Page 6 of Destined Bear

Finn laughed, picking up a fry and dipping it in the ketchup.

“Thank you. I do appreciate that. This den is incredibly welcoming, and you’re doing a great job as aBetaby making sure that I’m fine.”

Something about the way he said my title stung.

“I’m well-versed in the number of people I have at my disposal to listen to my concerns. I’ve already spoken with Jayce and Corey. I promise that all is well.”

That should satisfy me, right? I was doing my job as a Beta to make sure that he was taken care of, and he assured me there wasn’t anything amiss. Still, that didn’t settle my bear or myself. I wanted to know what was the matter. I wanted to know what I could do to help, to fix whatever it was that brought the sadness to his eyes. If only there was a way to take it from him, to shoulder it for him.

I nodded, because what else was there for me to do? I couldn’t force him to talk to me. That would defeat the purpose of all things.

“Enjoy your meal.”

He opened his mouth as if to say something, and I waited. We just sat there for a minute, looking at one another, neither of us speaking a word. Finally, he closed his mouth, cleared his throat.

“Thanks, Patrick.”

Right. So that was that.

I went back to the kitchen and started cleaning up after the lunch rush. I didn’t bother dealing with any of the new orders. Archer would handle those. I let myself get lost in my work. Soon, it would be time for me to go home.

Perhaps there, I could clear my mind and figure out how to understand what was bothering me about Finn. Something had upset him, and I didn’t want to go to the Alpha until I knew what it was. I wanted to be the one to fix it. I wanted to be the one he leaned on, even if I didn’t deserve to be that bear. But I was bear enough to know that sometimes it was best to let Alpha take care of it—to know that I wasn’t the one who had the skills needed.

I feel sorry for whoever’s stuck with you as a mate, Pat. Hopefully you won’t have one.I clenched my fist, trying to squeeze my father’s words from my mind. They’d been rushing at me more and more lately, and I fucking hated it.

Once I was finished with all the tasks I could possibly do, I took off my apron, threw it in the hamper, and washed my hands. Just as I was about to go out to the dining area, Archer stopped me.

“Finn just left.”

My stomach twisted. “Left for good? Why? Where would he have gone?” I let out a growl.

Archer held up his hands. “Easy there, boss. I think he just went home early.”

Right. Of course. I didn’t let myself dwell on the fact that Archer knew I was looking for Finn and not just going out to the dining area for other reasons. Not that I had ever gone out into the dining area much anyway. Today was probably the first time in a month I’d been out there, but I had no choice. My bear wouldn’t allow me to ignore Finn when he was hurting so, even if I could, which I couldn’t.

“Good. Hopefully, he’ll speak to the Alpha about whatever it is that’s bothering him.” I didn’t want him going to another, but since I couldn’t be the alpha he needed right now, I was glad Alpha was there for him.

Archer shook his head. “Or, you know, you could go see what’s bothering him.”

Why did the jerk need to be right? I tried, but did I give it my best? Probably not. My desire not to push held me back.

“Don’t you think I tried? He won’t talk to me. Besides, it’s not my business.”

Archer just looked at me, wide-eyed. “I don’t know, man. Why would you care that he’s upset anyway? Last week, Nora was in here crying for two hours. You didn’t even notice.”

There was a den member crying in my café, and I hadn’t noticed? “Was she all right?”

“Yes, of course, she was. The point is, no one else noticed that Finn was upset, except for you. Why do you think that is?”

“I don’t know.” Except I did.

“Oh, for goddess’ sake.” Archer shook his head. “You’re a lost cause.”

I snorted. It wasn’t the first time I’d heard those words. My father—the Alpha of his own den, which had long since dispersed because he was a shitty Alpha—had reminded me of that all the time. His voice still lingered in my mind though he had been dead for nearly a decade.

At least Archer meant it lightly. He saw worth in me for goddess knew what reason.

Having had enough of the day, I left the diner and went home.

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