Page 76 of Can't Be Love

I snagged Maddie around the waist and pulled her to me as she yelped. I hugged my sister as she grinned against my shoulder. I let her go and took a serious look at her.

“I’m not going to lie and say I didn’t harbor some resentment towards you all those years, but if I’ve learned anything lately, it’s that no good comes from channeling negativity towards someone you love. It’s too easy to do and hurts more than anything. I was angry you left, and even angrier that you didn’t return. I was young, and I had my reasons, but none of that matters now that you’re back. I don’t want to be the biggest douchebag on the planet any more than I want to resent you for those lost years. I say we start a clean slate right here, right now. I don’t really know you anymore, and you don’t know me, but I’d like a chance to fix that.”

Lily was crying with a huge smile on her face as she nodded at me.

Maddie and I hugged just as baby Sara sounded off from the nursery upstairs.

“I’ll get her,” Lily volunteered, jumping up and quickly leaving the room.

“You’re really good for her, you know?” Maddie observed.

“You think?” I asked.

“I know. She’s happy, like really happy. I think you are, too. And you’re right. It’s been a long time, Thomas. I’m sorry. I’m sorry for everything, but I’d really like to get to know the man you are today.” She snorted. “Man? How did that happen? My little brother is a grown man, mated and everything. It’s crazy!”

“And you? You’re a mother, Mad. How insane do you think that is?”

“They’re good kids. You’re going to love them, and I bet you’ll be a wonderful uncle.”

“You think? I do like kids,” I confessed.

Lily walked back in cradling Sara. I had a momentary flash of her holding our future child as she rocked her and cooed sweet nothings. Lily was going to be a great mother. She was a natural, whether she realized it or not.

As if channeling some weird psychic connection from just thinking of the Pack, my phone rang. I looked down to see it was my dad. Swiping the screen, I quickly answered it.

“Dad, what’s up?”

“Lily’s been issued her first challenge. I need you both to return home immediately.”

Lily

Chapter 27

Thomas had been a nervous wreck ever since his dad’s call came in. I was getting a little annoyed. I told him to have some faith in me. I was a Westin. I had trained my entire life for this. I wasn’t worried one bit. Sure, fighting was not high on my fun list, but I was fast and strong enough to hold my own against any she-wolf.

The closer we got to Collier, the more relaxed I felt. It was the feeling of home, of Pack. It was what I’d expected to find going home to San Marco, but it never came. I sadly realized for the first time that my wolf’s allegiance had already shifted. Maybe it came with the bond. I wasn’t sure. But I wasn’t a Westin anymore. I was a Collier.

When we arrived at the Alpha house, Zach met us and quickly ushered us into his office.

“Who, Dad? Please tell me it’s not Sydney . . . but who else would do this?” Thomas said, clearly upset by the challenge I’d received.

“It’s not Syd, son. It’s Jessie.”

I hadn’t met a Jessie. I was certain of it, but by the way Thomas grabbed the back of a chair and braced himself, I knew it had to be bad.

“Has her wolf even come in yet?” he asked his dad.

“What?” I demanded. “I’m being challenged by a pup?”

“Her wolf surfaced just last month,” Zach informed us. “She has the right to challenge. I’m sorry, I couldn’t talk her out of it. Maybe you’ll have better luck, son.”

“When can we meet with her?” Thomas asked.

“The both of you? Together? Do you really think that’s wise?”

“Yes sir. I think it’s the only way.”

Zach considered it and nodded. “You know her best. I’ll make the arrangements.”

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