Page 78 of Stella

“You didn’t,” Evan said. “You included us in movie nights, date nights, everything.

“It was Ava who kept us at arm’s length,” Jerrick added quietly. “Stella doesn’t do that.”

“Pretty sure she’s with us in spite of you, actually.” Evan smirked.

I snorted. “We definitely clash more.”

“You’re too much alike,” Jerrick said. “She’s scared of being hurt.”

I leaned my head against a pillow. How had I messed everything up so badly?

“I don’t really think she’s out for my money,” I said slowly. “But my whole life…”

It was no excuse, but my mind paraded before me all the so-called friends I’d had as a child, even more when I was a teenager. People who asked me to put in a good word for them at my dad’s firm. People who wanted to be invited to parties and galas. People who wanted donors to their newest start-up business.

“Yep, life’s hard.” Evan patted my shoulder. “I’ve never been alpha enough. But guess what? I love you enough to not care. I’m alpha enough for you two and for Stella, and that’s all that matters to me.”

“You are,” Jerrick said with a chuckle. “Every time you mention your kids she gets that lusty look on her face.”

Evan blushed but looked pleased. She wanted them for who they were, not as second best.

I loved her. It was a stark realization now that I’d driven her away; but I loved her. I was miserable because I’d effectively cut my own soul in half.

It was time I got my head out of my ass.

“How am I supposed to make this up to her? She’ll probably try to stab me the next time I see her.”

“How do you prove you trust her not to be a gold digger?” Evan shrugged. “I don’t know how to make up. I’m not the asshole of the pack. You’re her alpha as much as me. What does she need to feel safe and secure?”

What did my omega need? Really need?

My first instinct was to buy her something expensive, to really show her how much I cared.

But that wasn’t right. Stella didn’t need diamonds or fancy cars. She loved her family and loved helping people. She showed me in a hundred ways who she really was, like Ava had. I was too blind to see it, but it was there for me to read.

Stella was afraid of being hurt, because her last pack made her choose between being herself and being with them. I had to show her that I trusted her to make her own choices.

I sat up. “I know exactly what to do.”

“Awesome, Romeo.” Evan pushed me in the direction of the bathroom. “Shower first, grovel second.”

Chapter23

Stella

Golden cliffs backed me as I stared out into the ocean. Salt and water merged with the scent of brine, making me think of home.

I’d traveled to other places, but I didn’t think I would ever be able to live where I couldn’t smell the the ocean.

Zephyr had helped me with my mission and then all but ordered me to the beach. The ocean soothed my nerves, smoothing out both the sand and my own troubled heart.

It would give me the fortitude I need in order to talk to my pack. I needed them, and the thought still terrified me. It hurt too badly to be without them, so I would have to suck it up.

I inhaled, holding a lungful of salty air. The sun hung low in the sky, not quite sunset, and turned everything golden.

There were so many experiences still to have with my pack. I’d wanted to drag them down to this secluded piece of the beach and make love under starlight. I wanted to see their faces as we opened Christmas presents. I wanted a life with them, even though my stomach still dropped in fear.

I loved them so much, but what if we couldn’t make it work?

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