Saving Grace by Anita Cox Page A

apologize. “I’m sorry, Xander. Please don’t take that as a threat. I wouldn’t hurt you. Not really. I mean, I was mad at you for walking up on us like that, but I wouldn’t have…”
    He smiled and nodded. “Told me you were serious enough.”
    She kept her mouth shut as they drove down the lane to the pack house. Her heart thudded in her chest. She was mad at Roman for interrupting, for talking over her, and not letting her handle herself. She was an independent woman and he was going to get out of the stone ages if she had to drag him kicking and screaming.
    Xander put the car in park and shut down the engine. “Grace, before you get out of the car…”
    She released the door handle and gave her his full attention.
    “Thank you. That was pretty bad ass.”
    She smiled and nodded. “Let’s try to get along a bit better. I lost my parents. I might understand you more than you know. I’m not saying we’ll be best friends or anything—but common ground would be nice. And no more walking up on me during intimate moments. That was an asshole move.”
    He nodded. “Deal.”
     
     
     

Fourteen
     
    Grace’s door opened before she could do it herself. Roman stood there seething, eyes glowing golden.
    “Move,” she ordered. Her anger wasn’t a measured response. She was angrier than she should be.
    “You want to tell me what that was about?”
    “You want to get the fuck out of my way so I can get out of the car?” She stood, forcing him to step back.
    “What the hell did I do wrong?”
    Colin grabbed Xander’s arm and pulled him toward the house.
    “Come on, man. I want to see this,” he whined.
    “Inside. Now.” Colin ordered.
    The cool night breeze blew her curls forward. “I can think and talk for myself. You kept answering for me, talking for Gustav and interrupting. That’s just down right fucking rude.”
    He growled.
    “Do not growl at me!” She turned her back to him and started off toward the house. “You’re the one acting like a jackass.”
    “Grace. Stop.” His tone wasn’t commanding. It was pleading.
    She spun on her heel and crossed her arms over her chest. “What?”
    “Don’t be mad at me. It’s not my fault that all I want to do is protect you. It’s nature.” He took a few tentative steps toward her. “We try very hard not to offend the Vampires. They’re old and powerful. Our kinds were at war for centuries before we finally found peace. You’re not accustomed to the etiquette and…”
    “Roman, Jesus-Fucking-Christ, don’t you think they know? They know I’m not accustomed to the pomp and circumstance. They know I’m not going to kiss their ass. Most of all, they’re showing me more respect than you are.” She waved her arms in frustration.
    Roman rubbed his forehead. “Grace, it’s not just that. What you did tonight to those men, was just wrong .”
    “No. It was the opposite of wrong. They were bullying Xander. He’s our pack mate. Right? Isn’t it our duty to protect him. Speaking of that why didn’t you do something. You’re the Beta, for fuck sake.” She poked him in the chest. He stepped back with a look of surprise in his eyes.
    Grace’s temper was at its peak. She wanted to rip something to shreds. She was angry with Roman and she hated it.
    *
     
    Grace’s words ripped through him. Why didn’t he protect Xander? The answer was almost hard to swallow. He’d been too obsessed with his intended mate, he let his duties slide. No Alpha would do such a thing.
    Maybe I’m not Alpha material.
    “Make her ours. Seal the deal. She’ll know how you’re feeling.”
    He ignored his wolf’s suggestion. It was too early for bonding. She wasn’t ready, she’d already said as much.
    “I was too worried about you acting crazy.” Shit. You just called her crazy.
    “Excuse me?” She threw her purse on the ground and stomped toward him. “What did you say?”
    “Grace, you were all over the place. You were disrespectful to our hosts. You