Page 94 of Destined Mate

When I reached the bedroom door, he cleared his throat behind me.

My heart pounded so hard I was sure it would explode from my chest.

“Can we talk?” he rasped.

“We don’t have to.” I kept my back to him, fearing what I’d see on his face. “We’ve already had this conversation, and…what you said earlier tonight doesn’t change anything.”

His breath caught. “Please, Callie.”

I placed my fingers to my lips and blew out a breath, then raised my hand toward where I believed the moon to be. I had to remind myself that Bodey had good intentions.

“Fuck anything I said before tonight,” he growled. “I need a second chance to have this conversation.”

Everything inside me screamed at me to ignore him…to run into my room. But I’d had way too much time to think about our relationship, and I wouldn’t be as reactive as last time. Maybe if we talked, I could get the closure I currently lacked.

Forcing myself to turn around, I locked eyes with him and nodded. I wouldn’t run or hide, no matter how badly it hurt. I would listen and accept what he said, no matter how my heart shattered.

Hell, maybe my own fated mate was out there.

With that thought, I couldn’t imagine wanting to be with anyone other than Bodey. How could any man be better than the strong, caring, protective, sexy man standing before me? I couldn’t fathom it.

He swallowed audibly. “Can we go on the deck?” He nodded to the one where we’d shared our kiss, and the memory of how he’d felt and tasted flitted into my mind.

My throat was so thick I couldn’t respond, so I opened my door and led the way to the deck. He followed me, and when I stepped outside, I spotted his guitar. It lay against the railing next to the swing.

A candle glowed on the round table in the center of the deck, the slightly cold February breeze making the flame flicker.

I hurried over to sit on the side of the swing where I’d beenthatnight. I needed to be able to fidget.

Bodey shut the bedroom door behind him.

I didn’t know what I’d expected, but it wasn’t him stalking over to me, taking the spot on the other side of the swing, and picking up his guitar.

As if this had been his plan all along, he arched a brow. “Do you mind if I play a song? Sometimes, music helps get my message across better than words.”

That I understood all too well.

A smart person would have said no. When he played, something deep inside me yearned for him even more. I was most vulnerable to him when there was no question he understood me in a way no one else did.

I couldn’t bring myself to deny him. “Are we going to bother your parents?” I glanced at their house. All their lights were still off. The last time we were out here, his mom had noticed us and made comments.

“No.” He positioned the guitar on his lap, getting ready to strum the chords. “They’re staying at the motel with the other former alphas to keep tabs on the queen’s next move. Everything is handled. They’re dealing with the wolves we lost tonight.”

“Then why didwecome back here? Shouldn’t we have stayed and helped?” I placed my hands in my lap, looking for somewhere safe to put them. I already wanted to touch him.

He strummed a short chord. “This is the most secure spot for Samuel. Our pack is strong, and most of them are here, along with the coven. Our wolves are patrolling the area, and the witches are placing perimeters spells. If the queen is dead set on attacking Samuel, we can stop her here. Jack, Lucas, Miles, and Stella, along with their alphas who were attending the dinner, will be here within the next hour. They’ll spread out in the bachelor pad and at my parents’ house. We’ll all ride together to the coronation tomorrow to protect Samuel.”

He was so honest and forthcoming, with no hidden agenda. It was one reason I loved him.

I noticed his hands were shaking. He’d never seemed nervous about playing around me before. I opened my mouth to ask why, but then he began playing a song.

After a few chords, I recognized it: “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran. As he played, the lyrics filtered through my head. My stomach fluttered as tears blurred my vision. A tear trailed down my cheek, and I wiped it away. I sucked in a breath as our eyes locked, and he continued to play.

I didn’t know why he was playingthissong for me, but when he reached the second chorus, I touched his arm. I couldn’t hear anymore. Ever since I’d left that place, lyrics had become too painful, and to hear him play this song next to me was worse than him telling me we couldn’t be together. It was like he wanted me to know he loved me despite us remaining apart.

He frowned and bit his bottom lip. “What’s wrong?” he asked tentatively, which wasn’t like him.

One thing was certain—I shouldn’t have come out here. I’d thought I could handle this, but I’d beensowrong. A sharp ache shot through my chest, and I stood. “I’m sorry. The song is beautiful, but I can’t do this.”

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