Three Fated Hearts by LNC novel Chapter 60

~Landon~

Tia left a while ago to sit with her mom. While her mom staying here isn’t an issue, Lincoln and I are aware that there is something going on that Tia hasn’t told us. I don’t want to pry, and I’m sure Tia will tell us everything when she’s ready. I just want to make sure we are prepared for the consequences of her mom staying with us.

Lincoln left a bit ago to speak to some of the warriors while I’m toiling away in the office. Anyone who thinks being Alpha is all glitz and glamour has no idea what this job really entails. It takes a lot to make sure those around you are safe and healthy. My pack members will be relying on my brother and me to take care of all of their needs. That is a tall order, and it’s an extremely important job to have.

The door slams open with a loud bang. I look up to see a furious Stuart in the doorway. He must have been training because there is sweat all over his face, and his shirt is sticking to his body. He has his legs spread, and his hands are fisted at his side. He is breathing heavily, his chest moving up and down.

I slowly stand from my chair, my hands fisting at my sides. How dare he barge into my office as if he owns the place. I should rip his head off from his body. I stare Stuart in the eye, and we stand there, sizing each other up. “Where is she?” Stuart is using a low, guttural voice. If I were anyone else, I might be a bit intimidated or even scared. I’m a f**king Alpha; Stuart hasn’t got s**t on me, head warrior or not. “You hear me, boy? WHERE IS MY MATE?!”

I slowly start to stalk over to where Stuart is standing. I make it a point to show my size by walking tall. I’m some inches taller than Stuart, and I make sure to look down on him when I get in front of him. “Who the f**k do you think you’re talking to?” Stuart scoffs.

“I’m talking to you! You haven’t taken your vow yet; you aren’t the Alpha.” I shake my head. It doesn’t matter whether I’m official or not, to be honest.”

“You had better watch yourself. I’m soon to be Alpha and command the same respect as a sitting Alpha. I’d hate to have to take out my own head warrior because he lost his f**king mind.” Stuart takes a step toward me.

“I want my mate back now! She doesn’t need to be anywhere but with me, in my house.” I say nothing; I just watch Stuart. I expect him to start swinging at some point, and I want to be ready when he does. He may be the head warrior, but he isn’t unstoppable. “Just what did Portia say to get you to take her in?” He says his daughter’s name as if it’s the most disgusting thing that could cross his lips.

“She said she needed somewhere to stay.”

“She has somewhere to stay…..with me.” I roll my eyes. Stuart continues to take small toward me, expecting to get me to move back. I’m standing my ground regardless of the tough eyes he keeps giving me. I wish I could just slap him right now, but anything between us would have to happen by his hand, not mine.

Before I could get a response out, I hear humming down the hallway. I don’t bother to look and see who it is. I can smell her scent as clearly as I can smell my own. She gets right next to us, looking between both of us. Neither of us breaks eye contact to greet her. “What’s going on here?” Neither of us answers her, too busy trying to tear the other down with their stare. “What are you doing here, Stuart?”

“I came to get my mate back, Luna Kimberly.”

~Stuart~

Her scent is driving me wild; honeysuckle and vanilla. Why is it so strong? Why am I having a hard time focusing on this weak b***h in front of me? I can feel my wolf stirring in me, but I refuse to give in. I look down briefly, and the issue immediately becomes apparent. I left my watch in my office. I hate to train in my watch, and she never comes to training.