Page 80 of Trust No Alpha

I wondered what Thorne was doing right now. He had to be going crazy trying to figure out ways to get me out of here.

All I could hope was for Father to see reason after he calmed down from our confrontation yesterday. How long would that take? A day? A week? I had no idea. Father could hold a grudge for a long time in business. Would he be as harsh with me?

All afternoon I waited, growing more and more angry and frustrated. How could he ignore me like this?

I fixed myself a frozen dinner and ate only half.

I stared out the window, wishing my wing faced Thorne’s house. I saw nothing but a few cars drive up the road, none of them belonging to him.

I paced and did laps about my extended room, bypassing the gym equipment and the hot tub.

Father could not ignore me forever.

Finally, as the evening deepened, I heard footsteps at my door and the handle rattling.

I stood about ten feet away, facing it, my hands fists at my sides.

Father entered, looking a bit startled to see me already glaring.

He raised an eyebrow and said, “You are settling back in, then?”

I swallowed hard. “No.”

“I have given you plenty of time to calm yourself. Do you want a rational discussion now? Or--” He turned slightly toward the door. “I can leave and come back another time.”

“I’m not calm, Father, and I never will be. Your men took me away from my husband!”

“I see. You’re not being rational, then.” He let out a heavy sigh. “He’s not your husband and you know it.”

“My fiancée, then. It’s what’s between us that matters.”

“No, Kris. It matters what is legal and binding. And this man is dangerous. He killed one Omega already. He’s obviously unpredictable. You can’t trust Alphas. I’ve taught you this. If you have nothing in writing, you could be abandoned without notice and there would be nothing you could do.”

I couldn’t imagine Thorne ever abandoning me. But the more I tried to plead my case with Father, the more he seemed to deflect me.

“How could this work then? What do I have to do?”

“Nothing. I think I’ve made myself very plain. I do not sanction this—whatever is going on, this cohabitation with that Alpha. It’s a very very bad choice, son.”

“You can’t know that. You’ve never met the man!”

“I see you have not grown up much since you ran away.”

“Since you attacked me?”

Father turned away, ignoring my statement. “I’m looking out for your welfare, Kris, whether you believe me or not.”

“I don’t believe you. I’m not even safe from you!”

Father took a deep breath. I saw his chest puff out. He would not look at me.

“Which is why I am making other arrangements for you.”

“What arrangements?”

“I’m sorry, Kris. But you can’t stay here. You ran away once. You need to be in a safer place.” When he spoke, it was with authority, his tone edged with something like sorrow.

But for me? I didn’t think so. It was for himself and his pride. He was ashamed of me. And he needed me out of his sight and mind.