Moon Bound

(26) Ring Any Bells? |Regan's POV|

The beast roared. The need to put her in her place rallied.

Six months ago, I wouldn't have thought twice before acting on instinct but now I had to stop and think. Hating me was like breathing for her – something that came as natural as being an alpha did for me. Demanding her respect was only going to make her hate me more than she already did.

I had to be smart with her. I had to play by the rules for once in my life.

The beast didn't like that idea. At all.

Patience, Alpha. The voice had me nearly jumping off my seat. I glanced up at him.

What were the odds that he could initiate a mental link between us?

A gift I was born with, or did you already forget? His voice came with such ease into my mind that it had me thinking it cost him no effort at all. He shouldn't have been able to do that in the first place. However, there was one person I knew of who could initiate a mental link without the need of physical intervention.

Could he be the same person I remembered?

"That's no way to treat a guest, Scar. Remember what I told you!" Cole interjected out loud, turning to her when to me he said, Does the name Cole Winters ring any bells for you?

My blood ran cold. I should have recognized him immediately but it was now that I could finally see the striking resemblance this man had with the little boy I knew once.

However, he was not that little boy but a full-grown man, his features, even similar to what they'd once been, fully bloomed into what they were meant to be. Only his eyes were the same.

Filled to the brim with darkness and resolve. They were the eyes of someone who, just like me, was raised to be a monster – a leader, born and bred into a fur that demanded submission from those around him.

"A guest is someone you invite into your home and last time I checked no one invited him." Scarlet pointed at me.

Turning toward her, I didn't find a trace of knowledge. She either didn't know who her friend was or what he could do or she just didn't care. She looked so unsuspecting, I was betting on the former.

Does Michael know?

What do you think, Regan? Cole said silently. "Be nice, Scar." Aloud.

She arched a brow at him. "At least, be civil then," he told her then sent out, Fifteen minutes, Alpha. This is what you have with her. I'll let you know when your time's up.

I gave him a questioning look. Why would there be a time limit?

My turf, my rules, Regan, he elaborated. Besides, I believe you should have a meeting scheduled for later.

I had to think for a moment before it came to me. The note. He was talking about the note I found stuck on my car.

How do you know that, Cole? I growled into the mind-link the other man had created just so we could have our little chat. Eyes engaged in a silent stare-down, he was the first to avert his.

"If I must," Scarlet muttered and smirked at him. "Now, be a darling and bring me a glass of juice, Cole."

I just know.

"If I must," he said aloud, mimicking her, then turned to me. "Alpha Greene?" he prompted.

I just looked at him. I didn't know how he did it. He was probably used to this, but it was hard for me to keep a track on both conversations.