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“Truce.” Toyin forced a smile, tightly wrapped her hands around the handle to the shopping cart, and walked off.
There was no way for me to survive this and if it wasn’t for our son, I wouldn’t try. I would claim her and fully accept the consequences but there was more to consider than me and my selfish needs.
After our shopping was done and my Jeep was loaded, I realized neither of us had eaten since that morning. My stomach growled with awareness the minute I began thinking about food.
“We should eat.” I glanced at Toyin as I navigated from the shopping center’s parking lot. She kept her eyes on her phone when she responded which irritated me a little. I knew our fate but that didn’t magically end all the things I felt and wanted for us.
“I can make us something when we get back. Jo said Rafe is up from a nap.”
“Then let’s take his things to the apartment then we can all go out and grab something,” I murmured, keeping my eyes pinned on Toyin until hers fastened to mine.
“We don’t have to go out. It’s not like…”
“We’re afamily, because we are,” I defended. Her rejection hurt, even if mild.
“I was going to say together. We don’t have to be a family in public.” She grimaced and mumbled the last part. “It might be easier if we’re not.”
“I will not hide from anyone, Toyin. That’s not who the fuck I am. If you’re concerned about how being attached to me affects your future…”
“I’m not,” she argued. “At least not in the way you’re thinking. You’re the Alpha…”
“Laz is the Alpha.” I glared and she rolled her eyes. My brothers and I were all Alphas but Laz was the leader of our pack. After our father passed, the role could have been mine. I hadn’t wanted it. Laz was more suited and with me being the eldest of the three, I needed the freedom to protect my brothers without the responsibility of protecting an entire pack. I was very capable, as were Laz and Zion. However we all had our roles and accepted them.
“You’re all Alphas. You know what I mean. You’re a prize. The women in your pack don’t appreciate that we’re…” She frowned slightly. “What we are.”
Promised to each other.
“And you don’t think you are?”
“That I’m what?”
“A prize?” My expression darkened. I was protective of Toyin. She was mine to protect, both physically and emotionally.
“I am,” she said sternly.
“Then fuck what the others think or believe. We won’t hide our family to spare their feelings.”
She smiled and nodded. “You’ll have to be with one of them, one day.”
I didn’t address the statement because I didn’t want to. Physically maybe but I would neverbewith anyone but Toyin. That much I understood even if she didn’t. If where we were right now was the best I could have, then it would have to be enough. Instead of dwelling there, I changed the subject.
“Have they said or done anything to you? To make you feel unwelcome?”
She scoffed and rolled her eyes again. “You heard Sharma and Kiara. Their opinion of me was mild. It’s also not everyone’s opinion but I also don’t care. They can dislike me, hate me even, but they will honor and respect my son.”
My wolf growled in confirmation. “They will and not just Rafe…”
I glared at Toyin, communicating what I meant and she sighed. “Don’t go pissing off your pack for me. That’s not a smart move.”
I shrugged. “I’m their Alpha, you think I give a fuck about pissing any of them off?”
She grinned. “So you’re the Alpha now?”
“When it counts.” I winked and she shook her head. I lifted a hand and lowered it to her thigh, giving a gentle squeeze. Toyin looked up at me hesitantly and I made my stance clear. “I’ve always protected you, Toyin. From the day we met, I’ve always put in the effort to ensure you were good. That will not change, no matter our circumstances. Our pack rules are based on family, mutual respect, and acceptance. That applies to you as well and not just because of me or Rafe. You are a part of Bennett pack, our community, and we do not accept disrespecting our own.”
“Thank you.” Her voice was light but quiet so I left things as they were. Whatever this was between us would be impossible to navigate but I refused to allow it to destroy either of us.
* * *
