Alan
Loud pounding on the door startled me awake. My eyes popped open and I sighed. At least we had rested a little. Kattlyn tensed in my arms, and it made me angry. “It’s okay,” I tried to reassure her, but she jumped out of bed holding a sheet over her body, wide-eyed and frantic.
I threw the covers off and placed my hands on her shoulders, trying to calm her down. Her eyes shot to mine. “Kattlyn, it’s all right.”
When she realized where she was, she scoffed. “I guess it is time to face everyone.” She sighed. “Let me at least get dressed.” She headed to the bathing room and quietly closed the door.
The pounding continued. I slipped on a pair of dark shorts and yanked the door open. “Can I help you?”
Jakke stood in the entrance with an angry look on his face. “Where is she?”
I leaned one arm on the doorframe. “Where is who?”
He barged in, glanced around and then I heard him inhale deeply through his nose. A menacing growl tore from his lips.
Sydney came storming in behind him. “Jakke, leave them alone!”
He turned sharp eyes in her direction. “Stay out of this, Sydney.”
She pointed her finger at him. “Don’t you tell me to stay out of this.”
Exasperated, Jakke faced his mate. “We have talked about this. It is tradition and Kattlyn will be mated to Jussin.”
My face hardened when I heard Jussin’s name. Like hell she would.
“She doesn’t want to be mated to Jussin. Doesn’t that count for something?”
“No. Father wants the two families tied together and Kattlyn is the only one who can do that.”
“He just wants one grandchild that is pure Azziarin. Admit it!”
Jakke yanked open the bathing room door and found Kattlyn standing there holding a white sheet around her body. He snarled and then with disdain, he ordered, “Get dressed.”
Sydney peered around Jakke with an impish look and held out a bundle of clothes. “I brought you something to wear. Just in case.”
“Thanks.” Kattlyn took the bundle from Sydney’s arms and quietly closed the door.
I stood with my arms folded across my chest, a statue against the wall trying to figure out my best recourse.
Jakke kept shooting me furious glances. Sydney avoided eye contact. When the bathing room door swung open, Kattlyn stepped out wearing a simple red sundress. She looked so beautiful. Her eyes immediately sought mine, and I could see a little fear reflecting back. Oh, hell no! I stalked over, placing my body between her and her brother. There would be no doubt whom she belonged with.
“Move,” Jakke ordered, but I refused to budge. It was a standoff, and when Jakke took a menacing step forward, I widened my feet and dropped my arms. Waiting. If Jakke rushed me, I’d be ready.
“What’s going on?” Krista asked as she pushed her way inside, stepping around Sydney, Kollin right behind her. Did that guy ever give my sister a moment’s privacy?
One look at the fierce standoff and Krista tensed and then walked over and stood beside me, facing Jakke. She folded her arms across her chest.
“Krista,” Kollin warned as his hand circled her upper arm, but she jerked it away.
“I don’t know what’s going on here, but I will always take my brother’s side.” I knew she would, but the last thing I wanted was to cause problems between her and Kollin, and I really didn’t want her or the baby to get hurt. Kollin looked pained and uncertain.
I looked down at my slip of a sister. She had a fierce determined look on her face and I wanted to grin. “It’s okay, sis. I can handle it myself.” Krista wavered slightly and then allowed Kollin to pull her out of the middle and into his protective arms.
Takkeo stepped inside the door. With all these people, my room looked tiny. With a lopsided grin, he strolled over and placed himself in front of me, facing Jakke, and folded his arms across his chest.
“Takkeo, move,” Jakke ordered.
Takkeo cocked his head to the side. I didn’t know what Takkeo had planned, but he didn’t seem to be worrying about Jakke too much.
“Have you forgot so soon, brother?”
“Forgot what?”
“How you couldn’t stay away because of the pull. How you wanted to kill anyone who hurt Sydney.”
Jakke remained quiet, his lips set in a grim line. Takkeo looked over his shoulder and shot me a knowing grin before addressing his brother again. Staring at Jakke, he spoke to Sydney.
“How about you and I go somewhere together? Somewhere private. It’s been a long time since we’ve caught up.”
“But what about Alan?”
Takkeo grinned wickedly at Jakke then said, “He’ll be fine. I just watched him take on three Azziarins by himself and kill one of them. I’m pretty sure he was the leader of the outlanders.”
“Okay, then.”
Takkeo stepped around Jakke and held his arm out for Sydney. With a grin, she wrapped her delicate hand around Takkeo’s bicep.
Jakke growled when they headed out. “Sydney.”
The two of them ignored him as they strolled out all nonchalant.
Jakke blew out a long, frustrated breath. I wanted to do the same, but I still stood poised and ready for anything. One thing I knew for sure? They would not take Kattlyn against her will.
“You killed Lottia?”
“He had a knife at Kattlyn’s throat so I won’t apologize.”
“Nor should you.” He took a step back and relaxed his arms. “Look, I understand what you two are going through. I really do”—Jakke stared over my shoulder at Kattlyn— “but running away never solves anything.”
Kattlyn tried to step around me, but I kept her slightly behind. I didn’t want to give Jakke the chance to snatch her away.
“I have tried but Father won’t listen.”
“I will go with you and lend my support. Maybe that will sway him. If he still insists, I will help you.”
“She’s not going anywhere without me.”
Kattlyn turned and rested a hand on my chest. “Let me go with Jakke and talk with Father.”
“But—”
“It’s better if I go alone. You need to see Rikker and let him heal your face.”
I encased her hand with mine. “Are you sure?”
“I am.” She smiled. “Promise. See you soon?”
I nodded and pulled her in for a hug, making sure she couldn’t see the intense warning I shot Jakke with my eyes. If anything happened to Kattlyn, there would be hell to pay.
For the first time, I saw respect on Jakke’s face as he nodded. Good.
Kissing the side of Kattlyn’s temple, I released her. “I’ll see you soon.”