Chapter 162 Chapter 162
“Does he notice everything?”
Blair had no issues with letting Calum take the fall if it saved his hide. “I think that’s why he’s so good at what he does.”
She stood up and all he could think was ‘oh shit, here we go’. He got up slowly.
“So,” she waved her hand around in the air, “what? We’re supposed to be mated, post-haste, so you can be the Alpha and we can live on this awesome land?”
Okay, when said that way it sounded like shit, he realized. “I don’t know.” He’d watched Ed use that line on Beth when she was on the warpath from time to time, and it always saved his ass.
“Did you tell the king I wasn’t ready?” Her tone was higher pitched.
“I did.” He nodded.
She huffed out a breath and studied him. “Good. Because I’m not.”
Waves of hostility were pouring off her now, his cat prodded him to fix it. Blair would have gladly if he had any idea how to.
She pointed a finger at him. “And don’t you go getting any ideas that you’ll just claim me.” She stomped away.
Blair raised his hands. “Kobie,” she was pacing the other way, “look at me.” He used a serious tone to get her attention. She turned back to him, he put his hands down. “I would never even consider such a thing.” He spoke slowly, enunciating each syllable for her. “Nothing happens unless you consent,” he motioned toward the house, “Calum, Devin, hell all the guys back home would cut my balls off if I ever considered such a thing.”
She stood there, unmoving for a few seconds. “Good. I’m happy to hear the rest of your clan is as upstanding as you are.” She blew out a breath, “what are the women like in your clan?”
Blair froze. Of all the questions to ask him, why did she have to ask that one?
“What?” She stepped closer, with her hands on her hips, watching him.
Blair closed his eyes and swore every cuss word he knew inside his head before he opened them. “There’s nothing wrong with the women.” He said quietly. “But, uh, full disclosure…”
Kobie gave him that look. That look that women got when men did stupid shit.
“Everything I said about Kelsey and Layna was the truth…”
“But?”
Blair reached for his cat, who he was pretty sure now sat with his back to him, disowning him. “Before I knew Gage was Kelsey’s mate—I fell in love with her.” He shrugged, “we were kids.” Was that a viable reason? “Nothing ever happened between us, but,” he waved his hand around, “it might be tense when we’re together because I haven’t seen her since she accepted Gage.” Kobie didn’t move. He didn’t know what that meant. Her expression was unreadable. He couldn’t sense a damn thing. Fuck.
“How do you feel about her now?”
That was a question. He realized he hadn’t thought of it. “I,” he frowned, “haven’t even thought about her like that since I saw you.” He sucked in a breath and held it. Again, with the unreadable expression. Could he get a small break?
“Layna?”
Blair bit his tongue, needing to feel the pain of it for a second. He wasn’t into pain, but he may need to be after this. Why hadn’t he just breezed over her question? “Because we have so many unmated females in the clan—” he cleared his throat, “and there are no other clans of tigers close by when some of the women’s cycles…”
She held up her hand, fingers wide, so there was no mistaking what the signal meant. “You run around servicing women in heat?”
He opened his mouth, then closed it. “What? No. There are no women.” His cat was back and threatened to rip his insides apart if he mentioned the summer when he was eighteen. “Layna—a few times, that’s it.” He stepped closer and stopped with one look from her, “look, you’ve had your cycle, right?” Was that a question he should ask? Too late now.
She glared at him.
Taking that as a yes, he lifted one hand slowly, “then you know how bad it can get,” he paused, “unless you’ve found some oil or herb shit that helps with that?”
Kobie did not look amused.
“Okay, s-so then you know.” He nodded, hoping she agreed. He watched the emotions come and go on her face and had no idea whether any of them were for or against him. When had he become such a screw-up with women? “What do you want me to do, Kobie?” He put his hand on his chest, “just tell me what you need.”
She took a deep breath and glanced at the house. “How long can we live in this new place without an Alpha?”
“I’m sure it won’t be a problem for a while—after everything you’ve been through.”
Kobie looked at him, a hard look on her face. “You’re going to tell the king, first, thank you for allowing us this new start and then you’re going to tell him I have not consented to be mated and will not be rushed.” She bobbed her head and started walking. “I’m going to get everyone and meet in Jay’s room, then you can tell them about our new home.” She kept walking without even glancing back at him.
Blair blew out a breath. He had no idea where he stood right now. None what-so-ever. Turning, he followed her, keeping a good distance between them. He knew one thing, he owed Gage a huge apology for pushing him with Kelsey all the time. This mate shit was not easy.
As he crossed the yard, he spotted Devin walking toward Kobie. When he glanced over at him, Blair shook his head to tell him to stay clear of her.
Kobie spun around suddenly and marched right back to Blair. She scowled up and him and then poked him in the chest. “Thank you for being truthful and not a complete asshole male that doesn’t tell the little woman important details.” She stabbed him again, “I’ve had enough of that to last the rest of my life.” She huffed out a breath and stomped over to the house.
After she went into the house, Calum came over with Devin.
“Went that well?” Calum asked.
Blair frowned, “I don’t really know, but all of you guys are assholes right now for forcing this on her.”
Devin gave him a startled look. “I didn’t…”
Blair backed toward the house, “your father, you, Calum, and any other male that’s involved in making decisions.”
Calum smirked. “So, it went well.”
Blair rolled his eyes, then jerked his chin toward the door. “Now I get to tell all of them.” He stopped, “Oh, and I have to tell your father thank you for the new start and she will not be rushed.”
Devin crossed his arms over his chest. “I’ll relay that for you.”
“Blair?” Kobie opened the door.
Blair mouthed ‘thank you’ to Devin and then turned. “Let me grab a coffee and I’ll be in.” He told her as he stepped inside.