Page 61 of Vicious Wolf Mate

“Both of you, please calm down. We don’t need to get in another accident,” I plead.

“How can you tell us to be calm? That whore broke Jax's heart and is fucking with the man that caused his death. You should befurioustoo!” Mace yells.

“I am furious! I hate that bitch as much as you two do, believe me. I want to get a good punch at her when I have the chance. But we have to concentrate on the plan and try to be calm about it. I know it’s going to be difficult for you and Gnash but everything will be resolved for Jax’s sake.”

Their response is to grumble.

“Don’t get carried away when you're fighting with Natalie. Gnash and I are the ones that can kill her. You take care of killing your father.”

“We’ll see how things turn out. For now, let’s just sleep early and maybe get some food in our system.”

They’re quiet for a moment. I can see the hotel sign already. Finally, we’re here.

Mace pipes up. “The plan in general is a lot for the three of us to do alone.”

“I know,” I say as I pull up in the hotel parking lot.

I’m ready to just knock out. I don’t have the energy to continue the conversation. All the holes in the plan will have to be dealt with tomorrow.

“What the fuck?’ Gnash says.

I turn to where he’s looking. Internally, I have the same reaction as him. Standing by the front doors of the hotel, is Drario.

43

MACE

Iget out of the car. Mckenna calls after me. I shut the door to stop her and Gnash from getting out.

“I don’t want to fight,” I say as I approach him.

He sighs. “I don’t either.”

There’s a quiet moment between us. Where do we even begin? Should I mention the truce again? Apologize about framing him again?

He glances at the car. “Mckenna told me about Jax.”

My shoulders drop. “Oh. I see.”

“I’m sorry for your loss. I can only imagine how difficult it’s been for you and Gnash.”

“Thank you, but it’s a little hard to believe what you’re saying right now. I didn’t think you would follow us to offer your condolences.”

“Well, that wasn't the whole reason for it. But I got to thinking, and thought that maybe picking a fight with you wouldn’t feel right to me.”

“I know I fucked up. I’ll apologize for it as much as you want me to—”

He raises his hand. “At the end of the day, we all want the same thing. I also lost a brother before and I know what it feels like.”

The last part of his sentence he looks at me with sympathy.

“But I guess I’m one of the lucky ones to have found him again.”

My heart stings. All these years thinking Drario was dead were years wasted. We could’ve made both our clans stronger. Only, I’m one member less.

“Thanks, Drario. It really means a lot to me. Maybe we can someday go back to the way we were.”

“Maybe. We still have a lot of work to do before we find out.”

---