Chapter 22 Everyone stood there in silence for several moments, watching him go. Riley felt a sudden sharp pain in her chest and an overwhelming urge to cry. She turned so her back was towards the men, taking a deep breath, trying to get her emotions under control. "What just happened?" Max asked from behind her. "Alpha is mad," Patrick replied with a heavy sigh. "Thanks captain obvious," Max muttered. "I think we all figured that one out." She heard him sigh. "I'm going to shower." Leo walked up beside Riley. "Are you ok?" She nodded, biting her lip. "You know you can tell me, right?" "I know, Leo." Her voice cracked on his name. She closed her eyes. "Thanks though." He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and squeezed her gently. "I'm going to get cleaned up," he whispered, "but if you need anything, just come find me, ok?" She smiled weakly at him. "Thanks, Leo." He let go and headed towards the pack house. She turned to see Patrick still standing a step away from her. "I'm sorry." He shook his head. "I shouldn't have gotten involved." She sighed. "No, you were right. Fighting him would have been stupid with how sick I've been. I just feel awful for putting you in a bad position." She rubbed her aching chest. "Don't feel bad." He smiled wanly. "Kent will get over it. He always does." She nodded, wincing at the sudden pain that split her head. "You're feeling ill again," Patrick said, more a statement than a question. "It just comes and goes so quickly sometimes," she muttered. "It makes no sense." "I'll walk you back to the pack house." Patrick wrapped a hand around her elbow. "I'll go see Lana after I take a shower. You should just rest until she can get over to you." Riley nodded, allowing Patrick to lead her back to the packhouse. She felt more and more tired with each step. Once they were at the elevator she tried to shake him off, but he insisted. "You don't look well at all." He punched the call button. "I'll take you all the way up. Just to be sure." Riley wanted to argue, but she was too tired to fight him. She leaned against the wall of the elevator, closing her eyes until the doors slid open on the fifth floor. She followed Patrick out of the elevator only to find Kent, still shirtless, standing right outside his office. Riley suddenly felt her exhaustion flee as she felt Kent's rage through the mate bond. Kent's eyes turned black as he looked at them. "What the f**k is this?" Patrick sighed, suddenly looking very tired. "It's nothing. I was just making sure she got to her room." 1/2 < Chapter 22 "Why do you think she can't get to her room without your help?" he snarled. "Oh for f**k's sake!" Patrick yelled. "I was just trying to be nice. What the hell is your problem?" +15 Pont "My problem is that you seem to have taken an undue interest in my mate!" Kent roared, taking a step closer to Patrick, his fists clenched at his side. "I'm just trying to do my job and help someone out," Patrick yelled back, taking a step closer to Kent. "I don't know what the hell your problem is or why you think it's ok to suggest I would be interested in anyone other than my own mate. But maybe if you weren't acting like such a f*****g macho asshole, your mate would actually talk to you." "Stop!" Riley gasped. "You stay the f**k away from her!" Kent shoved Patrick, slamming him into the wall. Patrick's eyes turned black as he started to move towards Kent. "STOP!" Riley yelled, jumping in between them, placing a hand on each of their chests. She felt tingles run through her arm as Kent shoved against her, but Patrick backed up immediately. "Go to hell, Kent," Patrick spat before turning on his heel, heading to the stairwell. Once Patrick was gone, Riley dropped her hand and rounded on Kent. "What the hell is your problem?" "I don't like you spending time with him," he said, his voice low, his eyes still black. "Your gamma has done nothing but be nice and you act like a complete asshole. He did nothing wrong. He's done nothing but spend the afternoon telling me how great you are and then you act like a f*****g feral wolf." Kent froze, his face reddening. "I don't want you spending time alone with him anymore." Riley rolled her eyes. "Get over yourself, Alpha. I'm not part of your pack and I don't follow your orders." "You. Are. My. Mate." he gritted out. "Newsflash," she yelled, "I haven't accepted this bond and with the way you are acting, I'm not sure I want to. I only came here to do my job." Kent stared at her for a moment, his jaw tight, his eyes glittering darkly. "Do your job then and leave me the hell alone. I never asked for this." With that he turned into his office and slammed the door. 3 Comments Get Bonus (Ad) > Vote 516 212