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“What?” I didn’t mean to snap at her. She’s been nothing but helpful through this whole ordeal. Rylie has done her best to try to talk some sense into Alexa. She doesn’t deserve my frustration being lashed out at her.
Mason’s growl is enough warning to get me to change my tone.
Fuck, I really am turning into the new Derek.
“Sorry.” Running a hand through my hair, I take a step back.
“It’s okay.” Rylie takes my hand while Mason grumbles how it most certainly isn’t okay with me snapping at her. She brushes him off, but he’s right.
Dad had told us long ago that some werewolves who lose their mates lose themselves. Derek lost himself in depression and a grumpy as fuck attitude. I’m beginning to find myself in a forest of uncontained rage.
“Come dance with me.” She pulls me, leaving me no choice but to go willingly to the dance floor with her guiding me. “She had talked herself up to talking to you tonight.” Rylie’s hands rest on my broad shoulders while I struggle to figure out a safe spot to place mine if I plan to keep them.
“She was?” Jerking my head back as if Mason had just decked me square in the face, I widened my eyes down at my new sister-in-law.
She nods. “Yes, I worked my ass off to get through to her, and you just had to go and fuck it up, didn’t you?”
“I … well … umm …”
“Trying to play the jealousy card with Alexa won’t work, Miles. She isn’t like that.”
“Where were you when I started planning this fucked-up idea?” I scoff.
“I was right there, but you never said anything and kind of sprang this on all of us,” she points out.
“Gee, thanks.”
“Hey, you’re lucky. You got me rather than your brother, who wants to ask you if you’re ready to admit you fucked up.” She gives me this look like I should be grateful.
“I thought my admission of that was easy to tell.” I sigh.
“Oh, is it for me and everyone other than your brother and friend?”
“What about Alexa?” I can’t help it; I look in her direction again.
“She …” Rylie bites down on her lip before looking around me to where Alexa is since I can’t turn us fast enough to see her. This is the first time I haven’t focused on her tonight, but I miss her. She has seen me watching her every single time she looked in my direction. I’m not ashamed of being caught. If anything, I’ve been encouraging her to come talk to me.
“She’s lost, Miles. I can’t tell you more because it’s something she needs to, but you need to show her she means more to you. She doesn’t know or understand mates. Prove to her she’s meant to be yours.”
“And how am I supposed to do that when I can’t get near her?” I frown.
“I believe she’s over her fear of werewolves.” She cringes. “Kind of.”
“That’s obvious from her hanging out with your fucking brother,” I grind out.
“Don’t get pissed at Carter. He’s just looking out for her,” she snaps, proving herself my alpha female.
“Fine. What do you think I should do?” I relent.
“First, you need to get a ride home for Thea and get her the hell out of here. Even though this is my wedding reception, and I should be visiting with everyone here and enjoying it, I’m too busy watching the tinderbox that’s you, Thea, and Alexa. Every time she has attempted to get closer to you, that damn woman pops up, and Alexa turns away.”
“Have we been watching the same woman? She’s been ignoring me all night.”
“No, she hasn’t.” As naturally as I can, I turn Rylie so I can face Alexa. She’s staring, her gaze diving deep into my soul as our eyes connect. “She’s been suffering from that pain. Mason explained it to me, and I’ve managed to convince her not to go to the doctor, but she doesn’t believe me.”
I don’t like hearing her hurting. My first instinct is to ditch Rylie and go after Alexa, scoop her into my arms, and kiss the shit out of her while promising never to let her feel that kind of pain again. But my plan is sidetracked by my mom calling everyone’s attention to her and her announcement for the toasts.
Chapter Twenty
