In the Doghouse

ALLIE

I cannot believe he walked out to confront Ryan without telling me that he had his warriors following us.

I thought he was going to die, that Ryan had him cornered, when all the time he knew it was Ryan who was surrounded.

I was so terrified that I would lose him.

Did he think that it wasn’t worth the effort to tell me what was going on? Don’t I matter enough to him, or did he just not trust me?

We had been doing so well. I thought we were becoming a real couple who trusted and confided in each other. But no, he’s still the same high-handed alpha.

I need to get out of here.

I was supposed to have a shift at Raffles tonight. I had canceled it to spend the whole day with James, but working would give me time away from my mate and the opportunity to calm down.

I quickly change and find James in his study.

“I’m going to work my shift at Raffles tonight. I need to get away from here.”

We both know I mean I need to get away from him.

“You can’t.”

I bristle. “What do you mean I ~can’t~? I need to work, and Archie needs the help. We’re always busy on the weekends.”

“I’m sure he’ll cope. He needs to find someone to replace you, anyway. I called him earlier and informed him that you wouldn’t be working there anymore.”

“What? ~You~ decided I wouldn’t be working there anymore?

“Yes.”

“How dare you take it on yourself to tell Archie that?” I’m fuming. “You had no right. That’s ~my~ job. You don’t make my decisions for me.”

“I know you’re angry. I did it precisely because I knew you wouldn’t willingly give up your job. But you have to see that it’s no longer safe for you to work there. Not after today.”

“You went behind my back.”

“When you say it like that, it sounds heavy-handed, but I’m alpha. I have to make decisions to keep you and my pack safe.”

“You’re not my alpha, and after this, I’m not sure if you’re even my mate.” I storm out of the room.

He follows me. “Don’t be ridiculous. I did what I thought was for the best.”

I swivel around to face him. “And you think that justifies your actions?”

He stays silent, but I can tell that he thinks that it does. He’s so infuriating!

“That’s ridiculous!” I shout. “Don’t follow me. I need time alone. Away from you!”

I stomp upstairs to our room, and fortunately, he doesn’t follow me. I need to get out of here whether he likes it or not.

I call Danielle. “Hey, how are you doing?” I begin.

“What’s wrong? You don’t sound good.”

“I… I just need some time away, away from James. Can I stay over at your place tonight?”

“Of course.”

“I’ll run over now. See you in thirty minutes.”

I think about telling James where I’m going, but I decide against it. Why should I? He doesn’t bother to tell me anything. He does things without consulting me.

I’m better than him, though, I tell myself. I’ll at least leave him a note.

I grab a pen and a pad and write a few short sentences of explanation.

I pull out my overnight bag and pack some underwear, my toothbrush, and a T-shirt. I go down the back stairs of the pack house, open the door, and run into the forest. I can’t wait to see Danielle.

***

It only takes me twenty minutes to reach my old house, running as fast as I can. When I get there, Danielle is standing at the back door with a glass of wine in each hand.

“I thought you sounded like you needed this.” She hands me a glass.

“You were right,” I grumble.

“So, what has he done that has made you so mad?”

I tell her about our trip to the Silver Fang Pack, Ryan’s ambush, and James telling Archie that I would no longer be working at Raffles.

“So, before that, you had a good day? You enjoyed meeting his mother and the rest of the pack?”

“Not the point, Danielle.”

“No, I guess not. Letting you think that Ryan had you surrounded and was going to kill him was a dick move. He should have explained what was going on.

“And just deciding that you wouldn’t be working at Raffles anymore without discussing it with you first was controlling.”

“Thank you.”

“I think he did it because he was so scared of losing you, of Ryan succeeding in taking you away from him.

“It will be difficult for him, you know. He’s an alpha. He will be used to never having to explain his actions to anyone, used to issuing orders and having people jump to do what he tells them to do.

“Alphas are notorious for being very jealous and obsessive when it comes to their mates.”

“That doesn’t excuse his actions!” I insist. “As his mate, I’m supposed to be his equal, the one he loves and trusts! I was so terrified that Ryan was going to kill him.”

“I know, and you’re right to be angry. Let’s just sit here and drink wine and forget about him. How long did you tell him you would be staying for?”

“I didn’t. I just left him a note saying I was going to stay with a friend and not to follow me.”

“Wow, so he doesn’t know where you are or who you’re with?”

“No, but I’m sure he will guess I’m with you. Where else would I go? But if he doesn’t, I really don’t care.”

Before Danielle can respond, a car screeches to a halt outside. Footsteps run up the path, and someone bangs on the front door.

“I think he has guessed that you’re here.” She smirks. “I’ll go down and let him in.”

“No. I’ll deal with it myself.”

I open the window and shout down to him, “Go away! I made it clear in my note that I don’t want to talk to you.”

“Stop being so unreasonable. Get down here and open the door. We need to talk; you can’t just run away from our problems.”

“~Now~ you want to talk? It’s a bit late for that, don’t you think? I don’t want to speak to you tonight, James. Back off and leave me alone.”

“Stop being so immature.” He runs his hand through his hair and growls in frustration. “Look, I know I didn’t handle things well today, but this isn’t the answer. Come home with me,” he pleads.

“Not tonight. I’m mad at you. I need some time to myself, away from you, to calm down and think.”

“Tomorrow then?”

“Yes. Just go.”

I’m surprised when he nods his head and walks away. That was easier than I thought it would be.

“Did he actually just listen to you and walk away?” Danielle asks.

“Looks like it.”

“Wow, I thought he would break in and drag you back. It must be love.”

So did I. “Let’s forget about him for tonight,” I beg.

She winks at me. “I’ll go and open another bottle of wine.”