hearing voices again, I looked up at him.
“Who is here? Is Ace here?” I asked, not wanting to see him.
“No, he isn’t here. But, come on,” Tyson said, grabbing my hand and tugging me down the hall when the smell of burned almonds overloaded my senses, and I knew a demon was in the house. I froze, my entire body locking up, and Tyson stopped before cupping my face and brushing his thumb over my cheek.
“You are safe, I promise. Ace isn’t here,” he said, tugging me to him before walking me out into the living room. If I was scared before, it was nothing compared to how I felt now seeing all their faces. I felt bile rise in my throat, and I ripped my hand from Tyson’s. My heart raced in my chest so hard I could hear it. My stomach dropped as I stared back at my stepfather, Aamon, Avery, and last of all, my mother. I stepped backward.This can’t be happening. Why were they looking at me like that?
I hated being in the spotlight, and suddenly, all eyes were on me. The pity in their eyes made me feel pathetic, and I knew they knew. I looked at Tyson and stepped further toward the front door, my stepfather stepping in front of it before I could make a run for it.
“You told them?” I asked, horrified and humiliated, looking at Tyson.
“They needed to know, Lucy.” I shook my head. How could he? How could he do this to me?
“Lucy?” my mother said softly, making me look at her and her huge swollen belly, tears running down her cheeks as she tried to get up.
“No. No, you don’t get to care now! None of you do.” I told her before looking at Tyson.