AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Why?” Saint asks.
She tilts her head and looks him in the eyes. “Because you belong to me, and I’m not going to let you get rid of me that easily. And because you gave it to me. It’s mine.”
“You took my car.”
Wayne throws Saint the keys. “Washed and serviced and sitting out the front.”
Saint glares at the keys in his hand. He’s got no argument left.
“Are you sure about this, Bethany? You know what you're getting into. It could all go so wrong.”
“Scent matches are unique. And rare. But rejecting a scent match means that you’re very unlikely to find happiness with anyone else,” Auggie says from beside me.
I jerk my head to her as the horror of that statement sinks in. “Really?” I whisper.
She nods her head. “Once one makes an informal bond, an emotional connection with one’s scent matches, it’s almost impossible to move on.”
I tear my eyes from hers to stare at Bethany. Did we do that to her? Condemn her to a life of mediocrity? Loneliness. At least I have the pack. What does she have?
I shift my weight and look at Saint. “Give her the job.”
Saint’s eyes bore into mine. I can hear his thoughts as if he’s talking to me out loud. Are you sure you want to do this? We might not be able to come out of it unscathed?
I respond with a shrug. We’re already damaged. We can handle whatever storms come our way, but let’s not hurt her more than we have.
Bethany follows Saint, while everyone but Wayne disappears. The alpha steps up to the bar beside me.
“I made a very big error. I thought that I was doing the right thing, helping some people I love have the future I envisioned for them. Sometimes it’s harder to say no to someone you love, and sometimes it’s just fear talking.”
“I barely know her,” I murmur, but my eyes track her movements behind the bar.
“And I knew her better than anyone. Thing about my daughter is she walks a path that she creates. She doesn’t need me deciding her future or you protecting her from things you think might be bad for her.” He lifts a drink that Hunter puts on the bar for him. “Unless, of course, this isn’t about her and is about you, in which case, I guess I just have to wish you the best in learning to live with the pain you’re causing.”
I stare at him as he finishes his drink.
“Good drink. We’ll be here for a while, and then we’re heading home. But I’ve been where you are. When my alpha called my name, I ran the other way.”
“So, you get it?” I say, feeling justified.
“I was an idiot, and my advice to you, Oli, is quite simple. The alpha my daughter loves is in there. Bring him out and make sure you make her know how special she is when you decideto stop running. She’s decided I’d find her a new pack in a heartbeat, but she is stuck on you.”
“What if we can’t stop running?”
Wayne laughs. “Oh, son, you have no chance in hell. Not against her. The Raines women have decided to help their own. Ryn is in town, Lia is involved, and Auggie is having fun. No one is going to help you. And not a single alpha, beta, or omega connected to our family will save you. Give in gracefully. It will make things easier for you.”
I gape at him, unable to find any words to say. When I turn around, Bethany is right there. Only the bar separates us. Her eyes flick down my chest and back up to my hair.
“You look good tonight, Crow.”
My mouth is dry, and a million stupid thoughts go through my head, but still, nothing comes out.
She winks at me, turns, and goes to pour a beer for an alpha at the other end of the bar.
In the mirror, I see Hunter watching me watch her, and I can’t help but think that he’s already decided one way or another.
I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I know one thing. It’s so good to see her.
I don’t want her to disappear.
