“Because I know you. I know what your reaction to a potential bond would’ve been, and I don’t want you to fuck this up because of what happened over ten years ago.”
“You’re a fine one to fucking talk.” He threw his hands in the air. “Before Mark came along, you felt exactly the same as I do.”
Alec sighed. “You’re absolutely right, and I was a miserable fucker most of the time.” Daryl snorted despite himself. “Guilt held me back, Daryl. For all those years I refused to let anybody get close, and it was a mistake. I almost did the same thing with Mark. It took Newell and Wes threatening him to kick my arse into gear.”
“That was your wolf taking over.” Daryl scoffed. “Our shifter instincts trampling all over everything else.”
“That’s bollocks, and you know it. I liked Mark. Liked him a hell of a lot when I finally let him
in. It’s normally the way bonds work. Rachel and Sara are a rare exception.” He sighed again.
“Bonding with Mark is hands down the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
The look Alec gave him bordered on pity, and Daryl hated it. He closed his eyes and buried his face in his hands. “I’m happy you found Mark. But just because you changed your mind, doesn’t mean I have to do the same.”
“No, that’s true. And no one should be forced or persuaded into one.”
Daryl glanced up, both eyebrows raised.
“That’s not what I’m trying to do, Daryl. As one of my best friends, I don’t want to see you make a decision for all the wrong reasons and regret it later. If you can look me in the eye and tell me that no part of you wants to complete this bond with Jason, then I won’t mention it again.”
“I—” No matter how hard he tried, the words wouldn’t come. Part of him—a small, traitorous part—liked the idea. Wanted it. “Before we left yesterday, Jason said he wanted to continue our relationship when the bond’s faded.”
Alec frowned. “He said that?” Daryl nodded. “So after everything you’re about to put the both of you through, Jason’s willing to still be with you?”
“Yep.” Daryl still found it hard to believe. “He said he understood why I couldn’t go through with the bond but thought we could have something special and didn’t want to give up on that.”
“Fuck, I take it all back. You don’t deserve him.”
“Yeah, I know.” Daryl let out a bitter laugh. “We were only ever supposed to be a short-term thing. We both knew that going in.”
“And why was that exactly?”
“Because I don’t want a relationship with another shifter.”
Alec’s gaze bored into him, hard and unwavering. “Yes, butwhy,Daryl?”
Daryl shot to his feet, claws sliding out and digging into his palms as a mix of emotions surged through him. “Because I don’t want to end up in the same position as my parents!” he yelled.
“For fuck’s sake, Daryl. I can’t believe you’re being this fucking stupid. If you let that bond fade and then choose to get involved with Jason anyway, then you’re opening yourself up to the possibility ofexactly thathappening again. And apart from that, it’s fucking cruel. We both know Jason well enough to know how he feels about mates. I’m gonna go out on a limb and assume he was more than ready to bond with you?”
“Yeah,” he said, softly.
“So you’re willing to have a relationship with him, let him fall in love with you, knowing there’s no way the two of you can ever bond? Because once you let that go, Daryl, you don’t get it back.
There’s no second chance at this.”
“I know that. I’m not stupid.”
“No, you’re not. Just messed up.”
“Fuck off.”
Alec closed the gap between them and gripped Daryl’s shoulders. “I know it hurt, Daryl. I was there.” He rested their foreheads together, and Daryl closed his eyes. “And I know I’m a fine one to talk about clinging onto guilt and shutting people out. But I was wrong.” He slid a hand up to grip the back of Daryl’s neck. “Either bond with Jason or let him go. Anything else isn’t fair on either of you.”
He moved back a little and tilted Daryl’s chin up so they were eye to eye. “But before you do anything, call your mother.”
Daryl’s eyebrows scrunched together. “What the fuck for?”
