Page 6 of Devon

“Iwantto say something.”

But maybe Devon didn’t want to hear it.In fact, hedefinitelydidn’t want to hear it.Whatever venom Kendrick was about to unleash on him, he didn’t need to know.

He already knew how Kendrick felt about him.Devon was annoying and pushy.He’d made a fool of himself by thinking that Kendrick could ever feel anything for him.Even if Jonas hadn’t been Kendrick’s mate, Kendrick wouldn’t have chosen him.Devon couldn’t compare to Jonas, and he hadn’t been trying to.He’d been desperately looking for someone to love him, but that wasn’t going to happen, at least not in a romantic way.

Melissa and Haley cared about him.The three of them had gone through hell together, and it had pulled them closer.But now that they had a normal life, Devon wouldn’t be surprised if, eventually, they drifted away.Haley was Melissa’s daughter, but Devon was no one to either of them.Haley would make friends and would forget about him.Melissa would be focused on her real daughter and building herself a life in the village.

Maybe that was why he’d been trying so hard to find someone else, someone who would want him for him.He’d known he’d end up alone eventually, and he didn’t want that.

He’d failed.

“You don’t have to panic,” Kendrick said gently.“Everything’s fine.”

But everything wasn’t fine.Devon had to go.He had to find a job, focus on making enough money to leave, and do just that.A mate hadn’t been in his plans, and it still wasn’t.Ryan had to be confused or wrong.

Devon shouldn’t be talking to Kendrick, though.He turned his attention back to Ryan, who was frowning at both of them.

Ryan was cute, even when he didn’t look happy.He and Devon seemed to be about the same age.Devon hadn’t known Kendrick had a brother, but it didn’t matter.Kendrick wouldn’t have told him about his brother.He didn’t like or know Devon.Devon was nothing to him.

“You’re wrong,” Devon said.His voice shook, and he had to resist the urge to run.

Ryan didn’t look like he was willing to admit that.“I’m not.You should feel the bond between us.I know you’re not a shifter, but still.It’s there.”

It might be, but Devon would do his best to ignore it.He couldn’t afford this.He didn’t want to deal with any of it.He didn’t want to tell Ryan that he’d pursued his brother and had made a fool of himself.He didn’t want to tell anyone that he was planning on leaving.

He just needed to focus on his plan, do what was necessary, and ignore everything else.

Including Ryan.

For some reason, Ryan seemed to understand what Devon was thinking.He raised his hands, and Devon quickly stepped away.Ryan looked hurt.Maybe he thought that Devon believed he was going to hurt him, but that wasn’t it.Devon didn’t wantanyoneto touch him, including Ryan, and it had nothing to do with thinking that Ryan would hurt him.He just couldn’t afford to break down.

“I promise you that I’m not lying,” Ryan said.“Youaremy mate.I could smell it as soon as I was close enough to you.It doesn’t mean we have to get together right away or anything like that.I’m not going to pressure you.I just want a chance to talk to you.”

Devon shook his head.“I’m sorry.I can’t do this.”

“You can’t do what?Talk?”

“Any of this.If I’m really your mate, I feel sorry for you.I know it won’t be easy, but you should forget me.”It would be best for everyone.Devon would be able to leave as soon as he could, and Ryan could find someone else to be with.

Devon tried to ignore the way that made him feel.It didn’t matter if Ryan found someone else.In fact, it would be for the best.Ryan probably wouldn’t even try until Devon was out of his life, though, which meant that Devon needed to put distance between them.

“I’m sorry,” he repeated before turning.He heard Ryan call out for him, but he acted as if he didn’t.He rushed away, stumbling on tree roots and almost falling on his face a few times.

He didn’t care.If he’d fallen, he would’ve welcomed the pain.

It was what he deserved after the pain he’d caused.

Chapter Two

––––––––

WHEN DEVON RAN AWAY, Ryan moved to go after him.Why wouldn’t he?That was his mate, and for some reason, he was so distraught to find out they belonged together that he was running from Ryan.

Kendrick grabbed Ryan’s shoulder and kept him where he was.Ryan frowned and pulled, but his brother wouldn’t let go.

“Don’t,” Kendrick said.

“But he’s leaving.I have to go after him and talk to him.”He had to convince Devon to at least give him a chance and to listen to him.

---