“Seems like you’ve got your work cut out for you, Jase,” Danica advises. “And while I don’t think it’s a lost cause, I urge you to take this time apart to consider the best way forward.”
My blood thunders in my veins with so much pressure it feels like my head is about to blow off.
“What the fuck?” I demand, my voice lethal.
“I advise you to think carefully about the best way to win the heart of your mate. You may think it’s yours for the taking but I assure you, you’ll do serious damage if you don’t handle things the right way. And that damage might be more difficult to undo than you’re prepared for.”
“Get me out of here so I can catch up with her!”
“I urge you to reflect on why Bailey might be resistant to you.”
“And I urgeyouto get me the fuck out of here before I lose my goddamn mind! That’s my mate, I’ve been stuck in this bubble, before that I was stuck in restraints, unable to touch her, unable to protect her, and I need to rectify that now.”
She says nothing.
“Right now!” I add.
“If I get you out of there, what will you do?”
“If?”
She waits, cocking one eyebrow.
I let out a sound of frustration. “Of course I’m gonna go catch up with her and do what I’m supposed to do.”
“And that is?”
“Claim her. Protect her. Take her home and start our life together.”
“You can’tjustclaim her, Jase. You’ve got to be smart here. She’s very wounded by the way you’ve treated her and if you–”
“This is none of your goddamn business, witch. If you and your fuckin’ sisters hadn’t baited her to get her to follow me, none of this shit would’ve happened!”
“Things happen as they’re supposed to.”
“Yeah, and I’msupposedto be claiming my mate and making things right with her.”
“You can’t go off all half-cocked alpha and expect her to justdeal. If you aren’t extremely careful, you’ll do more damage.”
“This is not your business. Nobody gets between an alpha and his mate.”
She gives me a measuring look before she says, “That might be the rule in your pack, but I am not a member of your pack. And Bailey has asked me to help her so that’s what I’m going to do.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“How about if we give you some time to cool off and then we’ll talk about it?” she suggests, then lifts her bag and climbs the stairs.
I stomp up behind her. “Don’t you fucking dare leave me here!”
But she’s already left through the door, left it open but I can’t get any further.
Fuck!
***
Several Hours Later
“Are you ready to have a reasonable conversation about this?” she asks from the top of the stairs.