Beauty Sleeps (Fairytale Shifter #2)(9)

Stone crosses his arms and widens his stance, looking unmovable. “He’ll stay there for as long as I think he needs.”

Dominic turns to me and I see the flash in his eyes. I don’t know if it’s anger or pity, or maybe a little of both. “X, change back. We need to talk.”

I look from Dom to Stone and shake my head. I need my wolf to be ready if they try something. If they open the cage, I need to be able to break out. I feel more comfortable in this form right now, so if they need to talk, it’s just gonna be on their side.

“Fine. If this is how we need to do it.” Dominic turns to Stone but neither of them speak. Finally, Dom rolls his eyes and begins talking. “I knew Gwen was your mate after the first time you saw Ruby and you tried to claim her. You said you scented your mate at the time, and Gwen worked with Ruby. Gwen makes all the cookies and that’s why you always like those best. Her scent is on them.”

I see tension flow through Stone but I don’t care. Hearing about my mate makes my need rise in me, and I start to whine.

“You can’t have her,” Stone growls.

I lunge at the bars of the cell, and Stone takes a step back. I feel a little satisfaction in the fact that I can rattle him.

“Everyone, calm down!” Dom yells, and I take a breath.

I need to get out of here, and I need to relax to do that. If I can somehow convince them that I’m docile, maybe they’ll let me out and I can escape.

“Stone, you know he’ll go crazy if he can’t get to her. He’ll go insane, and some wolves don’t come back from that.”

Stone gives me a cold look and then turns to Dom. “Would you give him over to Ruby?”

“She’s my mate. That’s different.” Dominic snaps.

“Gwen is my little sister. She’s all that I have left. I have to protect her.” Stone looks over at me and his eyes narrow. “Just like you should have protected your little sister.”

I snarl and lunge at the bars again, this time I throw my shoulder against them, and I feel some give. I snap at him, wanting nothing more than to sink my teeth into his flesh to punish him for his words. Pain rolls through me as the loss of my mother and sister hits me hard. He’s right. I should have protected them. What kind of mate can I be to Gwen?

“Goddamn it, Stone. What is wrong with you? That was an accident. There wasn’t anything anyone could have done and you f*cking know it.” Dom looks at me, and I’m sure they can both smell my pain. “That was a long time ago, and we’re all still hurting for your loss.”

Stone lets his arms uncross and drop to his sides. “I’m sorry, brother.” I look into his eyes and I can see the remorse. He would only bring up something so painful if he was hurting, too. “She’s all the family I have left. I’m unmated, and if she’s mated to you, then I have nothing.”

I feel the weight of his words and I understand. I know what it was like to be lonely for so long. Even if I put the isolation on myself, it wasn’t easy. I have things I need to say to Stone, so I rein in my wolf and shift back to human form.

Once I’m in control of my skin again, I lock eyes with Stone and try not to challenge him. “You never liked me looking at her. Even before I went into isolation.”

“She was too young.” He grits the words out and clenches his fists. There’s something odd about the way he says it. Like he’s angry with himself as well. “She wasn’t of age, and you were looking at her wrong. You should have controlled it. You should have walked away from her.”

“Wrong? I never crossed a line with Gwen. My wolf knew she was special to me. We didn’t know at the time she was my mate, but yes, I was drawn to her when she was young.”

“You watched her sleep.” Again, Stone’s words are saying one thing, but guilt is pouring from him. “It wasn’t right. You shouldn’t have looked at her when she was underage. Even if you never acted on it.”

I want to question it, but I’m trying to control myself. I’ve been away from my mate for too long and the need is rising.

“I was with Gwen the day I lost my family. I felt so guilty because I was with her instead of protecting my family. I couldn’t bear to be around anyone again after that. If I couldn't protect my family, how could I protect her?” The confession makes my heart ache, but it’s the truth. I need Stone to understand my pain and let me out of here.

“And now that you’re mated to her, will you be able to protect her?” Stone’s jaw tics, and I can feel his anger. “Because I will let you die in this cage before I allow her to be with someone who can’t protect her.

Wrapping my hands around the bars, I step close and let Stone see the full size of my body. I’m naked, but no one is fazed by that; it’s normal for shifters. “I will die for her without hesitation. But don’t forget, alpha,” I say the word with emphasis because we both know I could take him in a fight, “if you keep me from her, not only will I go mad, but so will she. Gwen will feel every ounce of pain you’re willing to inflict on me.”

He raises his chin mockingly. “I’m prepared to drug her until you’re gone and the need passes.” My eyes go wide and a growl erupts from my chest.

I hear Dominic’s intake of breath. “Stone, you can’t be serious.”