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“Besides, maybe I want a shot at her.” Lucas smiles.
“I get the feeling you haven’t lacked women,” Elijah says.
“Should I be touched or offended?” Lucas muses.
“That’s settled. Lucas can meet her. I have work to do.” I take a step back and turn slightly, preparing to get on with the work.
“We will share a mate anyway,” Las says softly.
I freeze, then turn my head toward him.
“Really? Interesting.” Elijah pushes the brim of his hat back, watching Las. “Why do you think so?”
Las looks at each of us before focusing on my face, his serious eyes conveying his message. “She will bring us back together,” he says simply. I know this is his hope.
Lucas and Elijah shift uncomfortably.
I hold his eyes. “She would have to be very special.” I shake my head, breaking the connection. “I have work to do. Why don’t you go eat with Elijah?”
I continue to turn and walk away.
I tune out the conversation happening behind me and get to work. It doesn’t take long before I hear the truck leave with Elijah and my brothers in it.
I cringe and throw down my hammer. I avoid Margaret’s probing stare as she leaves her seat and goes back into the house. I imagine she is even disappointed in my attitude.
Why do I have to be such an asshole to them?
They are trying. Why can’t I? They have given me the space I asked for since they found me. I asked them to stop bringing up the subject of our parents. I haven’t spoken to them about the kidnapping. I pushed away their concern and questions daily until I told them to drop it and never bring it up again if they wanted to stay here with me.
My parents. I miss them. I miss hearing my dad sing off-key in the mornings. I miss my mom's cooking and her hugs. I miss being part of a pack of lions that loved each other and treated each other respectfully. I want to see them, but at the same time, what if I do and they have shame in their eyes? Will my dad be pissed I don’t want to be Alpha?
What if they see me as less of a lion?
I’m so fucked up.
Logically, I feel that way about myself, so how could they not feel the same? Shit, I have to try to fix this. Before I left, I was on my way to taking over the pack. Right now, I don’t feel like an Alpha at all and I found my place here. I haven’t told my brothers that I’ve decided I was going to turn down the position of Alpha.
I missed my brothers every minute I was in a cage. I prayed that somehow they would find me, but after too much time passed, and I prayed that they wouldn’t see how skinny I was or how broken down my spirit had become. The filth that I lived in still lives within me. I have only shaken off a portion of it since I left.
I have to find a way to become clean.
My phone buzzes in my pocket. I shake off my thoughts and pull it out.
“Yeah?” I answer.
“Hi,” a bright voice greets me. “Is this Triple L Construction?”
“Yeah,” I repeat. “Can I help you?”
“Well, I hope so. The hot-as-hell Ryker gave me your number. I wanted to see if you would look at the building and give me an estimate?”
I shake my head at her description of the deadly vampire but can’t help but say, “I wouldn’t get your hopes up with him. He’s very taken.”
“I know,” she sighs. “I was disappointed at first but then happy he found the love of his life. I heard about his pregnant mate. I hope I can meet the baby.”
I narrow my eyes. “Mate?” Is she a shifter?
“Um…” she hums. “His wife. That’s what I meant to say.”
