Page 60 of Crossed Fates

I arched a brow. “Yeah? And what’s that?”

“Heart,” he said through his teeth, and I couldn’t help but wonder if he meant his name or the organ.

“Sometimes it’s not about having heart,” my father interjected before I had a chance to reply. “Sometimes, an alpha needs to be logical and take charge so he can handle the threat while his people grieve in peace.”

Hardt said nothing.

My father stepped forward to clap him on the shoulder, his expression stern yet somehow full of understanding as well. “The pack needs more than emotional succor right now, Beta Hardt. They need protection. It’s a decision only an alpha truly understands, so let’s leave the leading to my son, yeah?”

Makayla

Daaaamn!Maybe I should call the fire department because someone just got BURNED.

It was an immature and ill-timed thought, but I couldn’t help it. Whether Alpha Hawk had intended it to be or not, that had been some class A passive-aggressive insulting.

Unfortunately, my amusement was short-lived because Hardt’s expression turned sour and his eyes filled with bitter contempt. His gaze took in all three of us, but his animosity lingered longer on me. Because I’d gotten him a blanket? Or was it something else?

Alaric snarled low in warning, his wolf flashing in his gaze.

I understood the feeling because the more Hardt glared at me, the more I wanted to shift and teach the motherfucker how to properly bow to an alpha.

However,the sound of Alaric’s increased rumble had Hardt smoothing his expression. He bent to secure the blanket around Kristen, then stood with her in his arms and returned to the small gathering. Alaric’s jaw clenched as Hardt showered the crowd with gentle words and alpha-like promises. The beta was really toeing a line, one that would hurt like hell if he made one wrong step. Because I had no doubt Alaric would kick his ass on principle alone.

Hardt took his leave with several pack members trailing after him like lost puppies.

A few looked to Alaric first, and he lifted his chin in response, dismissing them with the kindness of a true alpha.

Savannah surprisingly lingered, her sad hazel eyes flickering to Alaric and then to Hawk and back again. She stumbled forward a little, her movements awkward and broken.

Alaric reached for her. “Come here,” he whispered, opening his arms for a hug.

She practically dove at him.

A low rumbling echoed in my chest.

Cut it out,I thought at my wolf.

Then Savannah pressed her nose into Alaric’s bare chest, and my wolf full-on growled.

Back the hell off,I snapped at her—my wolf, not Savannah.He is not ours.

Alaric met my gaze over the girl’s head, his blue eyes sparkling with mirth.

Seriously. He chooses now as a good time to be amused?I narrowed my eyes at him.You’re lucky I don’t have another knife,I thought at him. Not that he could hear me.

His lips twitched, and Isuppressed the desire to give him a high five. In the face. With my fist.

When Savannah’s gaze darted to mine, my wolf threw herself against me, trying to get out. It must have shown in my eyes because the girl jumped away from Alaric like he was on fire. Her gaze darted back and forth between me and Alaric a couple of times before she mumbled, “Um… sorry.”

I sighed. “It’s fine. Pay no attention to the wolf behind the curtain. She’s confused.”

Alaric coughed to hide a laugh. At least, I assumed that was the cause of his strangled sound.

“Don’t make me stab you again.”

Now his lips twisted into a full-on grin. “I believe it’s my turn to play with a knife, sweetheart.” Then he looked down at Savannah again, noting the fresh tears in her gaze. “Oh, Savi,” he whispered, holding open his arms once more.

“It’s… it’s not… you,” she stammered. “I just… I miss him. And she—Kristen—was here for me. And now she’s dead, too. Everyone’s dying around me.” She started to shake, and he pulled her against his chest once again.