Page 7 of True Wolf

“But she’s not the problem, Zion. You’re not angry with me because you think I made her leave, you’re not upset because I fucked her and you didn’t…” He smirked before his expressionturned serious. “You’re angry because of who you thought she was and who you know she isn’t.”

Again, he was right.

“I didn’t want a mate.”

“No, you didn’t, not before you assumed you had one. That feeling is indescribable. The way it consumes you, makes you feel whole when you hadn’t realized you were empty, is hard to ignore. I know what it’s like to experience that pull and I also know what it’s like to not have it anymore.”

“I’m fine,” I gritted, lifting the bottle and turning it up but before the liquor bypassed my lips, Xander yanked it from my hand and hurled it out into the woods beyond my porch.

“What the fuck, Xan? That was a hundred-dollar bottle.”

“I’ll pay for it. You’re done with this shit. You want to get lost in something? Find a replacement. A very soft and sexy replacement. Not that.” He pointed to the bottle. “Maybe it will help you erase the memories of what you thought you lost.”

I smirked. “You haven’t tried to push me toward getting laid since I was a kid.”

“You were sixteen. You weren’t a kid.”

“Young enough.”

“And I didn’t push you. I made it possible for you to have access because I was sick of you crying about that damned woman.”

I glared at him. “I wasn’t crying.”

He arched his brow and my eyes narrowed more. “The fuck, Xan, I wasn’t crying.”

“Close, she broke your tender little heart, Zi.”

“And you offered me several very eager women who were determined to piece it back together for me. Much like you’re doing now. I suppose your answer to all things is pussy.”

“Not all things, but with this, yes. Now go get dressed. Jo planned something to welcome you home and if I don’t have youthere by seven both Jo and Toyin are going to be on my ass. Jo’s been worried sick about you. If you don’t show, she’s going to be crushed and Laz is going to be pissed.”

“I don’t give a damn about Laz being pissed but I do care about getting on Jo’s bad side. That’s a scary place to be.” I grinned and he laughed.

“Insinuating ourLunais scarier than theAlphais a scary place to be.”

“Yeah, don’t tell your brother I said that or he will be the one crying.”

“I’ll keep that one to myself.” Xander smiled smugly.

I turned to walk away but Xander caught my arm to stop me. After a long pause he grabbed me into a hug. “I’m glad you’re home, Zion, and I apologize for leaving the way I did.”

I hugged him back and pulled away. “You already apologized.”

“I did but now I truly understand what that was like for you.” His eyes met mine, communicating how me shutting him out the past three months made him feel. I nodded and walked inside with the knowledge that my brother and I had a new understanding. No more leaving for any of us.

CHAPTER FOUR

NESSAH

Ishoved the last of my things into my duffle and glanced around the bedroom which had been my place of peace for the past three months. My heart clenched with the realization that once again I would have to leave.

There was comfort in knowing I wouldn’t be alone this time. However, that comfort was matched by the guilt I felt from my cousin Mina choosing to go also. This was her pack, and because of me, she was leaving.

“It’s my choice, Nessah. Don’t feel bad.” Her voice startled me and brought a frown to my face. When I peeked over my shoulder to find Mina standing in the doorway, she smiled.

“I don’t.”

“You do. I feel your conflict loud as fuck.”

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