Chapter 19
19
BEN
I thought I was walking into a shitstorm, and I was right.
Ace spent half the evening looking at me like he wanted to murder me. But slowly, his expression has turned more curious than murderous.
When he’s not actively hating me, I find I enjoy his company. I did a bit more research into his past with River’s help, and we found out more about his record.
He was smart with what he did. True to his word, there was never any violence.
From what I could gather, Ace grew up in poverty, just like Devyn.
You do what you must do to survive, and I’ve been lucky enough to not have to make those tough choices.
Ace isn’t the type of person I’m worried about.
I’m more concerned with O traffickers and the people that kidnapped Devyn’s best friends.
Yes, he broke into our apartment’s parking garage, but I would have done the same thing if I could.
He reached Devyn in time using his skills, and it is what it is.
I’m still disgustingly jealous that he got to bite Devyn first, but I’m more ashamed of myself for biting her directly afterwards.
Which is what I put in the letters I wrote her.
I spilled everything to her—including my apology for biting her in a fit of jealousy, for not making it perfect the way she deserved.
I apologized for frightening her with violence, when I know what she grew up with.
I apologized for it all, but didn’t ask for forgiveness.
She will give it if she thinks I deserve it.
“Your cousin is an asshole,” Ace declares, joining me at the bar adjacent to the living room.
“That’s something we can both agree on,” I say, sipping my whiskey.
Apparently, we both enjoy the same brand.
“And you’re closest to him?” Ace says. “Out of everyone else in your family?”
I scoff. “Yup.”
“Wow. I’m really fucking sorry, man.”
I chuckle. “Me, too.”
But I can still feel Ace watching me, even as I turn away from him.
“What?” I ask.
“You’re a good guy,” he mutters. “I’m sorry I broke your oven door.”
I nod. “Thanks.”
“And you’re really fucking good at zombie games.”
“I know.”
That’s actually what changed the mood of the evening. After we figured out our course of action to win Devyn back, the three of us blew off steam playing the ridiculous shooter games Ace purchased. Connor still sucks at them, but he’s marginally better now.
We all still feel like we’re dying, but at least now we’re on the same page.
If Ace is willing to make amends with me, I’m more than happy.
Anything for Devyn.
“You’re cute, too. Actually, you’re kind of hot with your leather jacket.”
I turn to face him, amused. “Are you hitting on me?”
But Ace shakes his head and quirks his lip. “No. Just listing the things I like about you, so we’ll get along better.”
I burst out laughing, despite the ache in my chest from missing my mate. “Yeah. Maybe we just need to play some video games more often, and you’ll just forget that I’m a detective. Suspension of disbelief, and all that.”
He shrugs. “If it works, it works. Also, we have a spare room for you to crash in if you need to.”
“I’d like that.”
Connor returns from his office, nodding. “Everything’s in place. Now we just need to see if she’ll accept it.”
There’s a twinge of hope in my chest, one that I hadn’t dared to feel since before last week when I was convinced the world was ending.
When I sleep in their spare bedroom that night, I realize that this has the potential to become our packhouse, if Devyn wants it to be.
If we can ever get to that point.
* * *
“Ben?” A booted foot taps my side. “Hey. Hey .”
I open my eyes to look up at River, who stares at me like I’ve just grown a second head. “What the fuck are you doing?” he demands.
I look at him wearily, my head throbbing.
I’m on the floor of the detective agency with a pile of papers spilled around me.
“What happened?” I ask groggily.
“You passed out,” another voice, this time not as harsh, replies. “It might be wise to get you to a hospital.”
Landon, Skylar’s other packmate who is also a detective, is staring at me with concern in his eyes.
“No, I’m fine,” I huff, sitting up and staring at the mess on the ground. Brightly colored macarons are also scattered around me.
“Are you sure? Because you scared the shit out of us,” River snaps. “And I’m not helping you up. You knocked over my cookies.”
Landon sighs and extends a hand. “You could be nicer to your cousin, River. He’s obviously not well.”
As I stand, River looks me over, scowling. “He’s not well because he’s being a dumbass and choosing to be away from his girlfriend. He’s making himself sick.”
I look at him in disbelief. “I’m not choosing this,” I snap. “She demanded space after everything.”
My cousin makes a face. “And that’s not doing any of you any good.”
Landon gives me a sympathetic look. “You’re ill because of the distance. The fact that you’re a Beta and it’s affecting you this much says a lot about your character.”
I frown. “Really? What does it say?”
“That you miss her just as much as she misses you.” A new voice enters the conversation, and Skylar steps into the office, her eyes full of concern. “Hey, Ben.” She hugs me, but her scent only makes me miss Devyn, and I release her quickly.
I don’t even want to touch anyone that isn’t my mate.
“How is she doing?” I ask carefully.
I’ll hold on to anything Skylar tells me about her. Devyn sent me a picture of the plush Wilson, and I responded with an I love you , but it’s been silent since then.
She chews her lip. “Terrible. Stubborn. Talks herself out of texting any of you.”
“ Why ?”
Skylar shrugs. “She blames herself for everything, no matter how much April and I tell her not to. She’s struggling, a lot.”
I’m going to be sick. My heart aches, and I’m starting to wonder if we made a mistake.
The space isn’t helping, not in the way I thought it would.
“I understand what you’re doing,” Skylar adds. “She’s terrified of the mating bond, too. Giving her space was the right thing to do, at first. But we’re going in circles with her.”
“It’s making you sick, too, idiot,” River adds. “There’s no reason for you to be away from her.”
“She read your letters,” Skylar says quietly. “They had a huge impact on her, I think. The gifts are thoughtful, too. She knows you love and miss her.”
I turn to Landon, the most rational out of the four of us in the room. “What do you think?”
I’ve always liked Landon. He’s kind, smart, and has the rare talent of looking at most situations objectively.
Landon huffs and cocks his head. “You’re in an interesting situation,” he says slowly. “You’re honoring her wishes, but I think if the distance between the four of you isn’t benefiting her anymore, it’s time to make a change. Frankly, I don’t know how the three of you are surviving without her. When Skylar was missing, it was like I was being poisoned. Nothing had meaning anymore, and it was terrifying. It was something I don’t wish on anyone.”
Skylar’s eyes widen and she beams at Landon while River nods at me. “What he said. What your pack is doing is stupid. Go fix it.”
“Well, that’s one way to put it,” Landon mutters. “You were doing what’s best for your mate at the time, Ben. But now, it’s not good for anyone.”
“And you dropped my cookies everywhere,” River adds, annoyed.
“He’s literally passing out, River. Give him a break,” Skylar says, narrowing her eyes at him. “I can always bake you more.”
“But those were the special ones you make for us,” River adds, his voice low.
There’s a moment of awkwardness in the room. Landon clears his throat while Skylar blushes.
“Do I want to know?” I ask.
River smirks. “Nah.”
But I remember something being mentioned before about what Skylar does with her cookies.
Something…perverted, if I recall correctly.
“It’s not important,” Landon says evenly. “But it is disappointing that those were the ones that spilled.”
There’s another moment of awkward silence, except for River’s snickering.
“ Anyway ,” Skylar adds, “you need to see Devyn as soon as possible and fix all of this.”
I nod. “We have a plan,” I tell them. “But I want to run it by you guys. That’s why I came here.”
“Yeah, I was wondering why you were here on your day off,” River says. “You look like you’ve got the plague.”
Skylar gives him a look. “Be nice, or I’m not making those cookies anymore.”
River scowls at her, then looks at me. “Fine. Tell us your plan.”
I steady myself against River’s desk and tell them the idea that Connor, Ace, and I had.
Landon and River listen intently, and Skylar’s eyes fill with tears.
River nods. “That’s decent,” he says.
“That should work,” Landon adds. “The gestures are very thoughtful.”
Skylar nods enthusiastically. “I’m so happy my friend has you three. It’s such a sweet idea, Ben, I promise.”
“Hey,” River adds. “If you need anything, you just ask. Okay?”
I raise an eyebrow at him.
“Don’t make me say it again. Just…get Devyn back and make her happy. If you need anything from me, tell me.”
I continue to stare at him, bewildered.
“Stop,” he growls, “or I’ll take it back.”
For the first time in days, I have a feeling that everything might be all right.
All we have to do is not mess this up.