Page 31 of A Nest of Maple & Mist

My omega longed to make it hers. She had already claimed it, and she was getting increasingly irritated by my resistance to the whole thing.

Deciding I didn’t want to face that right now, I responded to Ty’s question.

“That’s sounds like fun. What do you need my help with?”

The tip of his tongue darted out to wet his lips as he secured the blanket around me.

“Why don’t you trade this out for a jacket? The ride can get a little chilly with the wind. And I could use your help reviewing the inventory for the Maple Festival while I clean the evaporators.”

“Aye, aye, Captain.”

My hand flew to my temple in a mock salute.

Ty shook his head, leading me into the mudroom. My fingers stilled as I reached for my fleece. Instead, I stole the heavy flannel jacket hanging beside it, shrugging it onto my shoulders. It swallowed me, smelling faintly of Jason.

Bright green eyes sparkled like constellations when Ty’s gaze met mine. A wide smile pushed against his cheeks, but he said nothing as he led us to a four-wheeler parked at the edge of the yard. He threw one long leg over the seat, patting the space behind him with a wink.

“Hop up and hold on.”

A little pitter-patter moved across my sternum at his words. I slid into place, Ty’s broad back a wall of lithe muscle. My arms wrapped around his waist, my fingers tangling together.

My face rested between his shoulder blades as we roared down a dusty trail covered in colorful leaves. The wind whipped, but I barely felt it. Ty’s body was a shield against the biting breeze.

Sun glinted off the foliage, the tree line becoming thicker the further we traveled into the fields, the packhouse now out of sight behind me.

Ty reached back, his palm clamping over my thigh, giving it a reassuring squeeze. I smiled, allowing myself to drift. This man was so charming, the glue that solidified the Hawthorne Pack. Anyone who looked at them saw it.

It didn’t make sense to me. How someone as wonderful as Ty had ended up with someone as hurtful as Shane.

“Ty,” I called out over the hum of the engine.

“Yeah, sweetheart?”

“Why are you with Shane?” The question slipped out before my brain could catch up. “I mean… you’re so kind. And he’s… well he’s an asshole.”

A chuckle vibrated his spine, shaking my front with it. His fingers flexed on my thigh as he slowed the four-wheeler outside a wooden building with smokestacks. The engine idled with a low hum.

My question hung in the air as Ty cut the power, leaving only the chirping of birds and the skittering of squirrels in its wake.

Strands of dark hair hung over his brow, dangling between his tender eyes. He gazed at me, slowly pushing my windblown hair over my shoulder.

“What are you really asking, sweetheart? If I truly love my bonded alpha? Or something else?”

Shame stung my cheeks, the crimson color burning beneath my freckles. My head dipped, feeling embarrassed by my question. Regret prickled under my skin. I squirmed, aware of Ty’s patient stare pinned on me.

“Did he ever tell you what he did to me?” I whispered, still staring at the leather seat.

“Yes. He did a terrible, horrible thing that there was no excuse for, but…”

“But what?” I hissed, the flare of anger sharp against my tongue.

Ty sighed, looking out toward the rows of towering maple trees.

“It’s not my story to tell, Mia. That is something Shane has to share with you. When he’s ready. When you’re ready.”

The words landed, sitting like rocks in the pit of my stomach. I doubted anything Shane told me would erase the memory of the love of my life leaving just a day after he promised me forever.

It had been cruel and heartless.