Rejected (Shadow Beast Shifters, #1)(16)

“This is the first time since we were kids that you’ve allowed yourself to be alone with me,” I said, changing the subject. “Might be the last time too, if you hand me back to the pack.”

A small huff of air escaped my mouth as he released his hold, all but dumping me on my ass. We were on the edge of the forest, the only barrier that remained between us and the open expanse of pack lands around the house. “Your father almost cost my family everything,” he snarled, staring me down like I was a piece of shit he’d stepped in. “Associating with you, or any Callahan, is a kiss of death.”

My wolf growled at his dominant position, and before I could think it through, I was on my feet, so fast and graceful that there was no way it was done without a little shifter help. I couldn’t wait to finally turn and have these abilities grow stronger.

I didn’t bother to address Jaxson and his insanely unfair comments, instead turning my face away from him to assess the situation and see if any wolves were closing in.

“Did you hear me?” he snapped, and it was abundantly clear he’d waited ten years for this knock-down fight he was trying to instigate, but honestly, I’d given up a long time ago expecting anything from Jaxson.

He didn’t give an inch, though, so I let out a sigh. “Sure, I imagine your life got super hard after my father was ripped to pieces, Jax. You’re totally in my prayers.”

To the fucking Shadow Beast. In the hopes he eviscerates your ass while you’re sleeping.

Silent threats counted. It was fact.

Jaxson seemed taken aback by my refusal to fight, but why would I put myself through an argument I couldn’t win? In the early days, I’d fought back a lot. Over and over. And it had only made their torture worse. I’d also begged and cried and cowered. All in the hopes I would find the one action to pacify the bullies so they’d leave me alone. But nothing had worked.

After a few years of that, I’d figured out that my reactions were only giving my bullies satisfaction.

So I’d stopped.

I’d stopped crying. I’d stopped fighting back. I’d acted like I’d barely noticed them… like their taunts hadn’t bothered me at all. And funnily enough, this was what had ended up working. Sometimes they’d even left me alone for months. Glorious, perfect, peaceful months.

“What’s with your hesitation to take me to Victor?” I challenged. “Are they throwing me a welcome home parade? Should I act surprised?”

I pretended to search through the tree line again, waiting for my “surprise.”

Jaxson growled, wrapping his long fingers around my wrist and yanking me along as he started to walk. He was definitely muttering something about fucking smartass, but at this point, it just made me laugh.

The second we stepped out into the wide-open land, skittish fear traced along my spine, and I focused on breathing through the anxiety. I might have been back here, but I was still standing, and I’d do my best not to let them see my fear.

“One day, you’ll look rattled again,” Jaxson said, staring me down. “One day, I’ll figure out your weakness, and when I do, you’ll fucking belong to me. Like fate always intended.”

What did he just say?

Reaching up, I tapped him on the shoulder. “I’m sorry, what? Belong to you? That sounds awfully possessive for someone who thinks associating with a Callahan is a kiss of death. Not to mention, it’s only polite to take someone out to dinner before you try to own them.”

Where the fuck did he get off even making a statement like that, after all the shit he’d put me through? My life would have been a whole lot better with Jaxson in my corner, and instead, he’d chosen to abandon me. Worse than that, he’d chosen to lead the fucking pitchfork squad.

He blinked, his light brown eyes clear in the sun rising on the horizon. “From what I recall, the last time I took you out for dinner, you weren’t a very polite guest.”

The memory hit me hard, and it hurt because I’d tucked all those memories away for a reason. To save myself. And his one statement brought it right to the forefront again.

“I’d eaten something bad,” I said reluctantly. “I didn’t mean to vomit everywhere. You shouldn’t have insisted on swinging me around by my wrists.”

I’d been nine, he’d been ten, and it had been about a year before everything had gone to shit in my life. We’d been running in his backyard while our parents had prepared dinner for their weekly get-together. Jaxson had set up a special little table for us back near the huge old oak tree, and it had been for…

“My birthday surprise,” I murmured, and he nodded. A snort of laughter escaped me. “One of us was surprised, at least.”

Jaxson actually laughed. “Honestly, here I was trying to make a grand gesture in the way only a dumbass prepubescent boy could, and you turned it upside down. Typical Sunny.”

Grand gesture.

Fuck him and his smooth words. Fuck him bringing this topic up, when he’d spent the years after that trying to destroy every part of who I was.

“Take me to Victor.”

He blinked at my abrupt change of tone and topic.

“I can’t guarantee your safety once I hand you over,” he said seriously.

I laughed. In his face. “Guarantee my safety? Dude, I’d take my chances with almost every other asshole in this pack if I didn’t have to see you again.”