Page 66 of Alpha Brock

My eyes flutter open, meeting the bright blue of Sam’s. “No,” I whisper, giving a little shake of my head. “I can’t.”

He stills his movements. “Why not?”

I bring my hands to cover his, removing them from my body and holding them between us. “It wouldn’t be right.”

Sam blows out a breath, shaking his head. “Astrid, there’s never been anything more right than you and me together. You and I both know it.”

“Sam, no…”

“Yes,” he insists, squeezing my hands with his own. “I know we said we’re better as friends, but I’ve never cared for anyone like I do you. And I don’t think I fully realized that until you went away for the past few weeks while we were going through such heavy shit… I realized that I need you in my life, I need to be with you. We may not be fated, but we’re supposed to be together…”

Damn. Brock was right- Sam’s still carrying a torch for me. As an intuitive, you’d think I would’ve picked up on this sooner. Did I just block it out, hoping it wasn’t true?

I wriggle my hands free from his, taking a step back. “No, Sam, we’re not,” I grind out, my throat raw.

Sam’s eyes narrow on me, and I see the silver shimmer of his wolf, his temper flaring. “Why not?” he demands, throwing a thumb over his shoulder. “Because ofthatguy?!”

I swallow hard, nodding.

“You barely fucking know him, babe!” Sam groans, raking a hand through his golden hair, tugging on the strands.

I draw a deep breath, mustering the courage to say the words that I need to. Because I’ll always be honest with Sam, and because it’s the only way he’ll let me go. “We’re not supposed to be together, Sam,” I say calmly, my eyes fixed on his. “We can’t be, because I’m supposed to be with Brock. I’ve seen it.”

His eyebrows shoot up, realization washing over his features. “You’veseenit?”

I nod solemnly. “In a vision. I’ve seen it. Brock’s my mate.”

Have you ever seen someone’s heart break right in front of your eyes? My own breaks right along with Sam’s as he stands across from me. I feel his sorrow wash over him like a wave, and it’s times like these that I wish I could turn off my intuitive abilities. I know it’s not my fault, but I wish I never had to know how much I hurt him. Knowing how much pain I’ve inflicted on someone I love hurts so fucking much.

I love Sam, truly. Part of me always has, and part of me always will. I wonder if things will ever be the same between us- if he’ll still be able to have love for me if I can’t give him my heart the way he wants it. If we’ll still be able to be so close. Something tells me no, that things will be different from here on out.

“Come here,” he finally whispers, stretching his arms wide.

I step forward, falling into them. Into the arms that I’ve fallen into so many times before- when I was happy, when I was sad, when I needed comfort. Sam was always there with open arms for me.

I hold on tight as he wraps his arms around me, rocking me gently from side to side. Pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “I’m not gonna lie, lovely. This hurts,” Sam rasps.

“I know.” A tear slips from my eye onto the fabric of his t-shirt as I squeeze him tighter. I wish I could take his pain away, shoulder it all myself so he didn’t have to.

“I just…” he continues, his lips moving against my hair. “I just want you to be happy. Honestly. You know how much I love you, so I want you to be happy, even if it isn’t with me.”

“I know,” I sniffle. The tears are rolling down my cheeks now- I’m completely overwhelmed not only by my own emotions, but by his. “I want the same for you, Sam. Truly. I’ll always love you, it’s just… a different kind of love.”

He pulls back, looking down into my eyes. Bringing a hand up to run the backs of his fingers along my cheek gently. He’s always been so kind, so gentle.

I stare into the depths of his blue eyes. “You’ll see, when you find her.”

Sam nods, pressing his lips into a tight line. I know him well enough to know that’s what he does when he’s fighting back tears.

“I hope you two work it out,” he finally breathes. “And for that to happen, you probably need to stay here.”

“I know,” I nod. “You and Chris can still head back in the morning, but I can’t go back to Denver. Not yet.”

He nods back at me, dropping his arms from around my waist. And for the first time I can remember, things feel awkward between us.

“Well, I’m gonna get some sleep, then,” he says, backing toward the door.

“Of course.” I wipe the tears from my cheeks, forcing a smile. “Goodnight, Sam.”

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