Page 86 of Knot Broken

The way Candy just watched me was familiar. It was the same look she gave us boys when we were acting up in the alpha program. Soft eyes, firm set of her shoulders, she’d let me rant and rave, but then she’d force me to face what I had to: they were doing everything they could right now and that was enough to get me slumping back in the chair.

“So what do we do? What do I do, Candy?”

“The same thing as everyone else who walks in here with their loved ones. You stay by their side, help them endure the unendurable.”

“No.” I shook my head. “No.”

“And make clear that you’re there, every step of the way. That you can be the rock they need as they experience a level of pain that would kill most people.”

Claws snicked out, my muscles swelling, as the wolf and I prepared for a fight, but there was no enemy to punch through the wall. Just bad luck. I shook my head.

“Most kids that came through our outreach program were pretty messed up by the fact they were suddenly able to turn into a wolf. Some struggled for control, like Grey. Some found shifting agonising, like Ethan. It was always easy for you.”

“And now its not.” As my lips pursed, I felt my fangs press into the soft flesh of my mouth. “OK, if that’s what has to happen, then that’s what I’ll do.”

“Just like that, huh?” The skin around her eyes creased as she smiled at me. “Keep that can-do attitude, big guy. Riley’s talking about amping Nadia’s hormone levels up. Your mate, she’s managing to keep her beast locked down tight and Fanta Pants is hoping that with the right push, we can help you meet the other half of your mate’s soul.”

I felt hollow, empty as I walked out of the office. Perhaps that’s why my ears were ringing. My finger was stuck in one, trying to dislodge whatever the hell it was that was causing that sound, but of course, the harsh whine wasn’t an organic thing. It faded away as I reached the suite door. My hand went to the handle and for just a moment, I stood there, focussing on my breathing.

You can do this, I told myself. You have to. Nadia needs you and⁠—

The handle was wrenched from my grip as it opened to reveal my mate and Ethan.

“Hey, you’re back,” she said and that smile was everything. “Ethan was just about to show me how he shifts.”

No, I wanted to say, don’t do that, because some part of me needed to protect her, but this was a battle I couldn’t fight for Nadia. Instead, I pulled her close, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

“If you wanted to see Golden Boy naked, you just had to say so.”

“Tex—”

“We could all strip off if you like.” She stared up at me with a smile. “Could be fun?” I suggested.

“Naked fun sometime later. Shifting now. Maybe…” I hated that tentative note in her voice. “Maybe if I see how it’s done, I might be able to shift as well.”

“Your wolf is gonna be so pretty.” My hands traced the curve of her cheeks. “Can’t wait to meet her.”

“You ready?”

There was a note of challenge in Ethan’s voice as he stared at me over the top of Nadia’s head.

“I was born ready.”

They said I was a cocky prick and maybe that was true, but I knew now why. It was a barrier erected between me and my worst fears, but this time? As I followed the two of them down the hall, barely registering what was said, I had a feeling that wall was going to be shattered to pieces.

That was OK.

I saw Candy building those LEGO towers in my mind’s eye, because no matter what happened to Nadia, I’d be there to put her, me, all of us back together. With that in mind, I picked up the pace and joined the two of them as they walked into a nearby room.

Chapter 41

Grey

“Jess…?”

I walked in the back door, instantly hit by the familiar sights and smells of my old home. It was still early in the morning, so she might be at the bus stop, seeing the school-aged kids off. Expecting to sit down and wait, I went to turn the kettle on but was greeted by the sound of thundering feet.

“Grey Grey!”