“Because humans are all the same.”
Kerr's eyes glazed over for a moment, and I could see pain filling his eyes. “Frank, you should know that's not true.”
I leaned forward, placing my hand on my desk. “And you should remember where you stand.”
Kerr ground his teeth together. “I'm Beta. I remember that. I'm aware that I'm not Alpha here, Frank. But it's also my job to let you know when you might be making a mistake. From my standpoint, Nina has done nothing to get treated like she's a villain. She has no reason for you to be treating her like she's committing a crime.”
I ground my teeth together because I knew he was right. She hadn't, but that didn't mean anything. I wasn't going to wait for something to happen to take action. I had to stay one step ahead. The pack needed me to stay vigilant and be aware of any potential threats. I knew she was planning something. I couldn’t waste time when we already had the darkness lurking around.
I stared at my brother, wondering where this side came from. “Since when did you become such an advocate for humans?”
Kerr rolled his eyes, and I watched his shoulders drop. “I'm not. I'm simply stating we need them. She's your wife. Why not try to get along rather than make each other's lives miserable? She seems to be trying to get settled. She's made some friends. She's trying to connect with people here.”
I tapped my pen a few times onto the desk, tilting my head at his statement. “Who? Who exactly has she made friends with?”
“Well, Jillian. They've had lunch three times this week. She's been talking with Chip and Rose as well.”
All the gardeners. They are lesser shifters, but still. Not humans. Not that we had a lot of them in town, to begin with.
Kerr walked closer, placing his hands on my desk. “As your brother, I'm letting you know that if you don't calm your shit, you're gonna fuck this up. I think the last thing we need is the Council on our asses. Why don’t you try being less of an ass and maybe a little nicer.”
I slid my eyes towards him. It was a statement we used. As your brother. Neither of us could use our authority against whatever was stated. It was a rule our father had taught us that he used with his siblings. Often, lines were blurred when you mixed family and business, and this was supposed to help.
I shrugged, trying to act like I didn't care. “Maybe that's my plan. I wouldn't have to be married to a human anymore.”
Kerr made a face, and I knew he was calling my bluff. “So, you're saying you wanna piss off the Council? Does that soundlike a fun time for you? Do you really want Willow and Zed back here?”
I frowned. “You have an annoying mouth on you.”
“Yeah, well, you have a chip on your shoulder and a big ego.” Kerr turned but paused in the doorway before he said, “She's your wife, Frank. Give her a break, for fuck’s sake.”
I turned back to the window and found Nina was alone. She had her back turned to me, but was bent over, smelling some flowers. I pulled myself up and pushed open my window. I wanted to say something, but didn't know what I would say. What did you say to someone you didn’t know?
I knew Kerr had a point. I was being an asshole when I should have been welcoming. My anger got the better of me sometimes, and I needed to keep a cool head. Even if I had reservations about this, the deal was already done. We were married, and we needed to act like a happy couple. Or at least get along.
I rubbed at my eyes, knowing this was going to be hard. I didn’t like change, and I didn’t like letting people in. I kept people at a distance for good reasons.
I turned back and sat down at my desk.
I hunkered down, finished my reports early, and headed home. I knew that Kerr had a point. I had to at least try to be civil with Nina. Even if I didn't want her to be around, she was. So, I needed to at least try.
I arrived home and shrugged my jacket off. I hung it up and made my way down the hallway towards the kitchen. The house was normally quiet, but I found Nina standing in the greenhouse. She was wearing a tank top with shorts now. Shehad on some fuzzy socks and stood in the center sipping on a mug.
My eyes scanned her, landing on her ass. My wolf growled with hunger, and I swallowed. “What are you doing?” I asked. She turned her hair, falling around her shoulder, no longer braided. She looked at me for a second before she looked around the greenhouse.
“I was thinking of putting some plants in here.”
I narrowed my eyes on her. “No.”
She frowned, holding the mug closer to her. “Why not? You're not using the space. It's just empty. It's literally a greenhouse.” She waved her free hand up.
“I like it that way. I like it bare.” I hated the space. It represented my mother, and the emptiness was how it should stay.
I was ready for her to cower and move past it. But she didn't. She clicked her tongue and took a few steps towards me.
“We're married now, so this is also my home, and I should get to make it feel like it. I enjoy plants, and you have a fucking greenhouse attached to the house that you're not using. If you don't have anything you want here, then there is no reason I can't put something here.”
I was a little stunned at her forwardness. I crossed my arms and shook my head. “This is still my house, and you're not going to go around and change a bunch of things.”
