Page 89 of Stargazer

VENUS

Fucking hell, I was a stupid, stupid girl.

After kissing Griffin, I fled like a coward.

I hadn’t made my decision. So what the fuck was I doing?

Ignoring him for the rest of the day and driving somewhere—anywhere—was my new plan.

I needed to keep myself busy and get my mind off things, so I found myself driving to the town centre.

My head was spinning. I had just kissed Griffin. And fuck, it sparked something in me.

There was a reason I had been keeping my distance, trying not to touch him too often or flirt as much as we had before. It was too easy to fall back into his gravity. Too easy to get swept up in it. And I felt that deeply the night of that first full moon here. Felt it after he killed that rogue and it somehow seemed like there was no one else in the world but him and me.

What the fuck would River think?

I had to tell him. Had to be honest with him.

So much for keeping them both at arm's length.

This was not keeping my distance. This was not being smart.

I needed to talk to Riv. But I knew he was doing pack stuff today and would be busy. He needed this moment with them—it was vital for their dynamic to spend time together and bond. And all of the others had returned last night before they were to head out to some stubborn pack that required the Alpha’s presence. I didn’t want to go to the pack house and be a distraction.

But he needed to know what happened.

I needed to be honest and keep them both in the loop. That was the only way to be as fair as possible to each of them during all of this. The only way this weird truce thing between them—between us—worked. It relied on being truthful and not keeping them in the dark.

Parking outside a cafe that had the best almond croissants around, I didn’t let myself question it any further before I dialled River’s number. It rang twice before I heard his voice.

“Vee, is everything okay?” Worry laced his tone.

“I, ah … hi. Yes, everything is okay. I’m okay,” I reassured him.

The little breath of relief he let out was not lost on me. “Good. Good.” The second time he said the word sounded more for himself. “What’s up, Angel?”

“Um, I know the pack’s there, and you have lots to do, but do you have a minute?”

“Of course. They’ll survive without me for a few moments,” he chuckled. “Are you sure everything’s alright? I can come get you if you need?”

“No, no. I’m fine. I just … I need to tell you something.”

“Oh.” The worry instantly returned. “Aright,” he said hesitantly. “What is it?” The words were slow on the other end of the line, his growing apprehension clear.

“Griffin and I kissed.”

“Oh.”

“We were training at home this morning, just letting off some steam and well, it kind of just happened. I didn’t mean to let it—”

“It’s okay, Vee.”

“I’m sorry,” I pushed, needing him to hear my apology. “I didn’t mean for it to happen. And nothing else did.”

“It’s okay,” he reassured. And I could vividly picture the understanding expression that he’d be wearing. Could see it clear as day.

“I needed you to know. I didn’t want to hide it from you or make it seem like we’ve been sneaking around or anything. This is the first time this has happened since he’s been back. I hope you know that. I would tell you—if there was anything more, I would tell you.”

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