Page 44 of The Packaged Deal
“Dark brown. But that was two. Why don’t you get on a bus and find somewhere far away?”
I glare at the nape of his neck. “Because this is my home, and I won’t be chased away. Not by a bully, not by my family, and certainly not by you.”
Sven pauses but doesn’t turn around. “Interesting.”
“What is?”
“You’re this victim, bruised and broken, but that’s not who you are at all. You have a fire to succeed, to keep what’s yours. I find it fascinating.”
“I’m not sure it’s a compliment coming from you.”
“Oh, don’t mistake me, it’s not,” Sven says with a grin over his shoulder. “I think you’re foolish, pushing this need to stay in a city with people who want to hurt you, who dislike you. Pushing for a pack that doesn’t exist.”
I flinch but straighten my shoulders. “I’m not scared, Alpha. It will be worth it when I’m wearing your bond.”
He turns so suddenly that I’m almost tripping as I step back. He catches me in three steps, gripping my upper arms tight. “You should be scared of me. Terrified.” He’s growling, but the scent in the air, it’s so strong, it’s rich, it’s intense.
Intoxicating.
“And yet, I know you won’t hurt me.”
“How do you know that?” Sven growls, his tone sending shivers up my spine.
“For the same reason,I know you’re my alpha. My heart tells me it’s true. You’ll give into me, Alpha. Of that I can promise you. You will be mine.”
“You sound insane,” Sven hisses.
“Perhaps I am, but you’re still going to be mine, Alpha.” My purr comes out challenging, and I can’t hide the grin that stretches across my face.
“You really are a fox,” he whispers. There’s a delightful mix of awe and horror in his voice.
I tilt my head to the side and bite the inside of my cheek. “No, I’m just an omega who knows what she wants.” I lift my arms as much as I can and rest them on his stomach, ignoring the way his fingers flex around my upper arms. “I want you.”
He visibly shudders, his eyes closing for a moment before he recollects himself. “I’m not going to fall for your manipulations.”
“I’m not going to manipulate you, Sven. I’m going to stay right here with your alpha and your beta, and they’re going to be mine, and when you can’t resist the three of us, you’ll be mine, too.”
“You’re fucking crazy.”
“For you,” I coo at him, and then laugh. “You should see the look on your face!”
He throws me away from him, and I’m caught in another pair of muscular arms.
“What are you doing here, Addy? Checking up on me?” Sven grumbles.
“Just making sure,” Adrian says. “Come on, Jade.”
Everything in me wants to protest. Sven belongs with us, and despite my teasing, I can see the pain in his eyes, the torment. Something is wrong with him. There’s a reason, but we won’t know unless we push.
“Come with us, Sven.”
He snorts hard. “I don’t think so.”
With one last long glare at Adrian and me, he turns on his heel and disappears.
Adrian sighs heavily and turns me back towards the house. “Inside.”
“Ya know, as much as I love the cave dweller look on you. I think it’s only fair that we establish some boundaries and courtesies before we enter this relationship. Take you, for example. I can see you like to issue polite suggestions in a growly and rude manner. What you really mean is ‘come inside, sweet omega, where it’s safe. I was worried about you’.” I peer over my shoulder at the big alpha. “I’m right, aren’t I?”