Chapter 180

As my supposed mate, he should want to protect me. It was a primal instinct, but he mostly fought against it. He’d done nothing to make my life easier other than that one time he’d told Shade to guard me.

All this time, it was his brother who took care of me.

“Thanks for the talk, which was amazing and utterly inspiring, but I’m done here,” I said and rose.

Sideburns’ eyes burned silver as his anger bled through. Power rippled off him and slammed into me.

“Sit,” he ordered.

An invisible force slammed into me, and I tumbled back onto the chair. He’d used his alpha power on me.

Prick.

I might be able to counter him, though I wasn’t entirely sure. So far, my

own powers were a wild card, but it wasn’t worth it to test them against this asshole for a small matter and possibly reveal more of myself to him.

So I sat there and stared at him, my face blank.

 I didn’t show any submission, but I didn’t rebel against him either. I was trying a new strategy. Let’s give him a zombie and see how this jerk dealt with it.

He didn’t gloat but sighed.

“Why must you fight me at every turn, Pip?” he asked wearily.

“I wasn’t fighting you. I’m tired and hungry,” I said, anger shimmering

in me. “You keep asking me the same pointless questions that I have no answers for. Why torment me like this? Either you take me in as I am or kick me out.”

I paused. “In fact, I’d prefer it if you kicked me the hell out so I can go my own way. But if you want info, here’s all I can give you.” I raised a finger, readying myself to be a better liar. “I am from rural North California. As a girl who was raised in a small, isolated human town, I don’t know much about the world, let alone you supernaturals. Two, I was lost when I ventured into the mages’ territory, not knowing anything about them. That was when misfortune struck. It seemed everyone was looking for young women, for what purpose is beyond me. Since I happen to be one of those, they gave chase. Fate really must hate me because she keeps putting me in the path of all the wrong kinds of people.”

I was surprised that the words had just flowed from me like that, which proved once again that I didn’t have a broken mind, despite the fact that I had no memories other than a glimpse of my tormented past.

“We aren’t the wrong crowd, Catnip,” Shade protested, appearing hurt.

“I didn’t mean you, Canary,” I said. “I meant everyone else.” I purposefully brushed off Sideburns’ displeased scowl, though he also looked surprised, as if he hadn’t expected me to be so eloquent.

I waved a hand as if to dismiss a thought. “I can’t remember more. I probably suffered a concussion and memory loss after I fell from the waterfall. So, sir, I’ll be forever grateful if you release me and let me find my way back to my rural home.”