Page 67 of Break The Ice

Raider inhales and exhales and nods his head. “All right, let’s get this over with.”

I look between the two of them and wonder what to do.

Kelly’s aura is potent, so potent.

But Raider looks just as strong.

With the pack disappearing to deal with this, the press have lost interest. I wander through the throng, making sure I avoid my uncle, who appears to be searching for me. As soon as I get the chance, I discreetly leave the room, only to be caught by Wren, who pulls me to the side. He looms over me.

“Where do you think you are going?”

Kelly paces the packs’lounge room and throws his hands in the air. The conversation has been going round and round for an hour. Kelly hasn’t been able to break through Raider’s wall of hurt.

“What do you want from me, Raider?”

“You left, you keep leaving, save us both the trouble, and do it again.”

“Fucking hell, Raider!” Kelly shouts. And I can tell he’s close to giving up, only sheer stubbornness is keeping him here.

“Just go!”

“Not until we talk this out. I didn’t leave you. I left because I had to. Do you think it was easy? Do you think giving up everything I love and care about was easy? I can’t even believe I have to have this argument with you. Do you think I wanted to go? Seriously? Me? I love our family and home!”

“So why did you?”

“Because I had to!” Kelly roars, finally losing his shit.

I stare at them. The two of them are so damn similar, but I can see that Kelly is struggling. There is something desperate about his attempts to reach Raider. But he’s getting nowhere. Raider is too deeply entrenched in his pain.

“I can’t stay. I have to go!” Kelly says and swipes his blond locks off his face.

“Oh, here we go!” Raider scoffs. “Leaving again.”

“Raider,” I call out, “stop.”

Kelly turns my way, and I study his face. Whatever has caused him to go to the other end of the world is bad enough that he is breaking apart.

Raider is watching me with a look that is a mix of hurt, betrayal, and surprise.

“Is someone watching you?” I ask Kelly carefully while keeping an eye on Raider, who jolts violently.

Kelly doesn’t say anything, but his expression gives him away.

“Who?” Raider shouts, storming to Kelly and grabbing him by the shirt. “Who is watching you?”

Kelly doesn’t answer. He steps back, his face shuttering, but I can see the wary hesitation in his eyes. He turns back to me, but, this time, his mask is back on.

“Look, Raider, I didn’t leave you because I wanted to. I can’t come home yet. There are things I need to do first, and it’s taking me longer than I expected to get it done. I hope I can return one day. I’m trying, I’m trying to come home.”

Raider slumps. “Everyone leaves.”

Kelly turns, and, to my surprise, he leans down and hugs Raider. I see his lips move. A message between brothers.

I shake my head, hurting for my alpha.

Wait, my alpha?

“Forgive Bethany, Raider. She was your best friend. She did what she thought was best, and her life was harder because of it.”

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