Page 5 of Convincing the Heartbroken Beta

“Would it help if I went on ahead and drove him to Wolf Creek?”

He gritted his teeth then took a breath before he answered. “I’m uncomfortable as it is having him out of my sight at all. I’m not about to let you drive him that far without me! Understood?”

Cameron flinched. “Yes, sir.”

A stab of guilt hit Brandon. The beta was trying so hard to please him. Even if Brandon’s world had just turned on its axis, he didn’t need to take it out on the guy.

“I apologize. I didn’t mean that to come out so harshly.” Brandon crossed his arms again, anxious to get away from these two young men who had him uncharacteristically rattled. “I know you’re going out of your way to help, don’t think I’m unaware of that fact.”

“That’s okay, sir. I don’t mind.”

Brandon tried not to roll his eyes. He was mostly successful. “I’m trying to apologize here. Accept it.”

“Yes, sir.”

Brandon’s radio crackled to life. He welcomed the disruption. After confirming with Nic that he was on the way back to the facility, he turned back to Cameron.

“Well, you heard. I gotta get going.”

Brandon glanced in the direction of the SUV. Sure enough, Sascha hadn’t given up on staring. He supposed he needed to bite the bullet and face him before he left. As he approached the vehicle, his wolf awakened inside, clawing to get out and meet the omega’s wolf. Once he reached the truck, his wolf retreated, confused.

Fucking suppressants.

His heart clutched at the thought of the drugs those assholes had pumped into Sascha. Not only for the young man’s sake, but for the baby’s. Brandon had to hang on to the hope that whatever those scientists had done, they hadn’t sought to permanently harm Sascha or the baby. He supposed he’d discover the truth soon enough.

Brandon opened the passenger side door and didn’t miss how Sascha had recoiled, even if the move had been subtle.

Brandon attempted a smile. “Hello. Sascha, right?”

Sascha nodded and clutched the jacket that was at least two sizes too big tighter around his body.

“Yeah, so... I’m Brandon, your Alpha. Your mate. I mean, I’m your mate.” Brandon almost held out his hand to shake Sascha’s then shoved them into the pockets of his own jacket instead. “In case you didn’t know.”

Sascha blinked at him several times before answering, “I know.”

“Oh. I see. Well, that’s good.”

Brandon glanced away and caught Cameron staring at them. He tried not to growl in irritation. He was over everyone gaping at him as if he might explode at any second. Trying to find something comforting to say to his scared mate seemed beyond his capabilities. Not having any warning that he’d suddenly be responsible for a pregnant shifter was messing with his head. But he couldn’t walk away without at least trying to reassure Sascha.

The poor kid has to be terrified about his future.

“Look, I have to take care of some things here for a while. But I’ve made sure you have someone to watch over you. Cameron is excellent at what he does. He fought well last night.”

Sascha winced and Brandon belatedly realized that talking about the battle where several of his cellmates were blown away probably hadn’t been the brightest move.

“Everything’s going to be okay, Sascha. I promise.”

Brandon tried to offer Sascha a more hopeful smile but wasn’t sure he’d succeeded. Sascha was regarding him with a creased brow and chewing on his lip. Brandon accepted the fact that he wasn’t helping the situation any by hanging around. They might be fated mates, but he wasn’t about to traumatize Sascha by forcing himself on him. He’d live up to his duty, find a way to help Sascha however he could, but leave him alone otherwise if necessary.

Brandon wasn’t deluded enough to believe that he and the beautiful omega who was meant to be his would ever have a true love relationship. He seriously doubted Sascha wanted anything to do with him in that regard.

Maybe I won’t have to come out of the closet after all.

Instead of the thought offering him relief, the possibility filled him with sadness.