Page 65 of Traded

I can’t look at any of them. “Isn’t that what a healthy pack does? Nobody gets left behind?”

“Ro.” Carter’s voice cracks. I jump off the island and back away, putting it between us when he tries to get closer. I can see his face cracking, see the pain, but I can’t take any of his when I’m fucking overflowing with it. “Please come here, baby.”

“I’m going to bed.” I swallow. “I hope you all had a nice night.”

I hope it was worth it, because something feels broken.

Something besides me.

“We were going to…” Liam trails off. “We need to scent mark the apartment, Rosie.”

I turn away from the hall. My stomach begins to churn. “Are you for fucking real right now?”

“Seriously?” Carter snaps. “Know when to leave it. Jesus.”

Lauren looks between me and Carter. “I think they’re right. Not tonight.”

“It has to be balanced,” he pushes, but he doesn’t sound stern, or pissed off. Not withher. “Things being unequal is what’s causing us issues—”

“Do you hear yourself?” I interrupt. He doesn’t look at me. “You’ve just proved exactly howequalthis is going to be. And now you want to push it more?” My voice rises. “Her scent is already everywhere—”

“No, it’s not.” He gets to his feet, and I take a step back. Liam approaches me, sweeping a hand around us. “And you know it. This still feels likeyourspace, Ro. Lauren is respecting yourspace. But it’s going to be both of yours, and we need to start moving toward that. Dual packs work best when everything is merged—”

“So I don’t get to claim anything as mine?” The words are strangled. “Nothing? Do youknowhow my biology works?”

His nostrils flare out as he pinches his nose. “You’re not listening. This battle over possessions, over space—it’s making you more territorial because you’re always waiting for Lauren to take over. She’s not going to. But we need to merge our home, Ro, because it’s not just yours.”

“She already is taking over,” I yell at him. Lauren shrinks back behind Jonas. “And she’s not the one pushing it.Youare.”

“I’m standing up for my scent match,” he hisses. “And I am helping you, but you’re too stubborn to see it. That is my right. We need to cut out this possessiveness—this ownership—”

“Thisexistence.” My throat burns. “Add that one on too.”

Jonas moves in between us. “I think we all need to take a minute.”

“Nice of you to speak up,” I snap. “I was wondering where my third alpha had gone. Are your balls in his pocket, too?”

My mouth snaps shut. Fuck.Fuck.

Jonas looks like I’ve hit him between the eyes. He swallows, but he holds my eyes. “That isenough.”

“I’m sorry.” He looks away, and I reach for his hand. “I didn’t mean it, Jonas.”

He slides his hand out of my tentative grip. “But you said it.”

“Nothing is going to get solved tonight.” Carter shifts in front of me, blocking my view. “Everyone is upset. We can talk properly tomorrow.”

I’m done talking.

Keeping my distance from them all, I dart for my nest and close the door quietly behind me.

I stand in the middle of my empty nest. The wine swirls in my stomach uneasily, nausea a growing threat at the back of my throat.

Maybe they won’t follow the bedroom ban tonight.

Maybe Liam and Jonas will follow Lauren into her own bedroom. Maybe she’s built a nest already, and she’ll invite them in.

If not tonight, then soon. And I’ll have to listen as they shred whatever’s left of my shrinking heart for her comfort and her pleasure, because mine...