There wasn’t a bad choice.
However, Hayes knew the situation the most, and I also didn’t want him to think I was angry with him.
Roxie
Come to bed with me? I’d like company.
Hayes
On my way, little bat.
True to his word, a few moments later I heard footsteps in the hallway leading up to my room.
He knocked and waited for me to call out to him before walking in. There was a motorcycle helmet in one of his hands and a shopping bag in another. He kicked the door closed behind him.
“Where did you go?” I questioned.
He didn’t answer right away. Hayes set his helmet down, kicked out of his shoes, and stripped down to his boxers and t-shirt before carrying the bag over.
“You needed time to yourself, and I wanted to respect that. All my alpha wanted to do was come scoop you up and hold you tight, so I went for a little ride so I didn’t step over your boundaries.”
I gave him a sad smile, hating that he was struggling, too, but loving that he was respecting my needs.
“I ended up at a twenty-four-hour market. I didn’t know what kind of pick-me-up you needed, so I went a little crazy.”
He set the bag down in my lap, and I pulled it open to peek inside.
“Oh my god, are you serious?” I gasped.
I pulled out a cute, stuffed, bat plushie. It was the soft kind that was more a pillow than a plush. I thought the scent-marking of my nest while I was in the shower was the sweetest thing.
But this was a very close runner-up.
Underneath the plush was an array of chocolates, fruity candy, a bottle of water, and a couple of other drinks.
“This is so sweet,” I said, setting everything aside, though I left my bat in my lap before pulling my mate closer. Somehow the big alpha managed to fall gracefully next to me on the bed before pulling me against him.
I nestled in, still sitting up with my back resting against his chest. He started purring, the sound low and comforting as it rumbled against me.
Now that I had a plan in motion and a pack that supported me this thoroughly, I felt more in control.
“I just wanted you to remember that you have a pack now. You don’t have to fall apart alone, little bat. You have us to lean on.”
“Old habits die hard, I guess,” I murmured. “I’m used to pulling myself up when I fall. Keeping myself strong.”
“We know, and we understand. But you don’t have to. We’ve got you now.”
After tonight, I was finally starting to believe it.
Chapter
Twenty-Six
Roxie
“Thanks, Charlie. You’ve been incredible,” I said as I closed out of the video chat.
He’d been a lifesaver while I’d been doing this job, keeping things together and making sure our issues were going out regularly.
