Avoidance

Avoidance
Romain
Emmalee falls asleep way before I do. 
I've wanted this for so long that I don't know what to do now that it's happened. How many times did I spend nights awake in my cell, fisting my cock, imagining that she was right beside me? 
Too many times to count. 
Three whole days. I'm stunned. It felt like shutting my eyes for a few hours, not days. Now that I'm awake, there are certain things that will have to happen—I need to think about what I'll do to Sasha. How I'll punish her for nearly killing the only woman I'll ever love. 
But even the idea of laying a finger on her hurts me, as ridiculous and infuriating as it sounds. My wolf has an instinctive resistance to causing her pain that I'll have to fight through, that's for sure. 
The problem is I don't know how things will unfold when the time for action comes. 
Emmalee is mine, and if I don't protect her and impose respect, who will? People need to know she can't be messed with. The horrors she endured need to be repaid, there's no way around it. 
I shift from under her, moving to sit on the edge of the bed while she lies asleep at my side. Streaks of moonlight weave through her hair, giving it a shimmery silver sheen. 
I'd run my fingers through it but I fear waking her. I need to find out what's going on out there. I'm sure Fang's still awake. 
Em's tormented. She won't say it but I know. 
I rise, ignoring the lightheadedness I feel, and search the room for clothes of some kind. Finding none, I clench my jaw, realizing I'll have to pad into his office naked and risk coming across a few people. 
Emmalee's clothes wouldn't fit me, not even in dreams. 
I shoot her one last look before exiting the room, closing the door behind me. Once there, I slide Fang's door open and step inside. He raises his eyes to mine and his brows immediately stitch together. "Hey, hey, hey. What in the hell is this?"
"What have you done to Emmalee?" I demand, heading straight for the chest of drawers in the very corner of the room where I know he keeps an extra change of clothes. 
"This is no way to barge into a man's quarters," he continues, ignoring my question. "I'm not even glad to see that you're awake anymore. For fuck's sake, kid."
I shoot him a glare as I get dressed. "Don't beat around the bush, Fang. What happened?"
He gives me a level look. "I take it she didn't tell you yet or you wouldn't be asking."
I pull the t-shirt over my head and close the distance between us. He remains seated, eyeing me with a look on his face I can't decipher. In a low voice, I say, "I want to know exactly what happened."
"Your little girlfriend is a tad bit dramatic, that's what," is his answer, which sets my teeth on edge. "That's what this is about."
"That's no answer, Fang."
Leaning across the table, he says, "I'm minding my business, kid. That's what. Sasha isn't my cross to bear, she's yours. The mother of your child and your sister wanted me to...what? Punish her? Kill her? Goddess forbid, what authority do I have to do that? She's your fated mate. You decide what you'll do to her."
"What does that have to do with anything?" I ask angrily. "I was out for three days and you did nothing about the situation?"
"Not only did I do nothing, but I let her come here. She was here earlier—about an hour ago. I'm not even sure if she's left."
"What?" I burst out. No wonder Emmalee was so crushed. "That woman tried to kill her, Fang. Do you know what it must've been like for her to watch Sasha parade around here like she didn't do anything wrong?"
Fang prods his canine with the tip of his tongue, his expression one of disinterest and boredom. "She can take care of herself. Gave Sasha a hell of a slap earlier. Don't be as dramatic as her. You're a man, dammit. Be practical."
I've never had the urge to strangle him but now I do. "You behave like a puny little bitch sometimes, you know that?"
My comment doesn't anger him. Instead, he smiles, flashing me all his fucking teeth. "I just learned my lesson, son. A long time ago, I got myself involved into another man's affairs and it nearly cost me my life. Bottomline, a man's fated mate is his to deal with."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
Fang sighs, leaning back in his chair. "A little slow today, aren't you? I'm saying I won't punish her. You will. Do with her as you wish—as a strategist, I'll ask that you think twice before you lay a hand on her. Kill her after the war is won, not now, or we'll have to fight those damn bastards in her group. They're as merciless as we are. It won't be an easy fight."
Irritation sparks through me, not because he isn't making sense; quite the opposite. This thought didn't cross my mind at all. 
A war with our allies would condemn us—it's as simple as that. 
"Tell me," he continues, not missing a beat, "how does it feel like in that rebellious heart of yours when you think about killing her? I've heard many things over the years but I want to hear it from you."
"Why don't you tell me?" I counter. 
Fang shrugs. "I've never wanted to kill my fated mate."
The resistance. Fuck, I need to reject her. This bond has no place inside of me and Emmalee can never find out about this. 
"Glad to know we have an understanding," he concludes. 
I feel like shit for verbally attacking him. He didn't deserve it. Fang is a strange man, though, and has an even stranger way of delivering news. It's like he savors the confusion and anger before the conclusion.
"I shouldn't have called you that."
He waves me off. "I've been called worse. Though, I must warn you that Sasha is determined to have you. I don't know what she has planned but it's big."
I clench my jaw. "I'm going to kill her."
"Be practical," he snaps. "You're not going to do that. Your wolf will never let you. What's the next step?"
I shake my head. I don't know. 
"Negotiate with her. Ask her what it'll take to let you go. It's the only way. That woman holds your life in her hands. She could refuse the rejection and you'd never be at peace. You look like you could use a drink. Sit down, kid. We'll talk things through."
I do as he suggests, sitting for a drink. Just as he's pouring me a glass, the door opens suddenly and Sasha strides into the office, head held high. 
Trailing behind her are the two guys always flanking her and my beloved Emmalee, who currently has a knife pressed against her throat.