Chapter 16
sixteen
RHYS
If there’s one thing I thought I understood, it was the depths of my hatred.
But this? Now?
Staring across our corner of the dining table, I realize the loathing I feel for Briar is a whole new beast.
It’s so big, I can’t even see the edges of it anymore. Can’t measure or pace it out. Is it mine? My Alpha’s? I don’t fucking know. I just know I’ve never felt such vehemence about anyone.
Except maybe my parents.
And whoever tried to kill me in that fire.
I know it doesn’t make sense for Briar to be on that level, but I can’t explain the fury that roars in my blood every time I see her. My Alpha wants his mate, damn it. That’s the only thing he’s ever cared about. Now, not only is this omega here, reminding us of everything we don’t have…
But she’s fucking gorgeous.
So smart.
And she keeps stealing my books, goddamn it.
Not to mention looking for ways to piss me off. Like making me dribble wine down my chin with her little “announcement.”
What will I do if she picks me? I wonder, glaring at her self-congratulatory smirk.
After fighting about it all week, I told Cillian I would play this little game. Breed his wife, get our heir so we can end this feud with Gideon’s pack as soon as possible.
I thought I was finally resigned to it. Our company is hanging in the balance; the stakes are a hell of a lot more important than whatever feelings I have.
But, fuck me. I have no idea how I’ll be able to convince my feral Alpha to breed her.
All the women I’ve slept with over the years have been a battle. He wanted to tear them to shreds, punish them for daring to touch what rightfully belonged to his mate. I usually had to talk him into keeping his violent urges to himself.
Now, though? I don’t know where to fucking start.
That fire—losing my ability to scent omegas and recognize a mate—pushed him off the deep end. The headaches that stem from fighting him usually incapacitate both of us, but ever since Briar arrived, I’ve had to wrestle him off the edge of a rampage every day.
He might not even let me put my dick inside her.
You know, if I wanted to.
Which I don’t.
Because she’s obviously an uppity bitch who thinks she has a golden snatch. I don’t care how much she resembles my type. Or how much fun it would be to fuck her into submission.
She’s only getting my cock because I have to give it to her.
The wordless animal crouched in my core snarls, his tone accusatory. If he could still speak to me, I think he’d be calling my ass out. Something like, Then why do you feel so smug about her possibly choosing you first? Do you want her to?
I deny it, but there’s no way to ignore the sick swirl of excitement fogging my logic. I shake my head internally, explaining, It doesn’t matter. Cillian, Dane, and I agreed we would do this.
So I’m at this little omega’s mercy.
Which might just be the most valid reason for how much I despise her.