Chapter 6
Madi
The island is incredible. Brick and I spend the next day exploring the natural beauty–hiking to the highest points to take in the incredible views in the morning then taking sea kayaks out through the natural stone arches in the afternoon. I saw a pod of dolphins. Brick made love to me out on the golden beach, bringing me to orgasm after orgasm until I scarcely remembered my name.
Tonight, he took me in a boat to a restaurant on Corfu.
It’s all been so magical, but we haven’t addressed anything real.
Not my job. Nor his pack. We haven’t discussed what life will look like for the two of us when we leave this beautiful island and go back to reality. The problem-solver in me can’t stand the avoidance of said reality.
And yet I’m reluctant to ruin the fantasy. I’ve never been so pampered, so doted on. I’ve never felt this kind of luxury and believed I deserved it or that it was for me.
And I still don’t. But something in me is willing to pretend for the moment.
Maybe I just need a break from all the drama and trauma of the last few weeks.
When we get back to the island, though, I sense things change. Brick goes back into Big Bad Boss mode as we walk back to our building. His expression becomes a stern mask. His demeanor grows more powerful, more distant.
He’s holding my hand but isn’t present.
“What is it?” I ask.
“I have to go away for a couple of days.”
A bucket of ice water dumps over my head. “What? Where? Why?”
Brick hesitates, and I pull my hand out of his and stop walking.
“Brick?”
“I’m going to Sweden for the Winter Pack Games.”
My stomach knots up. “When did you plan on telling me?”
Brick winces. “Now. I planned on telling you now.”
“So what? I go back to New York alone?”
“You’ll stay here for a few days until I get back. I was thinking–your mom and Brayden are still on their winter breaks, right? I could send the jet to get them.”
My eyes and nose get hot. As much as I would love to share all this luxury with my hard-working family, there’s nothing about this scenario that doesn’t stink.
“What are these games? Why do you have to go?”
Brick grows even more stiff. “They are mating games. A chance for single wolves to show off their prowess and catch the scents of available she-wolves.”
My stomach draws up so tight, I feel like puking. “Mating games?”
“I’m obviously not going for that purpose.”
“For what purpose are you going?” I blink hard to keep back the angry tears.
“To show my pack their leader is still strong and capable. That I’m not moon mad.”
“By entering these games?”
He nods.
My voice gets deathly quiet. “As a single wolf or as a mated wolf?”
His silence is the worst possible answer. “I will never look at or touch another female, Madi. You are my mate. But everything is breaking and blowing up right now, and I’m not sure my leadership could withstand revealing I’ve mated a human just yet.”
Betrayal rips through me. Shreds my insides with a million tiny forks.
But I refuse to listen to my emotions. Logic is my only friend here. I do actually believe Brick when he says he won’t look at or touch another female, and if I take away the searing pain of inadequacy and rejection, there’s a problem at the heart of this that needs to be solved.
“When are you leaving?” I’m proud of how even I keep my voice.
“Now.”
I nod jerkily. “Go then.”
Brick reaches for me, but I pull away. “I love you, Madi.”
I blink hard. “Go.”
“I’ll be back as soon as I can. Send the jet for your family or Aubrey–whoever you like–but don’t leave the island. I need to know you’re safe while I’m gone.”
I walk away without answering. If I spoke now, it wouldn’t be well-thought out. My emotions would be leading. I don’t have the spaciousness to unpack my own insecurities about this relationship.
I need to dig into this pack leadership situation and get all the facts. Arrange and rearrange them in my mind until they make sense, and I find a solution.
It’s either that… or walk away.
Permanently.