Alpha Warriors of The Cause - Tamara Rose Blodgett Page 0,51
I will bow out of a reconnaissance mission, or that I might be intimidated by inevitable conflict.”
Merrick and Slade exchange a look of understanding.
Merrick doesn't want Beth endangered any more that I. And he doesn't seem surprised that Slade volunteered him.
“Don't look at him like that,” Beth says, punching Slade's arm. Her blow hurts, despite how small she is.
Slade jerks her away from Merrick, and his hand falls on Slade's arm.
“Worry not, hopper.” Slade's eyes flick to Merrick, and his hand reluctantly withdraws. “I would never hurt our Beth.”
A strange expression shadows Merrick's face momentarily, then it’s gone.
“It is unsafe for any female to travel to Dimitri. Especially you. Do you so quickly forget the fun of Dimitri's holdings?”
He can see by the tension in her face that she remembers just fine.
“I'm not afraid, Slade.”
Slade manages a completely genuine smile, his eyes moving over every contour of her face. “I know,” he says softly, his grip becoming weaker, but shy of the caress he would like to give.
“In this, let us protect you.” It kills Slade to make any concession to Merrick, but Slade will do it to see his agenda through.
Merrick gives him a glance full of speculative mistrust.
Slade hates his instincts. They're formidable.
Merrick jerks his head toward Slade. “He's right. Stay here with Maddie and Jacky. We'll return with Rachett.”
No you won't, hopper.
Beth is silent for so long, Slade is sure her stubbornness will be the victor, but she surprises him.
She grips them both, and her voluntary touch causes Slade's emotions to mute his vocal chords.
“Come back to me then. Both of you.” Her small hands are warm on his upper arm.
He fights every instinct he has to take her and crush her to him, protecting her body and soul from all who would hurt her. Instead, he does nothing. Only one of them will return.
Slade hates that Beth’s regard includes Merrick.
But when he looks into her liquid eyes, he is bolstered that it also embraces him.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Beth
Something is going on.
Both Slade and Merrick are being cagey, and that deepens Beth’s sensation of the portent of doom she's been living under recently.
She watches the two of them ready themselves to make the trek to Dimitri's fortress.
I wonder what or who he slaves now that he's lost the Reflectives?
Beth vividly remembers Dimitri's hands gripping her while his golden eyes spun slowly, piercing her. Beth's fight to remain calm and stoic in the face of a creature half-man, half-lion had been a fierce one.
Beth wanted to go fight alongside her partner simply because she's afraid to. Fear can't rule her. But Jeb and Slade had nearly begged her to stay. And she has Jacky and Maddie to consider. Yes, Kennet affords some protection, but… Maddie is too fragile for yet another person to abandon her. And ultimately, Beth and Jeb are responsible for the Threes.
Beth scans the landing platforms and houses, held and pierced by thick, ancient branches.
She gives a mournful exhale.
She's half-Bloodling and half-Reflective.
And wholly confused.
The Cause remains the most important thing in her life, but the men press in at all sides, making it hard for Beth to concentrate. She needs to return to Papilio. Word has been sent that Calvin, escorted by two Bloodlings, made the jump back to Ten. Even now, he should be restoring order in Papilio. Beth, Kennet, and Jeb need to find all the Reflective females and help with their healing—both physically and mentally. That should be her top priority—not this crazy game of Slade and Jeb battling for her affections.
If I knew how I felt, it'd be simple.
She forces her mind off the men and back to the important tasks. Whatever Reflectives who were in league with Ryan will be held accountable for their actions—if they have not already been justly murdered. The Reflectives who chased Beth as though they couldn't bear to have their last female out of sight will be reinstated into The Cause and will forget all about Beth upon the return of their females.
That is, unless her timepiece runs out and she find that Jeb is her soul mate—she would be unforgettable then.
Could I be that fortunate? Could it all be as simple as that? And what if I don’t want to be anyone's soul mate? Maybe being a warrior of The Cause is a higher calling. She has at least one term left, and her timepiece is still fresh and ticking.
A horrible idea eats at the edges of her brain. What if her timepiece runs out and