Fatal Temptation: Between Two Alphas novel Chapter 15

Given that I don’t really want to deal with this mess, I do take my time. I shift and prowl Eric’s room. The walls are deep blue. The woodwork is dark and everything looks modern and expensive.

I don’t smell other females. I mean, there are remnant scents of sex and sweat, but if he has a girlfriend or something, she hasn’t been here recently.

Funny, the thought makes me jealous.

I think about Cameron for a second, but it’s like pulling the stopper on a water tower–tons of memories and feelings and regrets wash over me.

Nope. Not going there.

I stretch and curl up on Eric’s bed. It’s a nice bed. It was nicer still waking up with his arms around me.

My ears twitch. There’s yelling from outside, no doubt Jace is growing impatient. I wonder who else is here? My pulse quickens a bit with excitement. My stupid tail has the urge to wag. This is foolishness.

None of them stood up for me. No one tried to stop Cameron or to intervene. They cut me out like a cancer and didn’t give a thought to what might happen to me.

Go, Nala urges.

She’s right. I’m just putting off the inevitable. I can’t run from my past, and, really, this reckoning has been a long time coming.

I shift back to human and pad into the bathroom. It’s huge. Easily the size of my whole bedroom and marbled from floor to ceiling. The shower has dozens of heads and big fluffy towels are rolled and next to the sink.

I still have some gouges and my eye has a bluish tinge.

Why didn’t the shift heal me fully?

When I’m dressed and approaching the hall, I’m hit with the welcoming scent of fried chicken and apple pie.

I wish Jace had picked another day to show up. This is my first time on Eric’s lands, and I would’ve appreciated the chance to explore.

Eric sits at the head of the table with his men fanned out behind him.

Jace sits at the opposite end. He brought Declan, Michail, Tyler and Liam. Michail and Liam are our most ruthless fighters. Just what kind of ‘visit’ are they expecting?

Platters of chicken and fixings–mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, biscuits, and bowls with gravy are spread at the center of the table. It’s Southern fare and smells like it’s been done authentically, which has me glancing at Eric again. I don’t know his background or ancestry. I’m not sure where his pack originates or how they came to dominate the whole west coast.

I’ve known him less than twenty-four hours.

I’m grateful for the angle I enter the room because it lets me approach dead-center. I don’t have to make any immediate choices, although as far as decisions go, I’m leaning toward a new future–not revisiting the ghosts of my past.

“It’s good to see you,” Jace says.

His whole face lights up and a part of me wants to run into his arms, knowing he’d pick me up and hug me hard. Jace gives the best hugs. His green eyes are the mirror image of Cameron’s–so like my son’s.

“We’ve missed you.” Jace’s brow creases with concern as he notices my bruises and abrasions.

“Mia…” Jace’s green eyes beseech me. “Please. We are your family. Cam calls for you in his sleep. He won’t stop calling for you. He’s dying. Can’t you come back and help him, or at least just come home and give him peace?”