Page 14 of Ondine: Vol. 2

“Are you open to possibilities now?” Boone asks, not knowing when to shut up.

Freddie finishes his mug of coffee and sets it down. “What are you asking, Boone?”

“Is this an open invitation that you’re interested in growing your pack?”

It almost sounds like he’s proposing the idea of courting.

No.

His face. His posture. His tone.

He’s challenging.

He stands above us. He isn’t eating. He’s very aware of me. He’s watching everything I’m doing. He’s pissing me off.

In a bitter tone, Freddie finally replies, “I don’t know. Why don’t you try something and see what happens?”

I slam my mug on the glass table.

“Stop it!”

They all stop.

“Boone, stop antagonizing my mate. I said I was feeling better, but if you upset him, it upsets me and I’m not to be fucked with right now.”

My anger is growing, and I can’t tame it.

“Why are you even here? Did Jake really even call you?”

Boone opens his mouth to defend himself, but Sebastian grabs his arm to stop him.

I look right at the spot where they are touching and I go completely still. All the blood runs out of my hands. My vision goes red.

“Don’t you dare fucking touch him. You don’t touch anyone. And you shouldn’t have let him in here.”

I cut myself off from Freddie. I didn’t even know I could do that, but I don’t want to feel how horrified he is of me right now. I just told myself last night that I would be amiable. Invisible. So that he didn’t feel trapped. And here I am, acting possessive and protective and absolutely unhinged.

Sebastian lets go of Boone and steps away from him. “You should leave. Now.” Sebastian’s voice is calm and steady as he tells this to Boone.

He is looking at me like I may just attack at any time. And he’s not wrong to think that. Freddie’s arms have slipped away from me, probably because he’s disappointed in my behavior. But it has the added benefit of leaving me open to attack the lawyer.

Boone shrugs, like he isn’t about to get his ear torn off by me, and says, “I just wanted to check in on you, sweetheart. I’ve got a client to meet here soon. I hope you enjoyed the tea—“

I’m shaking, I’m so angry. He just called me sweetheart, which is what Sebastian calls me. I track him the whole way as he’s leaving. And he takes his sweet, nonchalant time. He checks his phone. Nods to both alphas, who don’t nod back. He raps his knuckles on the table. Winks at me. Finally meanders off to the door.

I want to kill him.

I stand up and give Freddie some space. He follows Boone out, locking the door behind him.

I can’t even look at Sebastian.

I ruined the morning. It was all me. I just couldn’t let it go? I just couldn’t be chill? I’m usually so good at letting things go. My behavior was the opposite of what I wanted. The guilt eats into me, and before I know it I’m on the verge of tears. My head is down and I grip my middle.

Maybe if I just stay quiet from here on out, I’ll be ok. I’m sure I can recover from this.

“I’m sorry,” I breathe out, not to anyone in particular.

I hear Freddie’s steps come closer. They are marching and angry.