Chapter 46 Once Like Brothers #2
“That’s what brothers are for... we deal with each other’s shit and are there for one another. You were there for me when Dad died, Liam. I won’t forget that... but I still want to punch you,” I said, despite smiling at him.
“No one is stopping you,” he replied, smirking. I shook my head.
“Who would have thought a girl would be the reason for our conflict?” I asked, feeling that stabbing pain inside of me.
“Yeah… I love her… and I know you do, too. So I’m not going to stand in her way.
I’m not an angel who is going to say yeah, I’ll share…
because I really can’t. I have fucking tried to get my head around it.
Considered it even, but I can’t. I won’t expect her to choose me.
I have to deal with the fact that I’m not the only one in the running.
It’s late… I know… it’s really late, and I have a head start, but go for it.
Fight for her if you want to. If she wants you…
I won’t lie and say that I will be happy for you.
I’ll fucking be jealous… but I’ll accept it.
You are my Beta and my brother, Damon. I don’t want that to change.
Even if I’m fucking too late to say it, or maybe I’ve destroyed any hopes of that, to the point of no redemption. ”
My heart was racing, his words echoed in my mind, but it was his remark about Raven that threw me off. Liam didn’t know we had already rejected one another.
Robyn
Last night I wasn’t able to sleep. All I could think about was Damon’s words. They had rejected one another… Goddess.
The flames of hope had leapt up in my chest, but I had squashed them. He had hurt me and then cast me aside. Sure, he was hurt by many, and he had lost a lot… but I was hurting, too. I couldn’t hurt him more and myself, too.
Why was the connection still there? I hated it. I hated how we just couldn’t fall out of love as easily as we fell in it.
I rolled over in bed, staring at the rising sun through the gap in my curtain.
I would never open myself to anyone ever again.
Not until I met my mate. Before that, I needed to get over Damon to be able to even consider a mate.
It wasn’t easy to get over someone as handsome, gorgeous, and loving as him.
In the nicest way possible, I wondered why Raven would choose Liam over him… Damon was far mor-
Stop it.
I pushed the thoughts away and decided to get ready for the day. My morning ritual those days was training, showering, having breakfast, and then going and trying to find something to break this curse. Urgh, why was our pack suffering so much? Even the Battle of Hecate’s Betrayal took place there.
Two hours later, I had showered and dropped onto the bed, staring at the book and listening to music as I looked over my notes. The only thing I could think of was an act that had to come from Liam himself. Genuine and something he had to give… Wait…
A sudden thought came to me, and I jolted upright, staring at the page. Did it mean he had to give up his mate? My heart thumped. I may or may not be right... but I should tell Raven.
In a way, I was glad she had rejected Damon. At least she wasn’t stringing him along. He deserved better than to be treated like that.
Raven? I called through the link.
Hey, Robyn!
She sure had energy. I was aching after training and wouldn’t mind going to sleep again… a nap sounded good right about then.
I had another theory about the curse. I’m sorry I’ve not been of much help, but-
Ooh! I’ll come over. Is that okay?
Sure, I agreed.
Sighing, I leaned back and stared at the ceiling. Damon’s words once again rang in my ears. Rejection… I shouldn’t care.
Raven came soon after, and she held out a box of brownies.
“Luna Red made them,” she said.
“Oh… wow, she makes amazing brownies…” I said, remembering Damon used to share them with me sometimes. “Thanks.”
“You are most welcome…” she said, taking a seat on my bed comfortably. I resisted a smile; Raven would be a good Luna. She was the type of person who made you feel relaxed.
“So… I feel like this is going to be something Alpha Liam needs to figure out for himself… but… I came up with one theory.” I hate this. I wished I had never mentioned it. What if I was wrong and I caused more issues?
“Ouch…” She flinched, doubling over, the brownie falling from her fingertips.
“Raven!” I panicked, my heart thudding as I rushed to her side.
“Aah!” She gasped, her heart racing as her face contorted with pain. I looked around, unsure of what to do. Just when I was about to mind-link Damon, she gasped, letting out a breath.
“Are you alright?” I felt her forehead. She nodded slowly, sitting up, but she was shaking slightly. “Raven… that’s…” I looked at her sharply, my gaze falling to her neck.
“I’m okay!” She said apologetically. “I’m so sorry about your bed!” She quickly began to scoop the crumbs up.
“Raven… have you had that pain before?”
“Yeah, it’s happened a few times recently,” she admitted, brushing her hand through her hair and breathing hard.
“Babe… I think you may be going into heat,” I said hesitantly.
I was sure she was. Something told me she and Liam hadn’t gone to that extent. Her face dropped, her heart thudding as she looked at me.
“Heat... it could be. Please don’t mention this to anyone… I’ll make myself a plan,” she whispered, her heart thumping.
“I don’t think hiding stuff is going to be wise…”
“No, you don’t get it, I... now isn’t the time. If I go into heat, I need to be alone.” She sounded worried.
“How about you link me if you do? Maybe we could have the ice packs ready and stay away from the packhouse.”
“You’ll help me?” She looked surprised.
“Nope, I’m just going to take you far away from the packhouse and kidnap you,” I joked. Actually, not a smart joke, especially with the killer that may or may not still be out there. “Sorry for the bad joke. I’m not a jokey person,” I said apologetically.
“That’s okay. You’re the smart one, I’m the jokey one.” She grinned as if she hadn’t just doubled over in pain moments earlier.
“You’re smart, too,” I said, standing up. “You should tell someone, though. Going into heat... it’s not a joke. Maybe mate before then…” I said. “It might actually be wiser than just coping… but I know the mark wasn’t planned. Whatever you decide, I’m here if you need me.”
“Thanks, Robyn…” She looked conflicted. I saw the flash of guilt and sadness in her eyes, and I knew it was not because of her situation but because of Damon.
“Stop with the face. It’s going to be okay.”
She nodded, and we began to discuss the curse once more, but like always, there were no more answers…
Night had fallen, and it was really late.
I had fallen asleep at eight pm and woke up an hour ago, deciding to have a nice long bath.
It was almost three in the morning, and I had just stepped out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around me as I headed down the hall to my room.
Despite there being several bathrooms, there were still far more people there.
I really wished all the rooms had their own bathrooms. Was there a way to pitch the idea forward?
I turned the corner only to knock into a hard chest. I gasped, stumbling back, my wet feet skidding on the floor, but a pair of strong arms caught me before I fell backwards.
“Easy!”
My heart thudded as my brain registered the scent and touch of none other than Damon himself.
His soft blue eyes were wide as his gaze dipped to my ridiculously small towel that had been pulled down slightly in my moment of stupidity, showing off more than a small amount of breast. He looked away, quickly pulling me upright.
“Sorry. You’re up late,” he said, moving back as if I burned.
“You know I’m a night owl,” I said, fixing my towel, suddenly feeling very bare. My stomach was a mess of nerves, and my heart raced.
“Yeah… uh… night…” he said.
Our eyes met. I knew that it had thrown him off. It had confused me, too… I missed his hold… but it was a one-way thing. He didn’t feel anything for me.
“Night…” I said as he quickly walked off towards the stairs, and I returned to my room, still feeling a little lightheaded…