Page 14 of Plus-Size Sold Mate
“It’s a warning,” Dawson corrects, looking so close to snapping despite everything. “And one you shouldn’t take lightly. She will destabilize you.”
Regardless of how confidently he tries to speak, I hear the slight hesitation in his words. It’s obvious enough to confirm there’s something he isn’t saying.
“If you’re concerned for my stability or the integrity of my pack, don’t be,” I say coolly, unflinching. “If I were you, I’d focus on the wolves still in Wraith Peak.”
Dawson sneers, held back by his rational thinking just enough to keep him in line, but he pulls away in concession. “This isn’t over.”
“No, it isn’t. If you return here unsanctioned, I will consider that a declaration.”
He studies me one last time, as if reassessing despite wanting to handle the situation now, then he pulls himself away and moves back toward the trees. Surprisingly, he doesn’t push or demand, but I recognize the tension winding his body up tight.
He’ll bide his time, and one way or another, he’ll be back. Which means whatever Sera is, or whatever she carries, is valuable enough to make him wait.
That very thought nags at me, sitting heavily as I head back to the house once I know Dawson really is gone. With Sera still asleep when I get back, I have enough time to debate my next move, wondering whether being direct with her will make things better or worse.
Before long, though, the soft padding of her feet against the hardwood floor carries into the kitchen as she approaches,and when she appears in the doorway, I catch myself staring a beat longer than necessary.
“How are you feeling?”
She keeps her eyes on me, hesitating like she’s considering whether she should run or stand her ground. The glare she gives me speaks for itself. “Tired.”
Straight to the point, then.
Pulling in a breath, reminding myself to be patient, I point to the coffee machine while I start gathering ingredients. “Help yourself. Since I’m sure you’re starving, I’ll make you something.”
More of her resistance lingers when she doesn’t move at first, then, with what appears to be great reluctance, Sera grabs herself one of the nearby mugs and fills it up before taking a seat on one of the stools by the island, sure to put as much space between us as physically possible.
When I have breakfast cooked and plated in front of her, Sera takes her time poking at the eggs before finally eating. To give her some breathing room, I opt to stand and dig into my own.
Satisfied when she’s mostly done, I finally let out the very thing that has been plaguing my mind ever since it happened.
“Dawson Voss was here.”
At once, she stops, nearly dropping her fork as she looks at me with wide eyes. The color drains from her face. “What?”
“He’s gone now, but he came by earlier.”
With a harsh swallow, she glances between the plate and me. “What did he want?”
I reach for my mug. “You.”
Sera’s jaw tightens like she expected to hear exactly that, but she does her best to keep her cool. “And?”
“I refused him.”
She studies me for a long, quiet moment, as if considering what strings might come with this arrangement, or how all of this could backfire for her. A hint of relief shows in her eyes, but likely only because I didn’t give her over.
“You won’t be completely safe until I know what’s happening, or what Dawson wants,” I tell her, arms crossing over my chest. “The more I understand this, the better.”
“You already know that I ran. I wanted to get away from Wraith Peak.”
While the words don’t seem completely dishonest, it’s not the whole truth either.
“We both know that wouldn’t be enough for him to come to Coldreach personally.”
Sera averts her gaze, giving away that there’s more to this than she’s letting on.
“Why are they chasing you?” I ask, stepping forward and placing a hand on the island countertop. When she doesn’t respond, I harden my gaze. “Sera.”
