Page 8 of Kendrick

He didn’t know what to do. Should he leave these two alone? It was clear Kendrick didn’t want anything to do with Devon, so he’d let him down gently, but something told Jonas that wouldn’t be enough to get rid of Devon. He was clinging on, even though Jonas had told him that one of them was his mate. Mostpeople would have at least allowed him to find out which one it was, but not Devon.

It looked like if Jonas wanted to know for sure, he’d have to take matters into his own hands. He didn’t like that, because he wasn’t sure what was happening, but he suspected he wouldn’t have a choice. At the very least, Kendrick wanted him to stay and help, so maybe that was what Jonas should do, mates or not mates.

“Devon, you need to stop this,” Kendrick said. “I’ve already told you that I don’t want to be with you. You’re too young, and I see you as a younger brother, not as someone I could fall in love with. Besides, if Jonas is right and one of us is his mate, then that person is supposed to be with him.”

“I don’t care if I’m his mate,” Devon yelled. “I want to be with you, and that’s that. If I’m his mate, he can fuck all the way off.”

“I’d be happy to do just that if you’re my mate,” Jonas said.

More than ever, he was convinced that he and Kendrick belonged together. He’d never done anything so bad that the universe would give him Devon has a mate, right? He wasn’t evil. He’d killed Kudlaks, but that was his job, and it wasn’t like he’d been good at it anyway. Most of his life, he’d kept his head down, had worked hard, and had done everything he could to help Caroline and Alexis. Why would he be being punished for that?

“No.”

Kendrick’s voice was strong and sent a shiver down Jonas’s back. How would Kendrick sound in the bedroom? Would he use that authoritative tone? Would he make Jonas beg for it?

“You need to stop this, Devon,” Kendrick continued, pulling Jonas right out of his daydreaming. “It doesn’t matter if one of us is Jonas’s mate. Even if neither of us is, it won’t change the fact that I don’t want to be with you. I don’t want you, Devon. We could have been friends, but you’re ruining everything by pushing and pushing for something I don’t want and never will.You need to back down, before I talk to Clay and Rowan. I don’t want to, but you’re not taking no for an answer, and frankly, I’m getting worried that something will happen if this continues.”

Devon’s eyes were wide and full of pain. A pang of pity squeezed Jonas’s chest. He hadn’t wanted to hurt the brat. He just wanted Devon to stop being such a child. He was throwing a tantrum and trying to force Kendrick into a relationship with him, as if Kendrick were nothing more than a doll.

Jonas wasn’t sure anyone could get through to Devon, unfortunately.

* * * *

Kendrick didn’t know what to do. He didn’t think Jonas would attack Devon, even though Devon was being a dick, but he wouldn’t put it past Devon to attack Jonas. Devon was pissed and clearly wanted to take it out on Jonas, and Kendrick wouldn’t blame Jonas for defending himself if he had to.

But if Kendrick was Jonas’s mate, he didn’t want their relationship to start like this. He had to get rid of Devon, but trying to convince the kid to go home wasn’t working. Now that Devon knew Kendrick was probably Jonas’s mate, he’d latched onto Kendrick even harder, which Kendrick hadn’t thought was possible. He ignored everything Kendrick said, and Kendrick suspected he’d continue doing so no matter how many times he repeated himself.

He hoped for everyone’s sake that he was Jonas’s mate. If it was Devon, Jonas would have a hard time convincing him to give him a chance, let alone be with him. It might not be a bad thing because of how young Devon was and everything he’d gone through, but it still wouldn’t be easy for Jonas.

But ifKendrickwas Jonas’s mate, it would be much easier. Well, once they dealt with Devon, anyway.

Right now, none of them knew who Jonas’s mate was, and it was time to find out for sure.

Devon was still standing in front of Kendrick as if to protect him. Kendrick sidestepped him and moved toward Jonas, ignoring the way Devon tried to catch his arm. He shook off the touch, came to a stop in front of Jonas, and tilted his head. “You can sniff me.”

Jonas snickered. “So romantic. You and I are meant to be together.”

“If we’re mates, we are.”

“What are you doing?” Devon demanded to know from behind Kendrick.

Kendrick ignored him. He was focused on the feeling of Jonas leaning against him, getting right into his personal space, and sniffing him. It shouldn’t have been as sexy as it was.

“Yeah, it’s you,” Jonas said, sounding relieved. “You’re my mate.”

Devon screamed, and Kendrick wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d stomped his foot. He was acting like a child, and even though Kendrick still didn’t want to hurt him, he had enough.

He turned to Devon. “Stop. Clay and Rowan are inside the house, and they’ll hear you. If you don’t want to get in trouble, you should stop screaming and start listening.”

Devon snapped his mouth shut and glared. For a moment, Kendrick hoped it meant he was finally over his crush, but he knew he wouldn’t be so lucky. Devon turned his glare to Jonas. Kendrick suspected that Jonas’s smug expression wasn’t helping.

“I still don’t believe it,” Devon said. “You could be lying. You’re the only one who knows for sure since Kendrick is human.”

“Do you really think I would have chosen a man with a kid-shaped problem?” he said, gesturing at Devon. “No offense,” he added, winking at Kendrick.

Kendrick wasn’t offended. He could imagine how this mess looked from Jonas’s point of view. He’d caught his mate’s scent, had followed it, and had stumbled onto his mate kissing another man. Kendrick had pushed Devon away almost instantly, but depending on the kind of person Jonas was, it might not be enough.

“I hate you,” Devon snarled.

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