Page 17 of Opposites Attract
“Yup.” Tim, Shirley’s brother-in-law and a mean old bastard, leaned back in his chair. His gaze passed over Fallon. “Might be she could use some help in the kitchen.”
“If you have–”
“Don’t,”Fallon demanded in my mind. Her upper lip curled into a snarl.
“Is something wrong with your hands?” she asked Tim.
He looked at his palms in confusion. “No.”
“Then why aren’t you in the kitchen if she needs help?” Fallon continued to stare at him with those angry eyes that would make any sane male’s dick shrivel. Something must’ve been wrong with me, because I felt mine twitch in response.
Tim’s face blotched red, even as he tried to laugh it off with the other two elder males at the table. Andrew and Patrick sat on either side of him, representing the two other communities who’d traveled in from the woods for the festival today. They were considered the council. But I didn’t consult with them for… much of anything.
“Is that how they do it over in Seattle?” Tim stressed the syllables of the city like some redneck despite having lived down south half his life. “Do your Alphas stand kitchen duty too?”
“My brother can whip up a mean bouillabaisse.” Fallon smirked. “I’ll get you his recipe sometime.”
“Ain’t right,” Tim muttered, glancing over at Andrew, who bobbed his silver head.
“What isn’t right?” I challenged, hoping he’d speak out of line. After the drama with him, his wife Reba, and their daughter Colleen when I’d taken over as Alpha of the O’Neil clan, my wolf had been itching to see Tim stand and fight.
“You need to back down on this,”Fallon said, not taking her eyes from the men at the table.
She’s crazy if she thinks we’ll let them treat her this way.
“You know how things are.” Patrick sighed as he folded his meaty arms over his chest. “And while I’m not saying it’s right, it just is.”
The men looked to each other and then to Fallon. I felt her heart fluttering even as she continued to stare them down. Bryant turned his face to the ceiling, no doubt praying for patience, as my beast started pacing within.
“I think you’ve forgotten this isn’t the old days, and it slipped your mind who is leading this pack,” I said.
“My memory is fine.” Andrew nodded. The old wolf was one hard winter from death’s door.
“It sure is.” Tim patted Andrew on the back. “Remember when females knew their place?”
Fallon bared her fangs and growled.
“Enough.” I slammed my hands down on the table. “Fallon is your Luna and she will be shown respect.”
My mate’s frustration pulsed through my veins as she kicked her chair back and stood. “I can’t say it was nice meeting you.” She nodded to the old men, refusing to look at me as her gaze went to Bryant. “You’re not too bad.”
“See ya’ around.” Bryant chuckled, shaking Fallon’s hand before she withdrew it.
Her black-clad hips sashayed out the doorway.
“What was that about?”I called after her.
Fallon mentally slammed a barrier up.
Is she mad at us?My wolf asked in disbelief as the old men in the room sat watching my mate walk away.
“You have something else you want to say, Tim?” I turned my anger toward the bastard.
“No, Alpha.” He bared his neck in respect. “Not since that’s taken care of.”
I tightened my fist. “What’s taken care of?”
He motioned with his eyes to the door. “She doesn’t belong here.”