“Itdoesmatter.” I step toward him, away from Nathaniel and Blake. “Taking him off the taxi runs will cut his hours. And he was kicked out of the Fairwind?—”
“Jared’s on a salary, same as Kyle,” Nathaniel interrupts. “He’s not going to lose money for having a slower pace at work. As for the housing, we’ll find him somewhere else to stay. These were all things we were going to discuss with him.”
Hurt flashes across Jared’s face before his head drops again. “I can sleep on the floor in Kyle’s cabin?—”
“No,” I snap, and relief washes over his face. “There’s no reason to put anyone out when I have a spare bedroom you can use.”
“We appreciate it,” Nathaniel says. “We’ll compensate you for putting you out.”
“I’m not worried about it.” I cross my arms over my chest. “What matters is you sidelining Jared for something that wasn’t his fault.”
Blake sighs. “Emily, we’ve explained?—”
My chest aches, and I rub it. “Jared tried to help an Omega who was being harassed by two other Alphas. That’s the story. The whole story.”
Jared shifts beside me, his scent warming with hope.
Nathaniel studies my face, his expression unreadable. “You care about this a great deal.”
“I care about what’s right.” The half-truth burns my tongue. This isn’t abstract justice I’m fighting for. It’s personal in ways I’m not ready to examine.
“Just give us a few days,” Blake says at last. “Let us handle this our way first.”
Jared touches my arm, his fingers warm through my shirt sleeve. “It’s okay, Emily. Honest.”
But it’s not okay. The defeat in his eyes, the way he accepts this injustice without a hint of resistance, cuts deep. I’ve been there, too, pushed aside, treated like what matters to me doesn’t matter at all.
“Fine,” I tell Blake and Nathaniel. “But I’m calling a meeting with the crew today. I can’t have my own people continue to spread false rumors.”
Nathaniel’s eyebrows rise. “We’ll set up a projector in the break tent and be there to show our support.”
Nathaniel gestures for Jared to follow him to discuss his new duties.
As they walk away, Blake remains beside me, both of us watching Jared’s retreating form. “Something you want to tell me about what’s going on between you two?”
I think of Jared standing on my porch with Mixie’s carrier in his hand, determined to right someone else’s wrong. Of his fumbling eagerness as he helps me with breakfast. Of his righteous anger on my behalf.
I let out a long breath. “I think I’m screwed.”
Blake chuckles and claps me on the back. “About time you moved on. Can’t say it’s the best timing, but these kinds of things never are.”
“Fuck.” I hang my head. “He’s so young, and in a vulnerable spot. People are already talking.”
“A wise woman once told me not to let unfavorable circumstances stop me from grabbing a chance for happiness.” Blake squeezes my shoulder. “And he hasn’t been quiet about his crush. This new situation doesn’t change how he already had heart-eyes every time he looked your way.”
“He’s got no pack to look out for his best interests,” I grumble.
Blake smirks at me. “Doesn’t he?”
With a wink, he walks off, leaving me rooted among the half-finished walls, wondering when protecting Jared stopped being about justice and started being about him.
Chapter Fourteen
Leif
Quinn’s small hand is warm in mine as we walk up the steps to the porch of Cabin One, her fingers tightening every few seconds with excitement.
Through the open front window comes the clatter of mixing bowls and Holden’s humming, carried on a wave of buttery heat and the rich sweetness of vanilla.