Chapter 41

Adrian saw me sway and put a strong hand behind me.

“You’re exhausted,” he said firmly. “I’ll escort you to your room.”

“But I need to—“ I started, but I swayed again.

He picked me up.

“What on earth are you doing?” I shrieked. I could already hear the whispers behind us as he whisked me to the door. Maya and Hunter arriving together was going to seem like small news after people saw the future Alpha King carrying me to the door.

“It didn’t seem like you were going to listen to me,” he said calmly. “I didn’t think we needed any more injuries tonight.”

I squirmed, but he held me firmly. I couldn’t believe this. First the dress, then being covered in blood, and now picked up and carried from the room.

But in a way, it felt good. Being taken care of was so novel.

My grandmother’s words about being with someone who actually loved me popped fleetingly into and out of my head.

We neared the door, and nearly reached it before Hunter strode up to us.

All the other whispering dulled in my ears.

“What on earth are you doing?” Hunter growled at Adrian. I was a little annoyed that he’d said exactly the same thing I had.

My stomach jolted as Adrian swung me down from his arms and deposited me on a bench beside the door, quickly but gently. I blinked, surprised he’d moved so fast.

I watched as he rounded on Hunter. He stood tall, clenching his fists and stopping only a couple of inches from Hunter’s face.

“Wha—” Hunter started. He was a few inches taller than Adrian, but he looked smaller right now. Adrian’s fury was giving him extra stature.

“How can you treat your wife this way?” Adrian said in a harsh whisper.

“Keep your voice down,” Hunter shot back, glancing around him.

“No one’s here. So few people know the truth. But I’m tired of watching what you’re doing to her. If you have a new fated mate, just let Kara go. She can’t go on like this.”

“You have no idea what’s between me and Maya. Or what’s between me and Kara.”

“I know you’re using her. I know that she’s running herself ragged for the pack and for you, and that she doesn’t get any thanks.”

“You weren’t so high and mighty when you were rejecting her yourself, years ago. I seem to remember that you weren’t quite so attentive to her feelings then.”

I noticed a flare of red at the base of Adrian’s neck. He didn’t speak. I was surprised to see him embarrassed at that.

He hadn’t seemed at all ashamed to reject me at the time, all those years ago.

But now, I couldn’t believe he was defending me like this. In public. With all he had on the line—about to ascend to being the Alpha King.

“That’s as may be,” he finally replied, “I have my own regrets, but I’m not going to watch you treat her this way.”

“What are you going to do about it?”

“I’d watch yourself with the seat on the Alpha Council you finally got. That could probably be lost about as easily as it was gained.”

Hunter fumed, cheeks reddening.

“You—”

“I wouldn’t finish that sentence if I were you,” Adrian replied, looking smug.

I felt a little guilty that I was enjoying this.

But after all the heartbreak, and feeling like I was worthless, and my changing body and appearance, it felt good to be wanted. Good to feel—just for a moment—that they were fighting over me.

Hunter wasn’t actually going to fight for me, though. He had Maya.

“Seriously,” Adrian said, more softly. “She saved someone’s life earlier. She’s still covered in blood. She almost fainted just then. And all you seem to be thinking about is whether your new girlfriend’s having a good time at a party.”

Hunter froze. I waited for his retort, but it didn’t come.

His gaze flicked over to me. There was so much in his expression. There was anger, but I wasn’t sure if it was for Adrian or me. Maybe even some of it for himself.

There was concern, and lust, and fear. I had no idea where it was all directed, or if it was real. I’d known him so well not long ago. Or at least I thought I had.

Now, I had no idea what he was thinking.

“You’re acting like it was a love match,” Hunter finally said. “Our relationship has always been transactional, and I’ve always held up my end of the bargain. She gets the money she needs. What else is there?”

I couldn’t breathe, hearing him say that. Knowing I was in earshot. Could he really believe that? Or did he truly not care how much he hurt me? I wasn’t sure which was worse.

I stood, wobbling a little. I couldn’t sit here and listen to this any longer.

I lurched as I walked toward the door.

I squeezed my eyes shut, and strong hands once again caught me.

I wasn’t sure which ones I wished they were.

Hunter’s POV

I watched Adrian lunge and catch her. Maybe it should have been me.

I knew she was my wife. Knew I owed her something.

But that’s not what this was. Never had been.

But I was missing something.

I had to be.

I sat down on the bench Kara had just left. It was still warm from her. I put my head in my hands, and breathed.

I couldn’t believe Adrian had confronted me like that. I’d never seen him so animated in all the time we’d known each other.

I was furious, jealous, confused. But in a way also proud of my cousin.

I’d always thought he needed to be more assertive. His withdrawn, compassionate nature had always annoyed me.

But I was still furious that he’d talked to me that way. And furious that he’d threatened the removal of the council seat that I’d finally earned. I’d deserved it years earlier.

But Adrian wasn’t really what I was worried about.

I glanced across the room. Maya was huddled at the banquet table where I’d left her, looking down into her glass of champagne. She was floundering in the spotlight, especially after knocking over the champagne tower.

She needed me.

But I’d noticed how exhausted and ill Kara had looked as well. I wasn’t an idiot.

It was still such a strange feeling, wanting to protect both of them. It hadn’t been long that I had a fated mate to protect. And Kara had never needed it.

Now I was being pulled in two directions at once.

I stood, making a decision.

I approached Maya, who looked up at me with relief.

“Hi,” she said softly. “What now?”

“I’m sorry,” I replied, swallowing heavily. “I have to go. If I order you a car, can you manage here by yourself until it comes for you?”

Her eyes glimmered with tears, but she nodded.

I froze when I reached Kara’s hotel room and stood outside her door.

There were voices inside.

Adrian was still here.