Chapter 73 Reaper Epilogue

Chapter 73 Reaper Epilogue
“So…” Reaper settled himself down onto the chair in the conference room, pulling Bethany onto his lap. He had been the same since they had left the half-demolished house, keeping her as close as possible to him. And Bethany didn’t mind at all. Though she did wish they were alone, and that she could wash the blood off her.

Someone else’s blood.

She had killed a man.

Actually, two men.

That was something she would have to come to terms with at a later date. Rory as well. It was something they would get through together.

As friends.

For now, they had something more important to decide. Namely, the girl they had thought was on their side.

Mae.

“What happens now?” His arms tightened around Bethany’s body, cocooning her in the safety of his arms. Across the table, Roman was peppering Rory’s face with tiny kisses as if he couldn’t believe she was there.

It made Bethany smile, their big Alpha men. Hard on the outside, with their soft gooey centers.

Then she followed his gaze. Mae was curled on a chair, her arms had been tied in front of her, but she had somehow managed to bring her knees up. An attempt to make herself as small as possible. Her head bowed, lank hair shielding her face.

Roman growled, and she flinched visibly.

“She’s just a girl,” Rory said in a small voice.

“She’s a grown ass woman.” Roman growled again, his blue eyes never leaving the poor girl's form.

Mae was trembling all over.

“She nearly got you killed!” Reaper's voice was firm. “She needs to be punished.” His lips curled in a sneer.

“We could take her to the police…” Bethany opened her mouth to say, and was silenced by Reaper's hand on her arm.

“No police, this is pack business.”

“Our business too.” Eric spoke up suddenly. “Bethany is part of my pod; she must be avenged.”

“No!” The voice was loud, all eyes turned as Requiem stalked into the room. Looking fearsome, his jeans tucked into massive black boots, his shirt straining over bulging muscles.  

He regarded them all with unwavering yellow bird eyes. “No one is to touch her.”

“Requiem…”

“I said no!” His voice bellowed, and Bethany cowed back into Reaper's chest, her eyes huge.

“Look.”

“Don’t fight me on this Reaper.” His face was neutral, but the tone of his voice was lethal. “You won’t win.”

“We can’t just let her walk out of here unpunished.” Roman was getting to his feet. “Not after everything she has done.” His fists clenched at his side.

If things didn’t calm down, then they would start fighting amongst themselves. Bethany untangled herself from her mate. “Req?” She placed a hand on his forearm, the muscles jumped under her palm. Electricity sparked. “What’s going on?”

He shook his head, but his eyes never left the huddled figure in the corner of the room. “I'll take her.” He pinched his bottom lip between his finger and thumb. As if he was torn on what exactly to do, and Bethany frowned.

Back at the house he had been so close to killing her and now?

Now he was looking at her like he had seen a ghost.

A ghost that was breaking his heart.

Bethany had never seen a man so close to breaking, she threw a glance at Reaper who was staring at his friend in disbelief.

“I’ll take her.” He whispered again. “Until a punishment can be decided.” His whispered word made Mae raise her head, and she looked even more terrified as she looked at the huge man in front of her.

“Brother?” Reaper's voice was soft, as if he was talking to a frightened child. “Brother, who is she?”

Bethany stumbled back and Reaper's arms went around her. “Requiem, is she your mate?”

Requiem roared.

Mae sobbed into her knees again.

“My mate is dead. Amber has been dead a hundred years.”

Amber, wasn’t that the name he had called out at the house? The name that had made him stumble and run.

“I don’t know who this is… but she isn’t Amber.” He dragged a terrified Mae up by the elbow. His face red with rage as he brought her face up to his. Her feet dangling above the carpet.

“Requiem stop.” Roman was on his feet, moving forward. “You are hurting her.”

Requiem froze as if only just aware of his actions, then he dropped her. She fell into a heap at his feet. Sobbing into the carpet.

“I want to know who you are.” He crouched over her, bringing her chin up so she had no choice but to meet his eyes straight on.

“I’m Mae, just Mae. I didn’t lie to you about that.” She closed her eyes. “Please Requiem, please don’t hurt me.”

He jumped back as if burned, a look of horror passing over his features. “Stop doing that.” His voice broke. “Stop speaking to me in her voice!” Smashing his fist into the wall. “Just stop it and tell me who or what you are!” Tears ran down his cheeks.

“I’m just a hacker, please. I’m sorry, okay. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen!” Mae’s eyes met Bethany’s, pleading silently for her help. Reaper's hands tightened around her arm, shaking his head.

He had no idea what was going on either.

“Why do you smell of her?” Requiem's voice had turned dangerous again.

“I don’t know who ‘her’ is, but I’m sorry. I don’t mean to smell of anyone!” Mae was struggling to catch her breath and pure terror took over. “Please Requiem…”

“What the hell is going on Requiem?” Reaper's voice was steady. He had never seen his friend so close to losing control.

“She…” He threw Mae a look of pure hatred. “She smells… My dragon.” He gulped. “My dragon recognizes her as our mate.” He sounded as if it hurt to say such a thing.

Rory sucked in a breath. “How?”

“Is that even possible?” Reaper's voice was louder.

“I don’t know, but I plan to find out.” He sneered. “I don’t care what my dragon thinks, you will pay for putting my family in danger.” He motioned around the room. “Do you understand?”

Mae nodded tearfully. “I didn’t mean…”

“Be quiet.”

Her mouth closed with a snap.

“These are the people I love, and you almost got them killed; you abused my trust, and for that you will pay. Look at me Mae.” She raised her head fearfully. “But not before I find out why you sound and smell like my dead mate.”