Page 134 of Brutal Reign
I jerk a nod, holding his stare. “You and I both know that if Ace comes in here, he’ll just give me a pep talk, and that’s not what I need right now. I need someone to be honest with me and not sugarcoat things just to make me feel better. Someone who will give it to me straight even if it hurts my feelings. That’syou.”
He dips his chin in affirmation, pushing the door closed behind him. Eating up the distance between us in long strides, he steps right into my space, so close that I have to tip my head back to maintain our eye contact. “Ask me anything,” he prompts, trailing his palms up my arms and resting them on my shoulders.
I swallow thickly as I stare up at him. “Do you really think I can win this?” I ask, forcing the words past the lump in my throat.
He cocks a brow. “That’syour question?”
I nod.
“Fuck yeah I think you can,” Seb scoffs, his lips turning down in a frown. “In fact, Iknowyou can. We’ve sparred together how many times now, and even though my wolf’s a beast, yours can knock him on his ass. There’s no doubt in my mind that you’re capable of winning against JakefuckingDecker.”
I release a long exhale, the conviction in his response soothing my jangling nerves. It probably doesn’t hurt that his mere presence calms me. In hindsight, ditching my mates to meditate might’ve been the wrong call.
“Get out of your own head and just focus on the challenge,” Seb continues in a softer tone, rubbing his thumbs against the marks at the base of my neck on either side. “Your wolf is integrated now, so you’re in control. You don’t have to worryabout her going off script or hurting any innocent bystanders. All you have to do is get out there and show Jake what you’re made of. He fights dirty, but don’t stoop to his level. Fight clean, as an Alpha should, and you’ve got this in the bag, baby.”
Every word he speaks is like a brick added to the wall of my confidence, his grounding touch the mortar.He’s right.I know I can win this. I just need to trust myself and do what needs to be done.
“You good?” Seb questions, arching a dark brow.
“Yeah, I think so,” I sigh, a smile curving my lips. “Thanks, Seb.”
“Anytime.”
“I guess you can send Ace in for his pep talk now,” I chuckle.
He leans down to capture my lips, stealing my soul with a filthy hot kiss. His arms band around me as his tongue writes promises against my own, making my heart race and my toes curl. Seb always kisses me like it’s the last time he’ll get to, and I hope that never changes.
He grins against my mouth as he breaks our kiss, pulling back to gaze upon me with wicked intent. “Can’t wait to celebrate your victory tonight,” he drawls, sliding his hands down to squeeze my butt. “I get your ass this time.”
A shiver of anticipation ripples through me, my heart stuttering a beat.
Seb winks as he turns on a heel and heads for the door, leaving me panting for more. As if I didn’t already have enough motivation to crush Jake beneath my heel, that just solidified my resolve.
I’m only alone for a few minutes before Ace makes his appearance, an easy smile stretching his lips when he saunters into the room.
“Hey, babygirl,” he drawls as he heads straight for me, my gaze snagging on a black smear on the back of his palm.
I catch his hand as he reaches out, pulling it closer for further inspection. “Is that engine oil?” I question suspiciously.
“Yeah, I was talking to your dad and he roped me into helping him with his bike.”
“Of course he did,” I snort, rolling my eyes as I let go of his hand. “What’d you two talk about?”
“You, mostly,” Ace replies with a casual shrug. “He read me the riot act about what’ll happen if either of us hurt you, which was basically just a list of all the ways he could get away with murder. It was impressively long, actually.”
I heave a sigh, scrubbing a hand over my face. “Sounds like my dad.”
“You should go talk to him.”
“I don’t know, we’re both pretty stressed right now,” I mutter. “It’d probably just turn into a fight.”
Ace takes my chin between his thumb and forefinger, tipping it up until I meet his eyes. “I think both of you will feel a whole lot better going into tonight if you clear the air,” he reasons, trapping me in his ocean-eyed stare. “Give him a chance, he may surprise you.”
I roll my lower lip between my teeth, blinking back at him for a long moment. “Yeah, okay,” I finally concede. “But if this goes to shit, then I’m definitely gonna need that pep talk.”
He grins, leaning in to smack a kiss on my lips before sliding an arm around my shoulders and guiding me toward the door. As apprehensive as I am to face my dad right now, it’s about time the two of us have a long overdue conversation. Though we exchanged pleasantries when the boys and I showed up here at the packhouse this morning, aside from that, I’ve been steering clear. If I’m honest with myself, I’m not sure which I’m afraid of more– somehow losing this challenge, or disappointinghim.
Ace stops off in the living room to join Seb in front of the TV, while I continue down the hall to the garage, my heart thuddingharder with every step. As soon as I open the door, I spot my dad bent over his bike, tinkering away. He swivels on his stool to glance my way, the corner of his mouth ticking up when our eyes meet.