"You're bluffing," Mia said, but there was no conviction in her voice. Hell, she couldn't even look him in the eye. Her face was pointed down at her feet as she shook her head.
"You know that's not true." Ty ran the back of his fingers down her cheek—the tenderness of the gesture at odds with the threat in his words. He didn't want to do this, but there were times when cruelty was kindness in disguise.
Mia might not see that now.
But she would.
In time.
"You've already seen their blood on my hands," he continued "You know I want revenge for how they treated you. The only thing that's held me back is your desire for mercy. But if you refuse to give yourself over to me completely, then I don't see why I should care."
The muscles of her jaw flexed beneath his fingers. Angry eyes flashed up at him.
"I was wrong," she spat the words. "You are a monster."
"No," Ty whispered. There was no need for him to shout. Not now that he could see her resolve slipping away. "I'm an alpha. Your alpha. And I will do anything to protect my omega."
Even if it meant that she would hate him for the rest of their lives.
Strained silence stretched between them as moments ticked by. Ty didn't move or make a sound.
Patience was something every alpha learned in the Boundarylands. Their lives as hunters depended on it. If there was one thing he knew, it was how to wait out his prey.
"All right," Mia finally said, defeated. "You win. If you promise not to lay another finger on Dustin or Josh, I will give you everything you want."
Ty's lips lifted in victory. But he felt no joy.
Mia was wrong. He wasn't getting everything. Not even close. What he wanted was all of her, body and soul. He wanted her to need him with the same ferocity as he needed her. To know the satisfaction of an omega who craved his touch, his cock, and his protection.
But Ty had learned early that life wasn't about getting what you wanted. It was about making the best of what you got.
He had no right to complain. Only a handful of alphas ever found their omegas. He was one of the lucky ones. That wouldn't change even if Mia cursed his name every time she lay down beside him.
"Good," he said with a nod. "Take off your clothes."
Her eyes widened again. "What? Right now?"
"Of course." There was no point in waiting any longer. He'd already learned she wasn't the type to be warmed up with time.
"But—"
"No buts," Ty snapped. "You've made your deal, now take off your clothes. Or were you hoping I would rip them off you?"
"No." She turned her eyes away, her gaze sliding down to the floor. "I just…"
Her words trailed off.
It was just as well.
Ty lifted his head. Far away—still more than a couple miles off—he'd caught the sound of an engine pulling onto the dirt road that led to his house. As if the driver feared he might miss the sound—or more likely, feared he might be busy—he gave two taps of his horn.
Only one alpha did that.
Kian.
Ty's closest friend.
He heaved a heavy sigh. He wasn't sure if he was relieved Kian was finally coming or pissed at his timing. After a second, he settled on the former.
Kian was one of the very few alphas who was bonded to an omega. Even now, his mate, Paige, was heavy with his pup. Which was the main reason Ty didn't blame his friend for his absence.
In just a couple of months, Kian would become the first Boundarylands father in over fifty years. The alpha had far more important things to worry about than his friend's relationship problems.
Ty understood that, but still, Kian was the only alpha who could relate to what he was going through. Kian and Paige's claiming had also been complicated.
Not as complicated as his and Mia's but close.
Ty let out a long breath and looked back down at Mia.
"You can stop looking so nervous," he said. "Your prayers for reprieve have been answered."
Little lines creased the skin above her nose. "What do you mean?"
"There's a truck coming up the drive," he said.
Mia's already face paled. "Is it—"
Her voice broke with fear.
She was so afraid. Why was she fighting so hard against his protection?
Ty shook his head. "It's not the FBI…or the army."
Not this time, at least.
"Then who is it?" she asked.
"A friend of mine," Ty said.
He walked to the door and leaned against the open frame as the Kian's truck continued up the dirt road. His friend must have had the windows rolled down because, even from here, Ty could make out the scent of a pregnant omega being carried toward him by the wind.
"And it seems that you're in luck," he said, sparing a glance toward Mia, who was still cowering in the middle of the room. "He's brought a friend for you too."
Chapter Nine
She was beautiful...and happy.
Mia wasn't sure which shocked her more as she watched the omega step down from the truck that was parked in front of Ty's cabin.
Okay, waddle down was a better description.
The omega was pregnant. Very pregnant.
Mia stepped back, away from the open front door and deeper into the concealing shadows of the cabin's front room.
A part of her felt guilty for staring, but she couldn't seem to help herself. The omega was nothing like she expected.
Paige—Ty had told Mia her name just before they'd rolled up—was lovely. Her hair was pulled back, and loose curls dusted the nape of her neck. Her maternity dress was modern and stylish. But what surprised Mia the most was the sparkle of true joy in her eyes.
Mia felt an unexpected stab of jealousy at seeing the other woman's happiness. It had been a long time since she'd felt that
