Chapter Three
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PETER GLANCED AT THE house around him. It was nice, although as Camden had said, it needed renovations. Peter could see how beautiful the house would be once someone gave it a little love, and it made his heart ache.
It wouldn’t be him. He might be moving in for now, but this was temporary, just like Braden’s presence was temporary.
Peter couldn’t believe he was moving in with his mate.
He shook his head. Braden didn’t know that he was Peter’s mate, and Peter intended to keep things that way, at least for a little while.
He didn’t know Braden. He only knew that the man had volunteered to babysit him and protect him from Lou, and while that was nice, that didn’t mean that Peter could trust him.
He wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to trust anyone ever again except for Vincent.
Vincent had proved himself for years, so Peter knew he was safe, but he expected everyone else to dump him eventually.
Things would get too complicated, maybe too dangerous with Lou coming after him, and Camden and the others would decide that Peter wasn’t worth the risk.
Peter wouldn’t blame them. They didn’t have a reason to protect him.
They’d welcomed him, and they were saying all the right things, but when it came down to it, Peter was just a guy.
The pack and the people who’d lived here for a long time came first, as they should.
But Peter was grateful for the protection right now. He was even more grateful for the fact that Vincent and a few other people had gone to his apartment to get his things. He hadn’t wanted to go in case Lou was there, but from what Vincent had said, Peter’s ex had been nowhere to be seen.
Vincent hadn’t gone into any details about what state they’d found his apartment in, and Peter hadn’t asked.
He didn’t want to know. He was sure that Lou hadn’t taken his disappearance well, but there was no reason for him to worry about Lou’s reaction, not anymore.
They weren’t together, so Lou’s reaction was Lou’s problem, not Peter’s.
The only thing Peter cared about was that he had most of his stuff with him now, which meant that he was surrounded by boxes.
Peter sighed. Even with his stuff here, he wouldn’t fill the house. He’d been living in a tiny apartment before. He didn’t have enough furniture or anything else. Camden had told him not to worry, though, so he wasn’t going to.
He wasn’t going to worry about this, anyway.
There was no way for him to stop worrying about Lou and what he was up to, unfortunately.
It was good that he hadn’t been at the apartment, but that made Peter wonder what he was plotting.
Lou had to know Peter was here, but he was too smart to do something stupid and try to barge into pack territory without some planning.
“They’re not going to open themselves, you know,” Braden gently teased as he walked in, carrying a potted plant that Peter had never seen.
Peter cocked his head at it. “Who did you steal that from?”
“I didn’t steal it,” Braden said with a wide smile. “Toby gave it to me.”
Peter stared at it for a while longer. It was a nice plant, but he wasn’t sure what to do or say. “I’ll thank him the next time I see him.”
“I’m sure he’ll be happy about that. Where do you want me to put it?”
“Wherever you want. This is your home, too.”
For some reason, Braden’s smile widened. “It is. I think it would look great here in the living room.”
Peter gestured at the room they were in. “Be my guest.”
He watched Braden look around, trying to find the perfect place for the plant. He wasn’t surprised when Braden chose a spot near the windows. He settled it against the wall, then took a step back to look at it.
“That should do it for now,” he said with a satisfied nod. He turned to Peter. “Now, do you need help emptying these boxes?”
Peter shook his head. “I’ll do it eventually.”
“All right. I won’t push you.”
No one was pushing Peter. That didn’t mean that Peter didn’t hate the situation he was in.
He’d liked his apartment. It had been small, but it had been his, and he’d felt safe there until Lou had barged into his life.
He’d had to give it up because of Lou, and he hated that.
He also kind of hated that he hadn’t been the one to choose this place.
Camden had offered him several houses, and Peter had chosen the one he preferred, but he still felt like he was being forced into this, and he was.
Lou was the one forcing him into this. Lou was the reason this mess was happening, and Peter fucking hated him.
His anger was all for Lou, but sometimes, it was hard not to take it out on the people around him.
He wanted to scream and yell that this was unfair.
He wanted to have a real choice. Instead, he did what he had to do.
He was here because he had to be. He was in this house because it was safer for him.
His life still revolved around Lou, even though he’d left him, and he hated that.
Something brushed against his elbow, making him jump.
He turned, his heart racing, to see Braden standing closer than he’d been before.
Braden raised his hands, probably to show that he wasn’t dangerous, but Peter couldn’t handle the panic surging in him.
He knew that Braden wasn’t going to hurt him, but he couldn’t help his reaction.
“Stay away from me,” he snapped.
If Braden was hurt, he didn’t show it. He quickly took a step back, putting more space between them. “Sorry about that,” he said in a gentle tone that made Peter feel like an asshole. “I didn’t mean to scare you. I was just asking about dinner, and you weren’t answering.”
Peter swallowed. “I don’t care about dinner.”
“I understand.”
“No, you don’t,” Peter yelled at him. He regretted it almost instantly, but he couldn’t keep the words in.
“How could you get it? Look at you. Have you ever been in danger of anyone hurting you? You’re strong, stronger than I could ever be.
You wouldn’t have let Lou hurt you. You wouldn’t let anyone hurt you. ”
“None of this is your fault, Peter,” Braden said soothingly.
Unfortunately, that only made Peter angrier. “I didn’t ask for your opinion. I don’t need you to tell me that I’m strong or whatever. I know what I am, and you don’t have a say in it.” Peter shook his head. “I shouldn’t have agreed to this. I should’ve stayed with Vincent.”
For a second, Braden looked hurt. Peter wondered why he felt that way.
He didn’t know they were mates. He couldn’t feel it because he was human.
Why was he hurt, then? Was it because he was helping Peter and felt like Peter should at least be polite to him?
He wouldn’t be wrong. Peter couldn’t believe what was coming out of his mouth.
He was appalled by his reaction, but he didn’t know how to stop himself.
He was lashing out in a way he’d never allowed himself to do with Lou, and part of him realized it was because he knew that with Braden, he was safe.
Braden wouldn’t hurt him because of what he was saying.
He wouldn’t hurt him for any reason, unlike Lou.
Sure enough, Braden just stood there, watching Peter. Lou would have already reached for Peter and given him a good shake, maybe even slapped him. Braden didn’t move, though. He didn’t even tell Peter to shut up. He didn’t threaten him.
He gave Peter the space he needed and that he hadn’t had until now, just like any good mate would.
Just like any good person would.
Peter’s breathing was ragged, his hands trembling at his sides. The silence stretched between them. Braden’s gaze held nothing but patience and concern, no trace of the anger or disgust Peter had been bracing himself for. It made something crack inside him, just a little.
“I’m sorry,” Peter whispered, the fight draining out of him as quickly as it had come. “I shouldn’t have—”
“You have nothing to apologize for,” Braden interrupted gently. “You’ve been through hell. You’re allowed to be angry. You’re allowed to lash out. I’m not going anywhere, Peter. Not because I have to stay, but because I want to stay.”
The words settled over Peter. He didn’t know what to say, so he said nothing at all. Braden wouldn’t force him to speak. He wouldn’t force him to do anything.
* * * *
brADEN WASN’T OFFENDED by the way Peter was talking to him.
He knew how it felt to feel like your life was out of control, like there was nothing you could do to make it better.
Peter couldn’t see it right now, but he was doing the right thing.
The mess with his ex wouldn’t last forever, and while it would take time for Peter to heal, once Lou was out of his life, he’d be able to carry on.
He’d be in control again, and he would have a chance to be happy.
Right now, though, he needed space, so Braden left him in the living room.
There was a small office next to it that Braden had already claimed as his.
He didn’t know how long he’d be in pack territory, but for now, he needed the space.
Luckily, Camden had come through when Braden had explained what he’d need.
The house had been empty, but it wasn’t anymore.
Camden had found furniture somewhere, and between that and Peter’s stuff, the house felt a little lived in already.
It wasn’t a lot, but it was better than moving into an empty house.
At least Braden had a desk and a chair in his office, something he definitely needed.