But right now, I needed him to get over it and get on board with the plan.
“We can’t wait. Griffin needs our help, or we’re going to lose them. You said it yourself. Damien won’t wait. He’ll attack Windale, and we both know it will be a bloodbath. Griffin won’t roll over like the other packs Norwood took. He’ll fight back, and he’ll lose.” I swallowed, begging him to understand with my eyes.
He flinched, his jaw tight. He knew I was right, but he wasn’t going to admit it.
I sighed, kissing the inside of his wrist. “Remy, a lot of people are going to die if I don’t do this. It’s the only way.”
One of his hands slipped from my face to the back of my head. He hauled me forward, crushing his mouth to mine.
My hands fisted in his shirt as I clung to him, holding on for dear life as he dominated the kiss. He tongue licked into my mouth, hot and demanding, until my knees trembled and my head spun.
“Fine,” he whispered against my mouth. “I hate this, but fine. If you really think you need to do this, then I’ll support you.”
I opened my eyes, more than a little dazed. I had lost count of how many times Remy had kissed me, but they never failed to leave me craving more. I would never get enough of him.
“That’s all I wanted in the first place,” I said gently. “I just need you to support me.”
He sighed and leaned his forehead against mine. “I’m sorry. I should have heard you out. I just …”
“You just want to protect me,” I finished warmly. “I love that you want to protect me, but I feel the same way about you. And for the first time, in a long time, I can actually do something about those feelings.”
“Yeah. But I’m staying with you the whole time,” he added fiercely. “If it looks like it’s too much or it’s hurting you, I’m stopping it. Got it?”
I nodded, willing to compromise. “Deal.”
He kissed me again, softer this time.
“Who knew that when we stood in here two weeks ago arguing over me going to the Summit, that we’d be where we are now?” I mumbled, looking around his bedroom.
“It’s been a long two weeks,” he replied, one hand tangling in my hair and the other settling on my waist possessively.
“Feels like it’s been months,” I said, shaking my head. “Whoever said absence makes the heart grow fonder was an idiot.”
“You’re calling Thomas Haynes an idiot?” He smiled at me, an eyebrow raised questioningly.
I laughed, loving that Remy was as much of a literature nerd as he was an Alpha. “Yeah. I am.”
“He would be deeply offended,” Remy chuckled, kissing the underside of my jaw.
I pulled back in mock outrage. “Whose side are you on? Mine or Tommy’s?”
He smiled softly at me, completely sincere. “Yours, babe. Always yours.”
49
Skye
I pulled my feet up onto the couch as Remy picked up the phone in his office. Katy sat to my left, just as anxious as I was. Rhodes, Dante, and Will had filed in and closed the door. Rhodes perched on the arm of the couch beside me. Dante leaned against the door, and Will had dropped into the empty armchair.
“Ready?” Remy asked.
I wasn’t sure if he was addressing us or himself. Either way, I gave a slow nod, my head sinking to my chest and barely rising under the gravity of the moment.
Rhodes’s hand settled comfortingly on my shoulder as Katy leaned against my side. Remy picked up the phone and started to dial, putting it on speaker mode the way we had discussed.
“Alpha,” Damien’s cool voice greeted, seemingly calm and patient.
“Damien,” Remy replied, ignoring the formalities.
Damien chuckled, not giving into the slight. “How can I be of service?”
I grit my teeth, resisting the urge to start biting my lip.
Remy leaned forward, steepling his fingers in front of his face, elbows braced against the edge of the massive desk. His dark eyes found me as he spoke. “I heard you’re planning on heading into Windale.”
Damien’s chuckle turned into an outright laugh. “And if I am?”
“I have another offer,” Remy replied, his tone firm and even.
“I don’t see what you could possibly have to offer that I would want,” Damien drawled.
Lie.
We all knew there was plenty he wanted.
A smile ghosted over Remy’s lips. “How about Blackwater?”
There was a heavy pause before Damien spoke. “You have my attention.”
“I think we both know where this is headed, Damien, so let’s save both our packs the headache,” Remy answered. “I’ll meet you in Windale in two days. One last challenge to see who controls the packs.”
“I must admit, I’m surprised,” Damien said slowly. “When last we spoke, I offered you a truce and you refused.”
“I did.”
“How do I know this isn’t some ploy to save your friend, Griffin?”
Remy’s jaw flexed. “It absolutely is.”
Another cold laugh came from Damien. “You Holts. So adorably loyal.”
“Do we have a deal?” Remy ground out.
“I’ll accept your terms with one condition,” Damien replied.
Remy stayed quiet, waiting for the axe to drop.
“Your mate must attend,” Damien informed him.
Remy’s eyebrows slammed down as he frowned. “My mate has nothing to do with this.”
“But doesn’t she?” Damien countered. “I’m fully aware of her heritage, and the connections she now has in Europe thanks to her father. My pack would do well to acquire those connections.”
“Sure. You win and we’ll arrange a meeting with you and her father.” Remy rolled his eyes.
Damien chuckled darkly. “That’s not what I had in mind. When you fall, she will join us. Willingly.”
It felt like insects were crawling up my spine.
Remy’s eyes narrowed into thin slits. “Skye isn’t part of this deal.”
“Yes, she is,” Damien countered coldly. “I’m assuming she’s sitting beside you? Let’s leave the decision in her hands since your pack is so adamant that women be given the same rights as men.”
I stood up slowly, shaking off Rhodes and Katy’s hands, as I went to Remy’s side and leaned against him. His arm circled around my waist, anchoring me to his side.
“I’m here,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm even as my heart beat frantically in my chest.
“Skye,” Damien greeted. “Good to hear your voice.”
“Define willingly,” I demanded, hung up on that word.
“You will bind yourself to the Norwood pack if your mate should fall,” Damien explained, and there was no hiding the glee in his voice. “A marriage should do it.”
Remy’s low growl filled the air.
“And who am I marrying?” I asked. If he said Trace, I would throw up.
Damien laughed again. “Why me, of course.”
Okay, that was actually worse.
My fingers dug into Remy’s shoulders before he could go off.