AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I think Nathan’s days of hooking up with random women are over. Only a skank would keep throwing herself at a man who’s made it clear he sees her as nothing more than a booty call.”
My tone is sweet, and I keep an innocent expression on my face as she narrows her eyes at me, her porcelain skin flushing red with rage. As I brush past her and storm out of the building toward the waiting SUV, I’m angry at her and I’m angry at Nathan. Dean remains silent until we pass through the gates that lead away from the Grey Ridge packhouse.
“I could just keep going. The stories about this guy…”
Dean shakes his head and presses his lips into a firm line to stop himself from saying what he really wants to.
“Don’t say it,” I snap, staring blankly at the trees as they pass, waiting for him to blurt out whatever is on his mind.
“He doesn’t deserve you,” he blurts out, unable to help himself. At least that’s the diplomatic version of what he really thinks.
“Don’t act like you’re mister innocent. I know you haven’t saved yourself for your mate, either.”
I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose, feeling a headache coming on from all this stress.
“Yes, but I don’t take home other alpha’s dates or fuck my assistant and half the pack,” he snarls. His expression goes from angry to distraught in a heartbeat when he sees my face crumple. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. But, Maya, there is dating and exploring relationships with other people while you wait for your mate and then there’s what he has been doing. And I can’t condone it when it’s hurting you.”
My silence says it all and when I don’t fill the gap in conversation, Dean relents, shifting in his seat and shuffling his tight grip on the steering wheel.
“At least make him prove he’s changed, Maya. Because if you believe what he’s saying, once he’s marked you, that’s it. There’s no getting away.”
We both know that from experience, witnessing our mother, and then Maggie, turn into shells of themselves while trapped with our father. Dean stares straight ahead, unblinking and lost in thought, not even seeing the beautiful scenery we drive past.
“Dean, you do realise that most people don’twantto escape their mate? That they’re happy.”
My tone is soft, but he still flinches. We both know our childhood has given us messed up perceptions of what the mate bond is, despite seeing many happy unions among other families in the pack. Our mother refused to leave our father even when it became clear he was still obsessed with Marie. She hoped that once she had his children and provided him with heirs, he would come around and recognise that ending up with his fated mate was a good thing. It never happened. And she stayed long enough that leaving him became impossible. He never loved her, but he still felt that possessiveness that comes with the mate bond. She washis. He was never going to let her go.
Dean’s sad smile is heart-breaking as he reaches across the console to give my hand a gentle squeeze. I see the scars my father’s actions have had on his soul and it makes me worry that he’ll never let himself have love in his life, even if he finds his mate. The way he speaks about it, you’d think it was a prison sentence, not a gift.
“Most people accept that the goddess always picks the right mate, and you’ll automatically live happily ever after. But you and I know that’s not always the case, don’t we?”
I can’t argue with that, so I don’t even try. Instead, I lean back in the seat and close my eyes. After yet another night tossing and turning, I’m running on empty. Kim’s words and Dean’s warning play over and over in my mind. My urge to see Nathan again, and the excitement I had at the prospect of getting away together, fades the closer we get to the airport. The sight of the sleek grey building and the noise of the landing aircraft makes my anxiety spike. This all seems chaotic and rushed, and I don't like it.
Nathan’s a good man. I know he is. But I’ve had enough drama to deal with in my life. My mating was never going to be simple, but I thought the problem would be my sense of smell, not bitchy exes who want me out of the picture.
How come he’s the one that got to have all the fun, but I’m the one who suffers?
Maybe I’m just tired and hangry, but this is bullshit. Or maybe my brother’s not completely wrong. I should wait until he’s proved he’s truly sorry, rather than taking his word for it and rushing into something I’ll be stuck with forever.
CHAPTER 22
NATHAN
Looking at my watch, yet again, I stand and pace, tugging down the cuffs of my shirt and scrubbing a hand over my clean-shaven jaw. I've been here for ages, eager to see my mate as soon as possible, but there is no sign of Maya. A feeling of dread settles over me like a dark cloud. Normally, I'm extremely confident, and if a woman doesn't like me, well, no harm, no foul. I'll get over it. This is completely different. It feels as though my future happiness depends on whether she's willing to take this step and spend some time alone with me.
I pace again, blowing out another frustrated breath. She’s not coming. She's had second thoughts, and she's not coming.
Ross walks in and looks around, arms raised as he spins. He lifts an eyebrow when he doesn’t see Maya. She should have arrived well before him; he left the packhouse after her to make it look like he was following me to the airport and not Maya.
“Where is she?” he demands, his brows slamming down in concern when I don't immediately answer his question.
“Do I look like I know?” I snap, worry making me testy. Does he really think I'd be standing here by myself if I knew where my mate was?
It's not lost on me that if we were mated already, as my wolf was demanding, we could mind-link. Instead of needing to bring Ross along to make sure Maya's protected while I work, I could have just stayed in constant communication with her.
If she ever arrives, that is.
Ross’s eyes glaze over as he stares at the entrance to the departure lounge, waiting for her to appear. Dean has charged him with protecting Maya on this trip. It won’t be a good look if he has already lost her.
