Chapter 4 #3
“He says he’s the master of the universe?” she asked, laughter in her voice.
Jesse nodded. “Uh huh. I have to say it or he won’t quit tickling me.”
Gina snorted then. “I see. So that means you only say it under duress.”
Jesse’s eyes widened and then he shook his head. “But he is the master of the universe.”
“Sure, honey. I believe you.”
“You should. I know things.”
“Really? So, how old are you that you know so many things?”
Gina stood but leaned against the couch so Jesse could feel better. She put herself out of an aggressive position so the pup would feel safe. Clearly she’d been around kids before.
“I’m five.” Jesse yawned.
“Five? Already? You’re growing up fast.”
Quinn swallowed hard at the reminder and cleared his throat. “Okay, buddy, you need to get some sleep if you’re yawning.”
Gina frowned and looked outside at the sun in the sky. She didn’t understand, and Quinn wasn’t sure he wanted to enlighten her.
“I can put Jesse to bed,” Walker said, his voice soft. “Good to see you, Gina. I figure you and Quinn here are ready to get some food and be on your way. I know what you’re trying to accomplish, and I think it will do some good.”
He said his good-byes, and Quinn hugged his son. Jesse even hugged Gina before heading back to his room. Jesse didn’t have many females in his life—only Gideon’s sister, Brynn, really—so it was odd to see him attach himself to Gina so quickly.
“Food?” Quinn asked, knowing he sounded like an idiot.
Gina gave him an odd look then nodded. “Okay. Then we walk around the den like idiots and try to show people that we’re friends?”
Quinn turned and frowned. “Excuse me?”
Gina gave him a sad smile. “I know you don’t want me here.
I know you didn’t want to touch my hand to get me through the wards.
Hell, Quinn, you even stiffened when Jesse came by.
I mean, did you really think I was going to hurt your son?
I don’t know why you hated me on sight, but there’s something we need to talk about. ”
He growled, wanting her out of his house, away from him before he did something stupid, like apologize.
“There’s nothing we need to talk about.”
“Yes, yes there is, you idiot.”
“Get out, Gina. We can do this another time. Or better yet, you and Lorenzo can.”
She shook her head. “You feel it, don’t you?”
“Feel what?” He ran a hand over his head and clenched his jaw. When he met her gaze, the tears in them surprised him.
“We’re mates, Quinn.”
He let out a breath and took a step back. His head whirled, and he tried to swallow. “What?”
No. Hell no. This couldn’t be happening.
She shook her head, a single tear sliding down her cheek. She gave a small laugh, only it sounded hollow.
“Maybe you didn’t know. My wolf though? She wants you as her own. I know the Talons and Redwoods haven’t mated since the treaty, but apparently fate changed her mind.”
He didn’t know what to say. What to think. What the hell? He wasn’t supposed to have another mate. He’d already had a mate. One that left him, broke him, and almost killed him and his son.
Instead of thinking, he said the first thing that came to mind.
“Fuck fate.”
Her eyes widened, and she took a step back as though he’d slapped her. “Fuck fate?” she whispered.
“Fuck it. You don’t get it, Gina. I don’t care what fate says because I’m not mating again. I already had one. I’m not doing it again.”
Tears filled her eyes, but she nodded. “I…I get it. When my uncle Adam lost his mate, he refused to mate Bay. It was only an accident they were mated in the first place.”
He shook his head. “I’m not like your uncle Adam. His mate died. I know the story. My mate? She’s alive, Gina.”
She scrunched her face. “How can that be?”
He let out a hollow laugh. “How? Because that stupid bitch went to a goddamn witch and broke our mating bond. She also almost killed our son in the process.”
“Oh, Quinn, I’m so sorry.” Tears were flowing freely now, but he ignored them.
“Jesse is hanging by a thread, and there’s nothing I can do about it.
You think I want another mate when I already had my chance?
I lost it because she found greener pastures or some shit.
She chose that life over what she had and broke my soul.
I don’t want another freaking mate, let alone a witch I will never trust.”
She froze, her face going deathly pale.
“So go and find yourself another mate if that’s what you want.
You know you’ll find another since apparently fate is a fickle bitch.
But I don’t want a mate. Not now. And if I did, it wouldn’t be you, a witch.
A witch was the reason my bond was broken, and I could never trust you.
You’re the epitome of everything I hate. ”
As soon as he said it, he wanted to take it back.
He didn’t hate Gina.
He hated the women who had hurt him.
Yet he’d put five years of hate in those words, and now he had to deal with the look on her face.
“Gina…”
She held up her hand. “You said enough.” Her voice was low, devoid of any emotion.
Her cheeks were dry but red. “I’m going to leave.
I can get out of the wards through the front entrance without having an anchor.
The guards there know I’m here by now and will know that I’m leaving. I’ll see you at the next meeting.”
She turned then froze. “I never said I wanted to be your mate, Quinn. I only said that there was the potential. I’m sorry those women hurt you. I’m not them, but you’ll never believe that.” She took a shaky breath, and Quinn wanted to hold her and tell her he was sorry.
He knew if he did that he’d never stop, and she had to get out of his house. If she stayed, he didn’t know what he’d do.
“I hope your little boy is okay. You should call Hannah to see if she can help.”
With that, she left, and he stood there, his head lowered.
“Jesus fucking Christ, Quinn,” Walker growled. “First, you’re lucky Jesse is out cold. Second? I didn’t know you were so cruel. You broke her.”
Quinn had forgotten Walker was there but didn’t turn to face the other man.
“Just go,” he whispered.
“I knew Helena scarred you, but shit, Quinn, you can’t let her ruin your future.”
Quinn growled and let his power roll through the room. Walker didn’t bow. Instead, the Healer pushed his own power back.
Quinn staggered and lowered his head.
“Yeah, I’m higher ranking than you. Get over it, asshole,” Walker cursed.
“If Kade ever finds out what you said to her, he’ll kill you, and we’ll end up in another war.
That’s politics and family.” He sighed. “You’re my friend, Quinn, but the man I just saw isn’t the man I know, the man I’m friends with.
That man is not Jesse’s father. Remember that. ”
Walker stormed out of the house, and Quinn sank to the floor, his head in his hands. Walker was right. He had been an asshole to Gina. He hadn’t meant to lash out like he had, and now he’d hurt her more than he’d ever meant to.
The only thing he knew was that he hadn’t deserved Helena, and he damn well didn’t deserve Gina. She’d find another wolf to mate and find her happiness.
She wasn’t for Quinn.
He wasn’t for her.
He didn’t deserve anything.