The Wild in the Earth Child

Chapter Thirty-Three

Aiyana

Drake had been gone for a few hours and had only just gotten back. I was in bed naked after washing up and when he walked in he was still damp from a shower with a fresh cut across his chiseled cheekbone. When I'd asked him about it he had just said that it was from a friendly spar and he'd showered in the gym before coming back to our room.

I didn't have time to analyze it before there was a brisk knock at the door. I looked at the clock. After midnight? It must be important.

My heart started to race as Drake opened the door to find Grady standing there. They spoke in hushed voices but thanks to my wolf hearing I could still make out their words.

"We have all of them locked up and I have Garrett up first as you asked."

Garrett! I quickly scrambled from the bed wrapping the sheet around me. Drake turned to look at me as I approached them, then turned back to Grady. "I'll meet you in the office," he said to him before closing the door.

I stood in the middle of our bedroom, shaking, as he walked to me.

"Garrett is here? Why? What happened?"

His jaw was tight, clearly upset.

"Grady and I set a trap for Asher using a diversion, knowing he'd come after Forrest. We captured some of their team. Garrett was leading the assault."

"No," I said vehemently. "Garrett wouldn't do that. It's a mistake. I need to talk to him-"

"No!" He roared, cutting me off. "You're not going anywhere near him. I'll deal with him"

I took a step back, surprised by his outburst. Then I took a few forward, challenging him. Pissed.

"And why the hell not?"

"Because he just tried to kidnap your friends to lure you to your fucking death. That's why." He challenged back.

"You don't know that. If you let me speak to him I'm sure he can explain what's going on-"

"Are you fucking serious? What kind of excuse is there for something like that? What do you think he's going to explain? How fucking naive can you be?!"

My blood started to boil. How fucking dare he?!

"I'm not naive. I know him, Drake. He wouldn't do something like this. He wouldn't betray me."

"Oh, you know him? Better than I know him, my own cousin?"

"Just let me t-"

"No, goddammit! You're not going to go anywhere near him. That's a fucking order Aiyana. Don't fucking test me."

"Or what? You'll lock me up, too? Well too fucking late for that!" I knew it was a low blow but I was outraged. He may be my alpha but he's my mate too and he should at least hear me out. Plus he just lied to my face. A friendly spar my ass.

He narrowed his eyes at me but I kept going before he could say anything else.

"Please, just trust me, Drake. You can come with me and we'll talk to him together and -"

He interrupted me again, "This is not a negotiation. I said it's not going to happen and that's the fucking end of it." He turned to leave the room but I quickly grabbed his arm.

"No! I'm not stupid Drake. I know what you're going to do to him and I'm not going to let you hurt him. Please just listen to me." A desperate rage was building inside of me. I could feel my control slipping, already my nails had elongated into long claws.

He whirled on me and my hackles raised further. "You're still protecting him?!? After what he just did?!? I guess maybe I should betray you too and then maybe I'd finally get some goddamn loyalty out of you!"