Two Rejects

Chapter 23 - Glorified Babysitter

Sage rolls her eyes, "I think your lack of a bra might be a good idea. Your boobs might cloud his judgement and anger him less."

I can't help but smirk. Sage—our little match maker. "In that case, you're better off giving me the white tank top."

"Now now." Sage let's out a small chuckle, "You don't want him to kill poor Tyler, do you?"

Hearing Tyler's name instantly makes me jump. He's probably in Matthew's office getting a verbal beating. I throw on the pair of leggings, running out the door towards Matthew's office. The last thing I want to do is leave one of my best friends hanging.

Just outside the door, I hear Matthew growling. "You not only disobeyed me but you endangered Mia—the future Luna of this pack. I will take no disrespect from a pup like you, do you understand me, Tyler?"

I quickly rush into the room, Matthew's eyes finding me with grace. He's standing just in front of Tyler like he's been shouting in his face. I'm sure that I only caught a small bit of what he's been saying. Tyler is stoic in the center of the room. His hands folded in front of him, body standing up straight despite his head hanging low in submission. If I didn't know any better, I'd say it looks like military training by the way that Matthew is fuming and how subservient Tyler is—his usual playful demeanor completely gone.

"Stop." I frown, walking up to them and moving myself between Tyler and Matthew. I place my hand on Matthew's bare chest, his breath catching.

I look up at Matthew, "It was my idea to run into the fight. Tyler did nothing wrong."

"He disobeyed me, Mia." Matthew growls—his Alpha quickly showing. His eyes flick to my neck—gaze darkening. "And you got hurt."

"I will not have someone who does not obey or take orders fighting and protecting my pack." Matthew snaps his eyes to Tyler. It only takes me a split second to reason what punishment Matthew wants to impose—banning Tyler from the Trials.

"He took my orders," I narrow my eyes at Matthew. My voice becoming sterner than I intend it to. As much as his aura is making Tyler bow down, I can't possibly imagine letting Matthew's Alpha side get to me. Even though my wolf wants to bow down as well, I don't let her.

"Stop defending him Mia," Matthew growls.

"He's my friend—"

"Exactly," Matthew cuts me off with pure frustration. He runs his hand through his hair, "One of your closest friends is an unmated male. You train with him with no one around. And he disobeyed my direct orders. He didn't even protect you properly, you got hurt. Do you not understand why that makes my wolf furious?"

"I'm perfectly fine." I push his chest back slightly trying to create distance between him and Tyler, who has basically turned into a statue. I can't even hear him breathing. "Tyler saved my life."

"He wouldn't have had to if he just listened to me." Matthew's anger bubbling—breaths intensifying. He's starting to lose his control. I realize now how calm he's been reacting since the woods. Maintaining his composure. Now it's unraveling.

I frown, my own anger starting to simmer. He's overreacting or at least he's acting too emotional. A side of Matthew I've never seen before. "Don't treat me like I'm made of glass," I tell him.

"I know you're not made of glass, but I won't stand here and pretend to support these little training sessions any longer."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I'm fuming.

His voice is flat. "Your tutoring sessions with Tyler are over."

"Like fucking hell they are," I practically shout.