Page 26 of Scent of Home

Those are facts.

But I do have work. A reputation and my integrity.

A trainee.

And a reason to stay. An enormous mountain of a reason.

It’s enough to keep me here one more day.

Chapter eight

Shane

It’s unfortunate that I’vemanaged to run into the alpha and Finn again. After I left the diner hours ago, I’d gone to the library, searching for the answer to why my book isn’t flowing. As usual, it was a waste of time. I’d exited the building when it closed and run straight into Finn, who greeted me with exuberance that was slightly unnerving.

But seeing Finn reminds me of the cruel words I’d thrown at Bray. I close my eyes, hearing again the words I wished I could take back. All I remember was the way I felt everyone’s eyes on me. I remember willing him to stop talking, and then, like usual, my temper exploded out, and I just spit out the venom.

It’s better this way.

And yet, I can’t escape Finn. He is my conscience, whispering in my ear, chiding me for my bad behaviour, and trying to guide me in directions I don’t want to go.

I stand perfectly still as Erin turns towards me. She doesn’t smile, just tilts her head to the side and watches me. There is a strength in her I find lacking in me. I spent a few hours last night writing everything I could remember about her, but I’ve got more tonight to add to the list.

She is fascinating.

“Walk with us?” Finn asks.

I want to tell him no, but I don’t have the ability to speak. I simply make a sound that I hope will decline their offer and then jerk when Erin threads a hand around my arm and walks, drawing me with her.

She had commanded me to stop. Hours later, I’m still replaying that command in my mind, over and over. I wish she’d done it earlier. I curse that she acted so slowly. Would that I could take back the words that lashed more wounds in Brayson Langley.

Still, it’s fascinating that she was able to tell me to stop, and I felt the need to listen. Her hand is so small on my arm. I take note of the feel and colour on the nails, how they catch the light. Even after hours wandering the town, she still looks as good as she did this morning.

“Shane, Finn said you’re an author? What do you write?”

“Poetry,” I say shortly. It’s not entirely truthful, I did. But that was before. It normally stops any more inane questions about what I write. “Where are you from?”

“I’m from Chesterfield.”

I nod. I’ve been there, it’s an ugly little city, very little green. It’s the definition of a concrete jungle. I make a sound of disgust.

Erin turns to me with a smile. “You must save all your words for the books, Alpha.”

I eye her out of the corner of my eyes, but it’s at that point that Bray and Locke appear and, to be honest, I am relieved. I have no idea what to say to this woman.

I watch Bray as he quietly returns Locke. It’s strange how defeated he looks. I want to stop him and ask if something’s happened. But I know it’s me. I’m the problem. I cause the pain on Bray’s face. It has been true since the day I walked into this tiny town and met him. He rocked my entire world. I knew instantly that he was mine.

But where Bray’s expression is familiar, Locke’s confusion and hurt are new.

The silence is tense.

Finn talks, but when I think he will stop Bray, he lets him go. Why does he do that? I don’t understand the tension between Bray and Finn, but they are competition and on opposing sides of the town. Bray is the bad boy with a reputation that is blown out of proportion. Finn’s reputation is golden and untarnished, and the town loves to throw them at each other.

I rub my jaw, try to shove the distracting thoughts away, and turn back to study Erin.

She reaches out and touches Locke’s back. He turns and steps into her, moulding himself to her. I pay attention to the way she reacts, her eyes scanning the environment, her hands clinging to his. When she shifts her weight, so does he. It’s instinctual, a dance, symbiotic movement.

She’s tense, defensive, protective. Why?

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