The Beta's Missing Mate (Book 16 Of The Regal Eclipse Pack Series)

Chapter 35

Ana couldn't believe she'd been stupid enough to pull her gun on Malachi Remington. She could kick herself for doing so. All of her training had just gone straight out the window. Her boss would kick her ass if he'd seen what she'd done, and probably not let her out in the field for a year. She'd reacted badly at getting the confirmation that her father was dead. At least she hadn't shot him. But she'd definitely pissed him off. 

She hadn't expected Malachi to be able to move that fast either, though she honestly wasn't sure if he really did, or it had just been her imagination. Her head had been spinning there for a moment while shock settled in, and the next thing she knew, she was being pushed up against the wall, and his hand was around her throat, the other gripping the wrist of the hand that held her gun. He was fast, and much too close for her liking. She could feel the heat radiating off his body. He made her feel tiny, sort of like Aidan did. Though not in a pleasant way.

Why did everything have to come back to Aidan? If she got a quarter for every time that man crossed her mind throughout the day, she could happily retire. Here she was, in a life or death situation, thinking of a man she'd had a one night stand with five months ago. Aidan had settled into her thoughts and seemed to have no intention whatsoever of leaving. The longer she was away from him, the more she thought about him, and the more she missed him. 

But Malachi Remington really hadn't really hurt her. He could have, she realized. He could have very easily killed her, but he didn't. Even if he wasn't a werewolf, he'd still been holding her life in his hand. All he had to do was squeeze his hand, and he'd cut off her air. Judging by his biceps, he could probably very easily break her neck if he so desired. She remained as calm as she could, but her heart was racing as she awaited her fate at the hands of this man. 

And then Xavier had appeared. She'd stared at his ID enough that she'd recognized him immediately, but she hadn't been prepared for how big he was. If it wasn't for the fact that he was injured, there was no way her father would have overpowered him. 

He seemed completely unperturbed that Malachi had his hand wrapped around her throat, and she wondered how in the world he'd even known she was here, and not bothered by her interaction with his .. well, however they were related. They looked close in age. Maybe cousins, or something. 

She watched Xavier take her gun, and empty out the bullets. He knew immediately that they were silver, which she found rather interesting, but they didn't affect him at all. She was annoyed with herself for spending a small fortune on the damn things. What a waste. Though it made her wonder, because they had commented on them. She was pretty certain now that they were both werewolves. 

Then to her shock, she suddenly realized that the man who had starred in her every dream and fantasy for the last five months was in the room with them. She'd forgotten how big he was, and how absolutely beautiful. She knew he was both of those things, but seeing it in person after so long was even better. Her body reacted to him too, reminding her of how drawn she was to him, and how much she desired him.

But then a thought occurred to her. If Aidan was here with these men, he was probably a werewolf. She'd had sex with a werewolf, let him pleasure her beyond anything she'd ever experienced before. But even when she'd asked him, he hadn't answered her. And he didn't seem to care that Malachi had her by the throat. 

She realized at that moment how little he cared about her. She was suddenly glad she hadn't stuck around after their one night stand. But it still hurt, watching him stand there and not doing a thing for her. She'd thought she'd been safe with him. Apparently not. Or maybe he didn't even remember her. Maybe she was just one woman among many. That hurt even worse. But it would be another explanation for why he hadn't come to her aid.

They'd been quiet for a few moments, none of them saying a thing until she spoke up. Ana bit her lip as she listened to them talk about her, though she could barely peel her eyes off of Aidan. It annoyed her that he didn't seem to care, and she cared way too much.  

Malachi had seemed thoroughly pissed about her presence. He was unperturbed that she was a cop, and more inclined to kill her than anything else. He scared the shit out of her. 

Xavier seemed like the safer option of the two men, and he just stood there staring at her, his muscled tatted arms crossed over his chest listening to her explain herself. She'd seen his face harden and they'd all grown quiet again. It was almost like they were talking to each other even though they weren't. Or at least she didn't think they were. 

But Xavier seemed to accept her explanation and moved back from her. He was a bit more relaxed now than he had been a few moments ago. She'd started to wonder if he might kill her as well, but he still had his arms crossed and never touched her. 

She'd try to convince them that she wouldn't tell anyone about them, which she knew was stupid. They didn't know her; why would they believe her? She wouldn't believe her. And then the conversation had turned to Aidan, and the fact that he knew her. She didn't want him telling them how they knew each other. If he even remembered. 

"She was just a one night stand, I think. A girl I fucked five months ago while I was in Missouri," Aidan said, glaring at her. "Wasn't all that memorable."

That hurt. A lot. Here she'd spent the last five months fantasizing about him, and having him invade her dreams, and he didn't even think she was all that memorable? She was surprised he even remembered her. Or maybe he didn't. Maybe he was lying about it. But either way, it still hurt. She desperately wanted out of there now. She needed to be alone. 

"Well, she'd your problem now. You can decide if she lives or dies."

"What?" Her gaze immediately snapped to Malachi again as he let her go and stepped back from her. He couldn't be serious, could he? He couldn't really make her disappear. She knew it was possible, but how could some werewolf make her completely disappear? And now it was up to a man who didn't give a shit about her whether she lived or died? 

Malachi left the room, leaving her alone with Xavier and Aidan. Xavier moved further back from her, while Aidan took Malachi's place, though he didn't touch her. Ana stared up at him, at how beautiful he was. She hated now that her body was reacting to him, that her body wanted him. All he had to do was tell her he wanted her and she'd let him fuck her. She couldn't help herself. She'd let him destroy her. 

"Hello Ana."

She absolutely loved his voice. It was deep and smooth and turned her on, but she couldn't focus on that right now. Not when her life was hanging in the balance, by a man who ... actually remembered her nickname. He hadn't forgotten about her. Not completely at least. "Aidan? What's going on?"

"Well, as of right now, you're my prisoner."

Prisoner? Was he kidding? What the heck had she gotten herself into, coming here? She felt like she'd just randomly stopped at the head of the mafia's house and now she was stuck. These men seemed like they had no qualms about killing her. Was this why her father was dead? What had he gotten himself into? 

Aidan leaned over to within inches of her face. She breathed him in, her body so blatantly aware of him, tingling in anticipation of his touch. She was so turned on now, which was completely inappropriate. She knew her adrenaline was still high, and her body desperately wanted this man. Enough to the point, she'd let him fuck her right here in front of Xavier if he wanted. 

"Vest off," Aidan muttered, and took a step back from her, giving her some space.