“Amelia disapproves of your remarks,” she conveyed to him candidly.
“Why?” he enquired, his brow furrowed once more.
Daisy shrugged, confident that her wolf disapproved of his due to her continued affection for Hudson.
Amelia had purred for Hudson and Caelan upon learning that he was their Mate. She had immediately expressed her happiness. Daisy, however, doubted that disclosing this information to the Alpha would be well-received, so she chose to remain silent.
He exhaled, “Very well. She is likely perplexed by the existence of two Mates. I, however, am not bewildered, Daisy. I am certain of my desires.” His lips met hers abruptly and forcefully, his hands firmly grasping her face to prevent her from retreating.
Her eyes widened in astonishment at his abrupt shift in demeanour; his tongue invaded her mouth the moment she gasped in surprise, prompting Amelia to immediately snarl at him and the force he exerted.
Daisy was abruptly forced onto the bed. She attempted to resist him. “Mine,” he growled, his lips leaving hers to graze her neck.
Amelia snarled genuinely, her claws extended, yet she discovered her hands restrained by his, utilising his Alpha strength to secure them above her head.
“She realised he intended to mark her, overpowering both her and Amelia with his wolf, Mason,” she screamed in panic.
Alpha Kaiden possessed significantly greater strength than her, his mouth caressing her marked spot, preparing it for his impending bite. Suddenly, he vanished, forcibly detached from her, and she was abruptly lifted from the bed, feeling the IV tear from her arm as she was swiftly extracted from the room she occupied.
She found herself pressed against the wall, a body positioned in front of her, arms on either side. She raised her gaze to identify the individual, as events had transpired rapidly, revealing Cullen, Mason’s father, staring down at her.
“You are fine, Daisy; I have you covered.”
Her gaze shifted back to the room from which she had been extracted; it was tumultuous and hostile, a full-scale Alpha-on-Alpha confrontation occurring within. She discerned additional snarls and growls emanating from behind Cullen. Although she could not see, she recognised Caelan’s presence by his scent. Redirecting her attention to Cullen, she exclaimed, “Mason is battling an Alpha.” Panic surged within her at the realisation. Why had she summoned him? It was a foolish decision.
“The priority is locating Daisy; he possesses Alpha lineage to recall. Remain composed; Joe is capable of managing him, I assure you.”
“Joe will be perfectly fine. I assure you. By merely subduing Alpha Kaiden, everything will be satisfactory. My son is capable of managing anyone.” He expressed immense pride in his son.
“He will suffer due to my actions.”
She could only nod, yet her anxiety persisted. It was her instinct to summon Mason for assistance, and now he was in that room confronting an Alpha wolf on her behalf; she would have to learn to refrain from calling for him.
“I will take her, Cullen,” stated Alex.
“I possess her, Rick,” Cullen stated rather brusquely.
“I am the Gamma; surrender her.”
“Do you wish to confront me regarding this matter? I possess her. I will ensure her safety, I assure you.”
“She is my obligation,” Alex retorted sharply.
“Perhaps. However,” he snarled, “I possess her. Accept it.”
The goddess implored the former Beta and the current Gamma to refrain from conflict. “Cease immediately,” she murmured, “all of you, cease.” It was overwhelming. She desired no one to contend for her favour.
Mason’s Perspective
Observing Daisy awaken and abruptly begin to mutilate her own back while vociferously demanding the removal of her mark inflicted emotional pain beyond the physical, as he sensed the harm she was inflicting upon herself. The mark symbolised their bond; thus, her desperate plea for its eradication was perplexing.
He attempted to soothe her, as he had consistently done in the past. To prevent her from inflicting harm upon herself, only to have her retaliate with ferocity, tearing at the mark on his arm, and then vociferously demanding that he distance himself from her; her intent was palpable, and he could discern the anguish in her voice.
This was the first instance in his life that Daisy had rebuffed him and his assistance. It was profoundly painful, nearly intolerable. He could not comprehend it.
Caelan was attempting to prevent her from inflicting harm upon herself. She was not calming down easily. She was striking Caelan with considerable force, yelling at him to remove it from her.
There was an underlying issue he was unaware of, yet he felt compelled to uncover it in order to assist her.
He did not desire her to refrain from seeking his assistance. Mason was distressed by her condition, witnessing her self-infliction of harm. Caelan exerted considerable effort to restrain her and soothe her, ultimately leading her to cease her resistance. She eventually sat, clinging to him and weeping uncontrollably, her anguish palpable, washing over him in waves. He recognised that Caelan also sensed her pain, evident in his pained expression.
Once she attained tranquilly, she mentally communicated with Cole to inform Alpha Kaiden of her awakening, adhering to the established protocols. Kaiden had effortlessly retreated to his quarters, suggesting that remaining in the hospital for Daisy’s revival was not to his liking. This was peculiar, as it raised the question of what Mate would abandon their unconscious counterpart in a medical facility to retire for the night.
He departed on the stipulation that he would be informed the moment she regained consciousness, allowing him to descend so she could detect his presence. This was the closest it would come; he had more pressing matters to address upon her awakening.
She observed her inhaling Caelan’s scent and heard her exhale contentedly, pressing her face into the man’s chest as his aroma enveloped her, bringing her tranquilly and awareness. It is characteristic of Mates to desire to immerse themselves in each other’s fragrance. It was endearing to witness her reaction. Mason had heard that it was an unparalleled olfactory experience. He continued to hope that he would one day have the opportunity to experience it himself.
Caelan observed her response to his scent with a genuine smile, displaying true happiness as she embraced him, after which he spoke to her.
What he had long desired to convey to her.
She gazed upward at him. Mason was unable to discern her expression from this distance. However, he could certainly hear Amelia purring loudly.
Daisy’s wolf was elated to have both Hudson and Caelan gazing down at her. However, it was evident that Daisy was at a loss for words. Mason believed Caelan could have exercised greater tact; informing her that further surprises awaited her, he ought not to have sighed audibly. Observing her immediate attempt to withdraw from him, Amelia ceased her purring as well. Both assumed Caelan would reject them. The fool required more diplomacy.
