Broken

h a p p y b i r t h d a y

The week passed slowly and there was no sight of any of Easton's men; it was as if they had given up completely. The guards were tired and everyone was on edge, especially Weston. We hadn't been talking much or spent any time together. He had me stay with Kate, Liam, and two of the guards while he ran patrol with the others during the day. And then at night I would hide in my room. My wolf was getting stronger and it was almost impossible to ignore her as she pleaded for me to at least talk with him. Watching him lead yet another meeting about my safety, my resolve was starting to crack. Charley sighed, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"It's been a week; the men need a break."

Weston's jaw tightened and I could see the confusion and debate going on inside his head before he finally came to a decision. "We can't take that risk."

"Move them into more shifts with less men?"

"There is too much land to cover, we can't have less men without risking someone slipping through."

Tyler exhaled sharply, just as tired as the rest. "They can't do this for much longer, they need time to rest or they will not be effective when they do encounter Easton's men."

"Fine." Weston gave in, knowing his Beta had a point. "Send half of them back in to rest and Tyler and I will pick up the slack for the day. But Charley you need to stay with Kate and Tianna, they don't leave the house today, not with half the patrol missing."

Grumbling, I crossed my arms. "Let me run patrol, I can help. I am a Beta for goddess sake! My wolf is bigger than Tyler's."

"No." Weston shook his head but wouldn't look at me. "You stay here and watch over Kate and Liam."

Rolling my eyes, I scoffed. "Charley can handle that with the other guards. At least release the guards as well."

"Stop fighting me on everything, for once just trust my judgment. I do know what I'm doing."

"No doubt in my mind you know what you're doing but you don't seem to think I can handle myself and that pisses me off. Does your wolf like being doubted?"

"No."

"Yeah, same here. Yet that's all you do is doubt me."

He rolled his eyes, dismissing me again. "Stop being so dramatic. I'll see you tonight. Have Kate or Charley link me if you need anything and don't leave the house."

Before I could fight him on the topic, he stormed out of the front door with Tyler hot on his heels. Kate sat down on the couch beside me.

"It's how he shows his love."

"What?"

"Locking you up and keeping you here is how he shows his love."

"It doesn't show me love at all. It shows doubt and disrespect."

"From where you're sitting maybe but try and see it from his perspective."

Relaxing back into the couch, I looked at her. "You'll have to help me with that one."

"To Weston, this is all his fault. He shoulders you being in danger and he wants to do everything in his power to keep you safe and away from harm's way. If you were in his position wouldn't you want to do everything you could to keep him safe?"

"Yeah but he's being too dominating, if he ever wants me to trust him, he has to work with me not against me or for me. It's a team effort."

Her smile brightened. "You're smarter than you look."