Obsession: A Rejected Mate Shifter Romance (The Mate Games #1)(71)

“Father Gallagher will know,” Alek butted in. “I don’t like the way he watches you. He’s possessive.”

I snorted. “Says the man who just growled mine like a caveman.”

He blushed. The big, strong Viking man blushed. “Um . . .”

“If you don’t go, neither will I.” Noah slid his palm over the small of my back, sending a shiver down my spine. “I’d rather spend the night in bed, anyway.”

I opened and closed my mouth. It was a tempting offer, but he was missing the point. Just because I had feelings for him didn’t mean I suddenly wanted someone else making decisions about my life or who I could or couldn’t spend time with. That decision was my own, and since I didn’t feel comfortable making it, I decided I wouldn’t choose any of them. I’d choose myself instead.

“No. If I don’t go, it’s because I want to be alone.”

“Not possible, K?rasta.” The way Alek said that word had something in my chest warming. Like something was awakened in me.

“Why not?”

“You know why.”

I released a heavy breath, some of the fight leaving me. Stupid Moira and her stupid visions. “Okay, then Moira can stay with me and babysit. Penis not required.”

Alek leaned close, invading my space. “Maybe not, but in this, I will not be swayed. Your safety is my top priority, whether you like it or not. So either you go to the ball with one of us, or you stay home with one of us. It’s the only way we can keep you safe until the threat is neutralized.”

“I should have just stayed locked in my tower back home. This is ridiculous. Why does anyone want to kill me, anyway? I’m a defective shifter. Damaged goods.”

Noah stiffened beside me, but Alek beat him to the protest. Curling his hand around my cheek, eyes warm with an emotion I was too scared to name, he shook his head. “No, Sunday. You are perfect. I’ve felt the power pouring through you. It consumes me. You’re a lot of things. Exquisite. Unique. Untamed. But damaged is not one of them.”

There he went, being a swoony bastard again. This was why I couldn’t stay mad at him. He did shit like that. “I don’t want to choose.”

“So don’t. Take us both,” Alek suggested.

“Both?” I snorted. “And what is Madame Moody going to say when she sees me walking in sandwiched between the two of you?”

“Do you really think a deity is going to care how many men you have at your side? Have you ever read mythology? The gods take new lovers as often as they change clothes. She wouldn’t bat an eye at you arriving with both of us.”

That gave me pause. Here it was again. More proof that polyamory wasn’t just accepted in our society; in some instances, it was encouraged.

“You both really want to go with me?”

“You know there’s no other choice for me, little wolf,” Noah said, eyes blazing hot.

“Nor I,” Alek admitted, his voice tender.

Slow clapping filled the air, and like a snake slithering from his hiding place, Kingston appeared out of the shadows. “Well done, Sunshine. You got them both to hand you their balls.” He stepped closer and inhaled. “You must really have a magical cunt. I wasn’t aware the Viking had gotten a taste too.”

Anger curled in my belly, calling my wolf to the surface. “Don’t be a little bitch because they have what you want.”

“Who says I still want you? I don’t like sloppy seconds.”

“The way you always seem to pop up and metaphorically pull on my pigtails like a stupid schoolyard bully.”

A wicked glint flashed in his eyes. “The only time I’ll be pulling your hair is when I’m deep inside you, fucking you so hard you forget all about these two.”

I wasn’t even going to point out that he was contradicting himself. “In your dreams.”

“Are you sure you don’t mean in yours?”

A bolt of arousal hit me, merging with my anger and sending my wolf howling with need. I hated that I wanted him, but there was no ignoring my body’s reaction to his promise. Even if I had no intention of acting on it.

Noah stepped in front of me, shoulders tense. “The difference between us and you, dog, is that we are giving her what she wants. I’d rather share her and be given a place in her heart than spend my life on the outside looking in. You’re too bloody selfish to do that, which means you’ll never be hers.”

Kingston scowled, but I caught the hint of pain Noah’s words caused before he quickly covered the emotion with more posturing. “Keep her. I’m done fighting for a mate who doesn’t want me.”

Guilt and something that tasted a lot like sorrow tore at me. As childish as he could be, I never meant to hurt Kingston. Everything he’d done since the day of our mating ceremony had been a direct result of my rejection. It didn’t forgive his awful behavior, but it put it in a new light.

Kingston stormed off, leaving me torn between wanting to punch him, hug him, and fuck him all at the same time. I hated it.

My shoulders slumped, and I turned away from the path he’d headed down. I needed to let go of him, but I couldn’t. It hurt. Even though I had two strong, protective, gorgeous men at my side, Kingston’s anger physically hurt me. My wolf mourned every second he was away from us.