“Think about what I said, yeah?” When he met Daryl’s gaze, the hurt in his eyes almost stole Daryl’s breath. As though he’d had already turned him down flat.
Because he knows that’s what I’m going to do.
He didn’t say that though. He’d take his time and give it the consideration Jason deserved. “I will.” Daryl gave him a sharp nod and reached for the door, eager to get home and shut everything out for a while.
Taking the stairs two at a time, Daryl hurried up to the third floor. As soon as he was inside with the door safely locked behind him, he sank against the cool, hard wood and closed his eyes. It felt like an age since he’d last been there—so much had happened in such a short space of time.
Not wanting to think about any of it for an hour or two, Daryl headed straight for his bedroom.
His scent was heavier in there, surrounding him like a sea of calm, and he sank down onto his bed with a small smile. This was what he needed. Some time apart from everyone and everything to process all that had happened and get his thoughts in order. He loved his pack, would do anything for them, but he’d had more than enough socialising over the last week or so to last him a good, long while.
Closing his eyes, he let his mind drift and relaxed into his pillow.
DARYL STARTLED awake to the angry buzzing of his doorbell.
He groaned and rubbed sleep out of his eyes as it buzzed again. And again.
“All right, I’m coming, for fuck’s sake!” he sat up and grabbed the small monitor next to his bed
to see who was outside his door.
Of fucking course.
Stomping through his flat, he wrenched the front door open, scowl in place. “I was asleep.”
Alec grinned back at him, all teeth. “I figured.”
“Most polite people would realise that after the first couple of minutes and leave.”
“Lucky for you, I’m not polite.” Alec gave the door a push to open it wide enough for him to enter. Daryl didn’t try to stop him. Alec on a mission was almost impossible to avoid.
Closing the door, Daryl muttered, “Please, do come in,” sarcasm heavy in his voice as Alec stalked past him into the living room.
With a resigned sigh, Daryl followed.
Leaning on the door frame, he said, “I take it you know.” He deliberately left it vague, in the vain hope Alec hadn’t heard about his potential bond yet.
In response, Alec rolled his eyes. “Yes, I know. About all of it. Cam told us about you and Jason a few days ago, and yesterday about you attempting to fly.”
Daryl barked out a laugh. “It didn’t go so well.”
“Which bit?” Alec raised an eyebrow, and Daryl shrugged, feeling everything come crashing back in.
The peace had been nice while it lasted.
“Fuck, Alec. All of it.” He sank onto the chair opposite and blew out a breath. “Why are you here anyway?”
“Mark just came back from a unit meeting with Jason.” He glanced around Daryl’s living room.
“No,” Daryl said before he asked. “I’ve not had one yet.” Guilt immediately swept in. He hadn’t seen his unit in over a week. They should’ve been his first priority. Ignoring Alec for a minute, he sent out a group text organising one for later. “So,” he said, sitting forward, hands loosely clasped. “What did Mark have to say?”
“That Jason wasn’t his usual self. In fact, he went as far as to suggest he hadn’t seen him like that since all that business with Newell.”
Daryl ran a hand over the back of his neck and tried not to feel offended. Choosing not to complete a bond wasn’t something he was proud of, but he hadn’t thought it warranted him being lumped in with Newell.
“Oh, get that wounded look off your face, it wasn’t about you. He was just worried about his beta.”
Daryl glared at him. He wanted to ask if Mark had said anything else, but he had no right. “That doesn’t answer my first question. Why are you here, Alec?”
