Page 67 of Love Bites Hard

“They are,” I said.

His hand brushed mine, and my throat swelled with the soft, intimate touch.

I pulled it away.

“My sisters were my best friends,” he said. “I was the oldest. It was my job to protect them. But we were all so close in age that as they learned how to protect themselves, the responsibility faded out. We did everything together. I considered Hale, Evan, and Bane good friends, but I did everything with Lana and Eve. Our parents too, a lot of the time.”

I glanced over at him, and saw him still staring up at the canopy.

“They taught all three of us how to become the alpha, even though we all knew I was the one who’d take the mantle when it became necessary. Lana and Eve could kick ass, but theywere softer than me. And an alpha can’t be soft. Your sister Clementine reminds me of them. Bright. Cheerful. Smart. Nice.”

“I’m not any of those things.”

He chuckled. “Like hell you aren’t.”

“I guess I’m smart,” I corrected myself. “Smart enough to know how to win our war, at least. I definitely wouldn’t call myself cheerful, though. Definitely not nice.”

“You consistently accept presents you don’t want from pack members you aren’t interested in forming relationships with, because it’s the right thing to do. You don’t think that’s nice?”

“I call that basic human kindness. I would’ve tried to help them, if I was nice. Clem would’ve tried to help them.”

“My sisters would’ve, too. Even if it cost them their sanity. You’re not soft, Izzy, but that’s not a bad thing. I wouldn’t have mated with you if were soft. I couldn’t survive breaking the woman I tied my life with. I’m not a good man, but I have limits.”

“You had already agreed to mate with one of us. It could’ve easily been Clem.”

“I was desperate, but not desperate enough to ruin someone whose personality couldn’t survive with mine. I saw the steel in your eyes when we met. I knew you could handle it.” He paused. “That doesn’t mean you should have to handle the shit I’ve put you through, though. I should’ve realized what I was doing sooner.”

“You’ve been in the dark a long time.” I didn’t want to excuse him, but we both knew it was the truth. “Hale warned me when I agreed to mate with you. They all tried to talk me out of it. Ichose this. I’m not going to let you get away with being shitty—but being here was my choice.”

“I’m glad it was you.”

Somehow, despite everything, I was too.

His hand brushed mine again.

This time, I didn’t have the heart to pull away.

He slipped his palm against mine and his fingers between my own. My throat swelled, but my chest warmed.

Maybe I could understand why Blair liked holding Hale’s hand after all.

“Is the constant magic a part of your sex war?” he asked me, after a few minutes of silence that felt suspiciouslypeaceful.

Oh.

Right.

“No. Pushing my magic out into the water is just draining. No amount of control can stop me from radiating right now.”

“You’re hungry?” His grip on my hand tightened slightly. “You should’ve said something.”

“I thought you’d realize.”

“I know next to nothing about sirens. I planned on asking Hale for the information when your sisters were here, but I was preoccupied with fighting the urge to drown myself in an attempt to get to you.”

My lips curved upward. “Siren magic is a bitch.”

“The sexiest bitch,” Porter agreed. “You can feed without kissing me. That wouldn’t affect the sex war, right?”

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