Chapter Five #2
“He might be.” Braden wasn’t going to lie to Peter. As much as everyone was working overtime to ensure that Lou didn’t get into pack territory, there was a chance that he would anyway. He was smart, and there were no physical boundaries around most of pack territory.
“But he already took too much from me,” Peter continued. “I’m not going to allow him to ruin the beginning of this new chapter in my life. He’s the reason I’m here and have this home. That’s all I’m willing to give him, though.”
Braden understood. He was in awe of how strong Peter was, but he didn’t tell him that. He was starting to get to know Peter, so he knew his mate wouldn’t take that well. Peter didn’t believe that he was strong, but he was wrong. Braden just didn’t want to fight over it. “All right. Let’s go, then.”
He didn’t hesitate when he opened the door. He noticed Peter frown, but he followed Braden out the door, closing it behind them. For a moment, they both stopped and listened to the night.
Braden still wasn’t entirely used to living in the forest, especially at night. Some of the noises he could hear made him jump, even though he knew it was most likely animals. Of course, knowing that Lou was out there wasn’t helping. Any noise could be him.
But like Peter had said, Braden wasn’t going to let Lou deprive either of them of something else. Peter squared his shoulders and straightened his back, then he quickly climbed down the porch steps before turning to Braden.
Braden smiled at him and joined him.
Together, they made their way to Camden and Toby’s house. It wasn’t far, but Braden was still relieved when they finally stood in front of the house. Lou hadn’t ambushed them as they walked. For now, Peter was safe.
Camden quickly opened the door when Peter knocked. He smiled gently and gestured for them to come in.
“I’m glad to see you,” he told Peter. “How have you been? I’m sorry we didn’t get the opportunity to talk yet. Everyone’s been busy.”
Peter snorted. “And there’s the Lou situation.”
“That, too. I’m happy to say that we haven’t seen him again, but I can’t help but wonder how long that’s going to last.”
“Me too, but please, can we not talk about him tonight? I want to have fun, and thinking about him is going to spoil that.”
Camden’s smile widened. “I’d be delighted not to ever talk about your ex-boyfriend again. Why don’t I get you something to drink?”
Peter followed Camden deeper inside the house, leaving Braden there to close the door.
He didn’t mind. In fact, he was glad to see that Peter was comfortable enough to leave his side.
They were growing closer every day, which was probably part of their bond, but it would do Peter good to see someone who wasn’t Braden or Vincent.
It would do him even better to feel like he belonged here.
The pack was his home now, but it was hard for him to truly feel that way when he couldn’t leave his house to meet the people he lived with.
Braden wanted nothing more than for Peter to be happy, which told him everything he needed to know about his feelings for Peter.
He might feel that way because they were mates, but did that matter?
He cared about Peter. That was why he wanted Peter to be happy.
He wanted to be a person Peter could trust and feel safe with, and he was.
Of all the people here, he and Vincent were probably the only ones who could say that Peter completely trusted them.
As comfortable as he was with Camden and the others, he still held himself a little distant, which was understandable but still made Braden angry.
He really hated Lou.
“I remember you making fun of me when I was staring at Pembroke the way you’re staring at him,” a voice drawled.
Braden turned to look at Remi. He rolled his eyes, but by the time he turned back to Peter, he’d disappeared into the kitchen with Camden. Braden frowned a little, making Remi laugh.
“You got it bad,” he commented.
“Oh, you don’t know the half of it,” Braden murmured.
“Maybe not, but I bet I can guess. Welcome to the club, Braden.”
He clapped Braden on the shoulder. Braden blinked at him, wondering what he’d missed. “What club?”
“The club of us humans being completely whipped by our mates. It’s a nice club to belong to.”
Braden leaned closer. “How do you know? I haven’t told you.”
“Well, I didn’t know for sure until now, but you just confirmed it. You’re his mate?”
Braden groaned. “Is it that obvious?”
“Pretty much, but that might be because I know you and I’ve just been through something similar with Pembroke. I know exactly what you’re going through.”
“Well, not exactly, although you and Pembroke had your own challenges.”
“True, but we haven’t had to deal with an angry ex.”
“Just with people who wanted to traffic your mate.”
“It doesn’t mean that what you and Peter are going through isn’t hard. Just because someone has it worse doesn’t mean you don’t have it bad.”
Braden knew that. It still didn’t feel right to complain about Lou when they’d had to rescue Pembroke from traffickers.
“Well, since you’re going to move, too, we’re going to have to find a way to make the business work with both of us here,” Remi said, changing the topic of the conversation.
“I was already thinking about that,” Braden pointed out. “I knew I wanted to move even before meeting Peter.”
“You didn’t live here yet.”
“So? I opened the agency with you because I wanted to help people, but also because I wanted to work with you. You know I don’t have that many friends.
I haven’t taken your leaving very well. It’s lonely.
” Braden shrugged. “As much as I like everyone we work with, it’s not the same.
Besides, I’d like the opportunity to slow down. ”
“Because you want to spend time with your mate.”
“And because I’m not getting any younger.”
Remi laughed. “Stop talking as if you already have one foot in the grave. You’re not that old.”
“I don’t feel old, but some days, it’s hard to deny the fact that I’m not as young as I was before.”
Remi was still smiling. “No one is. I’d love to have you closer, though. I know I’m not the only one.”
“Peter and I haven’t talked about it yet.”
“You will, but I was talking about Pembroke. He’s going to be delighted.”
“Then I will have to move. How can I deny him anything?” Braden wasn’t even kidding.
He loved Remi’s mate as much as he loved Remi.
The man was as sweet as they came, but also resilient and strong.
He’d survived things that would’ve broken most people, and he’d come out of it with a lot of love that he showered Remi with.
How was Braden not supposed to love the guy?
“Well, at least you already have a home and everything. That’s going to make that part of you moving easier. The business is going to make it harder, though.”
“I’m sure that we can make it work if we sit down together.”
“We won’t have a choice, will we? I’m not going to keep you away from your mate.”
“I’m not planning on being away from him.” Especially not when they still hadn’t managed to stop Lou. For now, Braden wasn’t going anywhere. He was where he needed to be.
With his mate.
* * * *
PETER’S CHEEKS HURT from smiling by the time he and Braden left Camden and Toby’s house.
The night air was cool against his skin, and he took a deep breath, feeling lighter than he had in weeks.
The party had been exactly what he’d needed—good food, good people, and hours of conversation that had nothing to do with Lou or Peter’s past or the mess his life had been before coming here.
“That was fun,” he said, glancing at Braden as they started walking down the path toward their house.
“It was,” Braden agreed. “I’m glad you decided to go. You looked happy.”
“I was happy. I am happy.” Peter meant it.
For the first time since everything had happened with Lou, he’d felt like himself again.
He’d laughed until his stomach hurt when Pembroke had told stories about some of Remi’s antics.
He’d talked to Toby for almost half an hour.
He’d managed to relax enough to let his guard down, at least for a little while.
He’d stopped waiting for Lou to turn every corner.
Braden had stayed close all evening, but not in a suffocating way. He’d been there when Peter had needed him, but he’d also given Peter space to interact with everyone else. It had been perfect. Braden had been perfect.
They walked in silence for a few minutes. Peter was hyperaware of Braden beside him, of the warmth radiating from his body, and of how easy it would be to reach out and take his hand. He didn’t, though. Not yet. He was working up to something bigger than hand-holding, but he needed a little time.
Watching Camden and Toby together, seeing the way Remi looked at Pembroke like he hung the moon, and of course Ronan and Vincent, had made something click into place in Peter’s mind. He wanted that. He wanted it with Braden. And more importantly, he was ready to say it out loud.
Well, mostly ready. His heart was hammering in his chest, and his palms were sweating despite the cool night air.
When their house came into view, Peter felt a flutter of nervousness in his stomach. This was it. He was going to do this. He was going to tell Braden that he wanted a future with him, that he wanted to try, even though he wasn’t sure what that looked like yet.
Braden unlocked the door and held it open for Peter, who stepped inside and immediately toed off his shoes. The house smelled like the paint in the living room, but it was already fading. Home. This place was starting to feel like home, and Braden was a huge part of that.
“Do you want some tea?” Braden asked, heading toward the kitchen. “Or water?”
“Tea sounds good,” Peter said, following him. His mouth was dry, and he needed something to do with his hands while he figured out how to start this conversation.