Page 48 of A Nest of Maple & Mist

Was it possible for your blood to itch? Because mine did, poking like little needles under my skin.

I resisted my instincts, my alpha wanting to let loose the building rage.

Her maple scent soured. Curls broke free from her messy bun, sticking to the tear tracks on her face. A quiet snarl rolled from her lips as she glared at me like a lioness about to pounce on her kill.

“You didn’t even have the balls to do it in person, Shane. A text message. After everything. You disappeared like a ghost. Tell me. Why should I ever trust you again? You didn’t even show up to my parents’ funeral. I was alone.”

Those last few words came out as a choked whimper. Blood seeped from my limbs, leaving me cold. Guilt sank like a stone in the pit of my stomach. The urge to vomit almost overcame me, but I shoved it aside.

Mia needed me.

I wouldn’t fail her.

She was my scent match.

I was her alpha.

It was time I started acting like it.

“I came,” I rasped, covering her hand with mine. When she didn’t slap me away, I relaxed. “I was there, Mia. Even if you didn’t see me. I would never have abandoned you for that.”

The memory of that day had blurred into a hazy nightmare. It had nearly killed me not to hold her while she stood by those two caskets draped in flowers. I’d watched from the shadows of the old oak trees at the edge of the cemetery. She shouldn’t have had to carry that burden alone. Even if I couldn’t stand beside her, I hoped she felt my presence.

And I longed to say my private goodbyes to two of the kindest people I’d ever known. They were everything I never had in parents. I secretly hoped I’d get to call them that one day.

Before the rug had been yanked out from under me.

Her head snapped up, her watery eyes finding mine.

“Explain.”

“Your eulogy was beautiful,” I murmured, cradling her face. So many emotions swam in her dark, mesmerizing eyes. “You showed such strength. Such courage. You never wavered. You didn’t falter. Despite the pain you refused to show. You spoke of their love. Their passion. And I wanted nothing more than to hold you in my arms while you sobbed when we were alone.”

“Then why didn’t you?”

I should have. Nothing should have stopped me from being with the girl I loved. But the younger, more naïve version of me made a mistake. I made a decision. A bad one. One I thought would protect my girl.

And it only destroyed her.

“It’s complicated. I di⁠—”

“Uncomplicate it.”

Resolve, defiance, and fire flared in her eyes.

The tang of copper lingered on my tongue as I swiped it along my raw lower lip. I nodded, giving her hand a squeeze. My thumb brushed over her knuckles as she held my gaze.

“My parents had certain expectations.” Mia snorted, rolling her eyes as if to say, obviously. “They crafted a betrothal contract with the heiress to a powerful pack in New York. I refused to sign it. But…”

“But what?”

I brought our joined hands to my mouth, savoring the taste of her salty skin on my lips.

“They forced my hand.”

“How?”

“They threatened you.” Her eyes blew wide, dry tears creasing around the edges. “If I didn’t agree, they’d ensure your scholarships got yanked, and that you’d never get another one. You worked so hard for that, Mia. And I knew you needed it. I couldn’t let that happen.”