Thirty Seven

Zeke's POV

"Act normal," Payne warned, his voice a low growl in the back of my head. "Don't let him see the guilt."

I swallowed hard, forcing my posture straight as I plated the last egg. My hands still trembled faintly from the weight of what I'd done to Wayne. I could feel the tension clinging to my spine like a vice.

"He'll sense it," I muttered mentally. "He always fucking senses it."

"Then control it," Payne snapped. "Fake it. Smile. Be Beta. We can't afford a slip right now."

My mouth opened to respond, but Neo's voice cut through the thick air like a blade.

"I asked you a question, Beta."

I stiffened.

"As good as any." I shrugged, keeping my face neutral.

"You missed your duties." He smirked, stepping further into the room, hands tucked casually in his pockets.

"I handled them early," I shot back, keeping my tone even. "Had to make sure everything was set before training Sky."

"You seem to be spending a lot of time with her."

The way he said her name—Sky—was laced with something darker. Bitterness. Contempt. Like her very existence tasted foul in his mouth.

It made my wolf stir again, my fingers tightening around the handle of the spatula.

"She needs someone right now." My spine went rigid.

Neo snorted, dismissive and cruel, and it made my blood boil. I could feel Payne trying to calm me, his voice echoing in my head.

"Don't rise. Not here. Not now."

"He's goading me," I hissed back. "Like he always fucking does."

"Then let him. You're not doing this for him—you're doing this for her."

"And that someone is you?" Neo's eyes narrowed slightly.

His smile faded as his brow furrowed, the edges of his mouth twitching downward. His stance stiffened, and the entire energy of the kitchen shifted. Even the younger wolves who had lingered earlier had slinked off. No one wanted to be near him when he was like this. Not even me.

"Who else is gonna step up?" I challenged, letting a hint of my frustration slip through.

"Too sharp. Dial it back before he snaps." Payne winced.

"Careful, Zeke. Your tongue's getting sharp. You forget who you're talking to." Neo chuckled, low and humorless.

"Tell him it's about control," Payne said quickly. "Twist it. Make it seem like it's for his benefit."

I exhaled slowly.

"Just doing what's best for the pack," I stated, keeping my voice as level as I could. "We can't afford her breaking down again. Especially with the elders arriving next week. If we don't have her under control, they'll question your leadership."

I forced myself to relax, dropping my gaze for a moment to keep from pushing him further.

My eyes flicked to the bacon again, focusing on the simple movement of plating it. The sizzle was quieter now, and I counted each breath as I turned off the stove. Distraction. Distance. Stay calm.

"Is that what you're doing? Or are you just hoping to get your dick wet?"

My teeth ground together so hard I tasted blood.

The image of his smirk burned in my vision. I wanted to lunge at him, throw him against the wall and wipe that smug expression from his face. I wanted to snap his jaw for saying something like that about her. But I couldn't. Not yet.

He knew.

He fucking knew.

But I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of admitting it.

"She's your sister," I bit out, trying to sound unimpressed. "She needs support. Or do you want her to collapse again and make you look weak in front of everyone?"

"Watch your tone, Beta." His smirk wavered, just a fraction.

I ignored the surge of anger and focused on the bacon, pulling it from the pan and placing it onto the plate.

"You want her? I know you do. But don't forget where your loyalty lies."

Neo moved closer, his presence pressing against mine like a challenge.

"My loyalty is to the pack."

I turned to face him fully, meeting his gaze with a steady calm I didn't feel.

"Make sure it stays that way." Neo's eyes narrowed, suspicion creeping into his expression.

Then his smile turned cold. Lethal.

"Zeke, don't forget who's in charge here," he murmured. "If I want her removed—she's gone. If I want her mated off, she will be. Hell, if I want her dead and buried..." He tilted his head, his voice a quiet threat. 

"Well. You get my drift." 

My body went rigid. My heart thundered in my chest, every instinct screaming at me to put him down before he ever touched her. But I forced my fists to stay at my sides.

"We will kill him. Just not today." Payne's growl was low and dangerous.

He didn't wait for me to respond before turning on his heel and leaving the kitchen.

His footsteps faded, but the chill he left behind stayed, coiling in my gut like poison.

The tension left with him, and I forced myself to breathe again.

I didn't know how much longer I could keep walking this line.

Protect Sky. Keep her safe.

And somehow avoid getting my throat torn out by the Alpha.

I glanced at the plate of food, my hands still trembling as I forced myself to focus.

One thing at a time.

I moved with practiced ease, adding the last few rashers of bacon and a warm croissant to her plate. I drizzled honey over the edge of the toast—just the way she used to like it—before reaching for the notepad on the counter. Tearing off a sheet, I scribbled out a quick note in thick, sharp handwriting:

Training yard. Before 7. We'll go slow. Just us.

– Z 

I folded the paper neatly and tucked it under the edge of the plate before grabbing the tray and heading for the stairs.

The moment I stepped into the hall, I felt it. The way the air shifted around me. Wolves shrank back, eyes darting elsewhere, conversations cut short. I caught the scent of fear from two young omegas, who gave me a wide berth and dipped their heads respectfully. Others just moved aside silently.

Word had spread.

Wayne must have woken up. Or maybe someone had seen the aftermath. Either way, the pack knew. I was no longer just their Beta—I was dangerous.

I pushed the guilt down and climbed the stairs two at a time until I reached Sky's door. I nudged it open gently and slipped inside.

She was sprawled across the bed like she'd fought it all night—limbs tangled in the blanket, mouth slightly open, hair a wild explosion of curls around her face.

It was pure chaos. And somehow... beautiful.

I smirked, set the tray gently on the nightstand, and pulled out my phone. One quick snap. A keeper.

"For the wank bank, I assume?" her voice cracked through the quiet, dry with sleep and sass.

"Damn straight, little demon." I turned, grinning as I slipped the phone back into my pocket. 

I closed the door behind me, leaving her to wake up and eat.

But as I walked away, I couldn't shake Payne's voice in the back of my mind.

"You'll have to choose, Zeke. One day soon, you'll have to choose between him and her."

And deep down, I already knew the answer.