Page 106 of Those That Are Lost

The older male looks at the younger one before sighing. “Because Jackson suggested that we ask Antares to join us for a drink the other night.”

Antares cuts off mid-sentence at the mention of his name, him and Mitch turning our way.

“It’s okay, it doesn’t matter.” Jackson shrinks further back into the couch and waves a hand, trying to wave off the attention.

“It does matter, at least to me.” I slowly place my hand on his knee. The gesture makes him look at me and I see the extent of his injury. It's not just the dark bruising around his eye and up his brow, his eye is bloodshot too. My fangs descend and I have to zip my lips to ensure Jackson doesn’t think I’m angry with him.

“Well this looks cosy,” a voice that I already recognise for its grating tone booms across the space. I immediately drop my hand and swing round on my seat to see the three males I detest striding into the lounge. Ronan walks right up to us and stares down at where I’m sitting too close to Jackson for his liking. Tough shit.

“We’re just drinking and getting to know more of the pack,” Antares fires back. I can feel his hackles rise.

“Ooooo, he can understand us enough to answer in full sentences,” Cairn mocks, elbowing Tripp and laughing.

I reach for Antares as he stands but he slips my grasp and is in Cairn’s face in a blink. “What are you trying to say?”

Okay, I see how Antares gets into so many brawls. He’s quick to rise to their bait.

“He’s saying that you're a dumb Fae piece of shit and shouldn’t be here.” Tripp straightens. He’s a mountain of a male compared to Antares's slight frame. Although, apparently they’ve forgotten the power he’s capable of.

“Hey.” I stand, cutting off any further remarks. Six pairs of eyes land on me. “You don’t decide any of that. Antares has as much right to be here as you do. And you’ll do well to show more respect to all other members of this pack if I were you.” I don’t really have any authority yet but I’m supposed to be here to take up a leadership role. Nothing like the present to try it out. And I’m still pissed after finding out it was these thugs that hit Jackson.

“You don’t make those decisions either.” Ronan squares up to me, a move I won’t tolerate. I show him my fangs.

“Maybe not yet, but I will soon. And maybe there are things that need to change around here.”

“You think Adicious will let you decide what happens in this pack because he’s to be your mate?” No, I absolutely don’t think Adicious would give a mate that privilege, but I’m playing a role here and need to de-escalate this situation right now.

“I might sit beneath his rule but I’ll outrank you, so do us a favour, shut the fuck up and leave us alone. Or shall I tell Adicious that you’ve been trying to upset his future mate?”

The vitriol is almost tangible as it rolls off Ronan. His want to either hit me or continue arguing is crystal clear but hebacks off. He gestures to his friends and they grab some blood packets and leave.

“You should’ve let me give them a time-out from breathing,” Antares says as he slumps back onto the sofa and crosses his arms. I roll my eyes at his petulance.

“You can’t resort to your power all the time.” I offer him a grin so he knows I’m not admonishing him entirely. It does feel pretty good having put Ronan in his place, even if I have to use Adicious as a threat to do it.

“Why not? It’s so much fun seeing them squirm.”

“I’m proud of you for not using violence.” I pat him on the shoulder.

Mitch is wearing a full shit-eating grin and the other two look at me with a mix of trepidation and relief.

“I think you might be good for this pack,” Bartie remarks. I note Jackson nodding slightly too.

I add both of them to the list of those we will save when we take this pack down.

“Aurora, a word.”

My hope of a full day without running into the pack leader gets squashed as we leave the common room a little while later. I suppose I should be trying to spend some time with Adicious, but as he’s already on the kill list—at the top of it—I’d rather get to know the others in the pack. Time is limited and I want to save any of these males that have been trapped.

I give Antares a quick smile and turn around. “Of course.”

“In my office.” We both go to follow Adicious, but his lack of movement makes us pause. “Not you.” He gives a dismissive wave to my bodyguard.

“He’ll come or I won’t,” I inform him, leaving no room for discussion.

“You will or I’ll see that he spends a night unconscious downstairs.” He means the dungeon cellar. Antares’s power might protect us, but he can’t use if he’s unconscious.

I give Antares a look, and he tells me with silent eyes that I am in no circumstances to follow the request. But I knew this was coming. I can handle it.