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“I know you need to think things over, but we want you, Sylvie. Don’t doubt that for a second.”
I couldn’t meet his eyes. Jonah rubbed his thumb against my neck in comforting circles.
“What about Luke?” I asked.
“He might take a little more patience, but don’t give up on him. We talked, and I think he’s going to invite you to spend some time with him one-on-one. He’s scared.”
I raised a brow and looked at him then. “Scared? Of what? Me?”
Toby looked so sad in that moment. I reached for his hand, and he gave me a small smile.
“He avoids us a lot, and I finally figured out why a few days ago. He’s terrified that something could happen to someone he loves, just like Edward. So he’s been protecting himself, building up walls. It’s probably his business to tell you, but I’m not even sure he understands it himself, and I think you need to know. He doesn’t want to get close to someone and then lose them.”
Jonah sighed from the back seat. “That makes sense. I thought he was pulling away because Edward was kind of the glue that kept us together, and with him gone…”
A tear rolled down my cheek. “People have all kinds of coping skills to get through grief.” I looked over at Toby, and he lifted his hand to brush the tear away. “Thank you for telling me. If Luke reaches out… Well, I’ll be more prepared. But if he decides to keep his walls up, I don’t know how this is going to work.”
Jonah didn’t hesitate. “It will work.”
Maybe. I didn’t want to come between Luke and his pack, but there was no denying I already had strong feelings for Will, Jonah, and Toby. It was a lot to think about.
We got out of the car and Toby lifted my bag, then they both walked me to my apartment. I hugged them long and hard and promised to call soon. After they left, I went to my bed to lie down and to think, but sleep pulled me under.
* * *
Can I come over? Call me when you get this. I could use the chat.
The text from my sister was waiting for me when I finally woke up, close to dinnertime. I called right away and invited her to join me for take-out. Then I ordered delivery from my favorite sushi place.
When she got to my apartment, I gave her a happy hug and held my tongue. She looked older, worn out, like she hadn’t slept in days. But I didn’t need to say any of that out loud.
Of course, the first thing she did was ask me how my heat went. I didn’t beat around the bush. I told her all about the McAllister pack, about spending my heat with them. About Luke. She listened with an expression I couldn’t read at all.
When I finished, she was quiet for a while. Ate a bite of food. Then dropped a bomb.
“I’ve never had a heat with my pack.”
For a second, I was stunned silent. “What?”
“I’ve never had a heat with them at all. It’s like my body’s been on strike.” She let out a long breath. “That should have been a big clue, but I ignored it.”
“Clue?”
“It’s not a good fit. Me and the pack. I have a big decision to make.”
“Shit, Kat. I’m so sorry.” I looked at the bond mark on her neck. How was any of this possible?
“I don’t know what to do.” She sighed, looking like the weight of the world was on her shoulders. “I’ve only bonded with Tom. I love him so much, and I know he loves me. I think the others care for me, love me on some level. But they never marked me.”
Only one bondmate? Out of five of them? That left me reeling, but the other admission…Fuck.
“And no heats? For three years?”
Kat shook her head. “Tom is the only one who sleeps with me. I can tell he’s bothered. He thought we’d be having kids by now. But he won’t say anything. No one says anything.”
I pulled her next to me on the couch and wrapped my arms around her as Kat’s shoulders started to heave with sobs. “Oh, sweetie. I’m here for you. I’ll always be here for you.”
After a while, she was able to use the tissues I handed her and take some deep breaths. She sniffed, her eyes red and puffy, and more of the sordid details came out.
