Blessed By The Moon

Chapter 32

The envelope felt heavy in my grip, heavier than paper should ever be. My fingers clenched around it, crumpling the edges. I wasn't going to read it.

Whatever was inside, whatever manipulative words Nick had spun together, I didn't care. I already knew what it would say, pleas, explanations, mind games wrapped in empty justifications. That's what Storm did. He got inside your head with his words, made you second-guess what you knew to be true.

Not this time.

Axe watched me carefully, his jaw tight. "I can read it if you don't want to."

I shot him a glare, my grip tightening on the letter. "There's nothing of use in here to either of us. His actions speak louder than whatever excuses he wrote down. He went to our enemy. That's all I need to know."

From across the hall, Jenny leaned against the wall, arms crossed, one eyebrow raised. I didn't need to hear her thoughts to know what she was thinking. The prophecy. The choices that lead to death.

I cursed under my breath and turned on my heel. "I need time to think."

Before I could take a step, Axe grabbed my arm, his touch warm and grounding. His brown eyes searched mine, filled with something that looked too much like concern.

"Are you worried he's going to sway you?" he asked softly. "Or are you worried you'll feel something for him?"

I stiffened.

"I don't feel anything for him." The words came out sharp, precise. "Other than bloodlust."

Axe didn't let go. He studied my face like he was searching for cracks in my resolve. There were none. There couldn't be. Before either of us could say anything else, a low, painful moan drifted from the room next door.

Jordan.

It didn't take a genius to figure out the doctor was nursing his wounds. Stupid, reckless, unnecessary wounds from a battle he was never going to win. 

I sighed and pulled away from Axe, shoving the letter into my pocket.

"I should check on that idiot," I muttered, more to myself than anyone else.

Axe didn't say anything, but before I could step into the room, he grabbed me and kissed me, slow, deep, and possessive. His teeth grazed my bottom lip, a deliberate reminder to everyone watching exactly who I belonged to. It was the kind of kiss meant to rub salt in the wound. Only, Axe didn't realize Jordan wanted the sting, not of jealousy, of pain. He didn't know that Jordan had provoked him just to feel something.

Not that I was about to explain that. The kiss was too damn sweet.

Behind me, Jordan let out a strained chuckle. "Here to finish the job, Alpha?" He said it with that stupid smirk, like it was a joke instead of an actual title.

I crossed my arms, stepping fully into the room. "He's not. But if you keep being an idiot, I just might."

Jordan winced as he tried to sit up, one hand gingerly pressing against his ribs. "Relax, May. I was just stating a fact. Besides, Gem is the one on my mind any-"

I cut him off with a raised hand. "You don't mess with the moon. Gem is with her selected mate." My voice was sharp, decisive. "And I don't care if you want to self-inflict pain, but don't do it at my mate's expense." 

I did care, of course, he was still grieving although he wasn't going to show it, but this was not the way to deal with things, and from my own personal experience with Storm I know first hand what it feels like to have your mate be with someone else.