Chapter Forty-TwoEvan
Chapter Forty-Two
Evan
“ H ey, Love.” Brennan stood close, his pine scent intensifying, jacket off, shirt partially unbuttoned, tie sticking out of his pocket.
But he didn’t touch me. I could feel the anguish, the remorse, rolling off the bond.
“I’m still mad at you.” Trying to make a mad face, I poked him in the chest, resisting the urge to fall into his arms, and forgive him with no discussion.
A pained look crossed his face. “Please don’t be. I’m sorry. I was a huge asshole to you and Grace. This is hard for me. But, I should handle my shit and not take it out on others. I called my therapist.”
“Good. I’ve been texting mine. Obviously both of us still have issues to work through,” I said, proud that he’d done it.
“I…” He took a deep breath. “I’ll stop blocking the integration team. I didn’t want her to integrate, so I didn’t see a point in cooperating. But also, I never meant to hurt anyone. I was sort of hoping that if I ignored her, she’d remember her life and go back to where she came from.”
I took a step forward, so we were almost touching. “I know. But people still got hurt.”
It was hard to get the image of her huddled under the bed out of my head.
“Please, get things going. Our file was flagged because you’re dragging your feet, and we don’t need that,” I told him.
“I know.” His head bowed. “How much is her spiral going to affect the case?”
“She never mentioned it when I had her checked out at the clinic yesterday. Grace wasn’t raised thinking that she was an omega–or even really knew that she was a gamma–so she doesn’t understand a lot of things. But I’m sure the doctor figured out something is up from her hormone levels,” I replied.
He rubbed his clean-shaven chin. “That’s bad.”
“Yep. Look, she loves Wes, and the best place for her is with him, which means she’s stuck with us . We need to create a space for her in this pack,” I admonished, hoping he and I would finally get to a place of understanding.
He took my hands in his, heat spreading through me at the contact. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to tear apart the pack. I don’t want to lose you. The last thing I’d ever want to do is put you in a place where you have to choose between me and Wes.”
“I really don’t want to do that.” Because I loved them both.
“I’m unsure about this–bringing someone new into the pack. I don’t know Grace at all. She’s this little wispy, capricious, force of nature, and the unpredictability terrifies me.” He exhaled sharply and tipped his forehead to mine, still holding my hands.
“I hear you. Change is scary.” That was quite an admission on his part.
“There’s also… I can’t help but feel like there’s something still off about Grace.” His brow furrowed.
“Grace’s story is complicated, and I’m sure she’ll share it with everyone in time,” I replied. “She and Wes still have a lot to work out.” At some point, we’d have to explain everything to everyone if we were going to make this work.
“What if we bring her in, accept her, and eventually she leaves because they’re irreconcilable?” Brennan pushed. “Mates still have issues. Being soulmates doesn't automatically mean a relationship will work.”
“Cynical much, Bren?” My eyebrows rose.
But he had a point. Relationships were work. A bite and a bond weren’t the magic fix many thought it was.
“You’re right, opening your heart to love also means opening your heart to heartbreak,” I added.
“I don’t want her to break your heart,” he murmured.
So much came through the bond–like worry.
Putting my head on his shoulder, I brought our bodies together, wrapping my arms around him, the fabric of his shirt soft against my bare chest. “I don’t want her to break my heart either, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to love her.
I’m not going to stop loving you. Sure, I enjoy doing things with her– going to the spa was fun.
But I’m not going to stop spending time with you and Jett. Promise.”
He buried his face in my hair. “I’m going to hold you to that.”
“Please do. I don’t want to slight anyone inadvertently.”
“I missed you tonight.” His erection pressed into my leg, his hands running down my bare back.
I looked up so our faces touched, breathless as his alpha pheromones put my cock on high alert. “The night’s not over yet.”
“We’re good?” He pressed his body into me, his hands resting on my ass, as he nibbled on my ear.
“We’re good, just try, please. Also, let her know you don’t hate her?” My eyes closed, and I ground into him, my need increasing.
He trailed kisses down my neck, his arousal intensifying. “Fine. Now, what do you need?”
Desire consumed me. “You, Alpha. I need you.”
He took my hand. “I need you, too. Let’s go to bed.”