Page 37 of His Place in the World
“I remember.I thought you’d see that you could have what you need here.This is your home.”
“Not anymore.I already talked to Cam, and he agreed I could become a member of his pack.It’s what makes more sense.Del is a member of the Rosewood pack, and his entire family is there.On the other hand, there’s nothing keeping me in Wakefield.”
“I thought you cared about us.”
“I do, but it’s time for me to move on.I’ll still help Wakefield as much as I can, and I’ll make sure anyone who replaces me is trained, but this is it for me.”
“Is it only because of Del?”
It was tempting to lie.Angus almost did.“No.I know you did everything you could to make me feel like I was home here, but I always knew I wasn’t.Several pack members made sure I couldn’t forget.”
Angela briefly closed her eyes.“I should have kept a better eye on you.”
“You shouldn’t have had to.As a pack member, I should have been treated like anyone else, but not everyone did that.I could have come to you, but I didn’t want to bother you, and I still don’t.I’m only telling you this because I’m leaving, and I feel you should know.”
“Nothing I can say or do will convince you to stay?”
Angus shook his head and reached back.Del linked their fingers together right away, squeezing hard enough to remind Angus he was there.“I’m sorry.I never belonged in Wakefield, and I always knew that, regardless of how welcoming you and the others were.I found my place in Rosewood, and I can’t wait to start the new chapter of my life with my mate.I’ll always be grateful for what you did for me, Angela, but this is it.”
It was where their paths parted, and Angus prayed she wouldn’t cling to him in a desperate attempt to change that.
* * * *
Del couldn’t tell how Angela would react to what Angus was saying.He didn’t know her, but knowing what he did of alphas, he was aware of the fact that she could create problems for them.
This was something that had to be done, though.Angus would never come back to Wakefield, at least not as a Wakefield pack member.He might visit, although knowing what he did about Angus’s time here, Del suspected he wouldn’t.He’d found a home in Rosewood, just like Del, and they were ready to start their life together.Hopefully, it would be with Angela’s blessing.Del didn’t need it, and neither did Angus, but having it would mean the alliance between the Rosewood and Wakefield packs would hold.
Because it wasn’t just Del and Angus’s future in the balance.Angela could take her revenge on the Rosewood pack, and Del prayed she wouldn’t.Angus respected her as a good alpha.She needed to show him that she was now.
She rubbed a hand on her face, suddenly looking tired.“I’m sorry we couldn’t give you what you needed.”
“You gave me what I needed when I found you.Now, it’s time for more, and I found it in Rosewood, and with Del.There’s nothing else you could have done.Del is a Rosewood pack member, which means I am, too.”
“I wish you’d change your mind.”
“I’m sorry, but I won’t.”
Angela nodded.
Del allowed himself to relax, but not completely.There was still time and opportunity for this situation to become a mess.
“As long as you continue helping us,” Angela said.
“I’ll make sure the pack is safe before handing everything over.”
“That’s not what I was talking about.I meant with the rare shifters and the auctions.”
“You’ll still help with that?”
Angela frowned.“Why shouldn’t I?I wasn’t doing it for you.I’m doing it because it’s the right thing and because rare shifters shouldn’t be treated the way you are.Everyone deserves a home, and while you were lucky enough to find two of them, others weren’t.I want to give that to them.I want to give them a home and a safe place where they can finally be themselves.”
Del hoped she truly felt that way and wasn’t just saying it because she wanted her pack to be even more powerful.Even if she did, it was none of his business.He had Angus, and they were going home as soon as possible.It was all Del could care about right now.
“Thank you for everything,” Angus said.“We’re headed to pick up my things.I’ll leave the key in the living room.”
“I’m sure I’ll find someone who needs a new home.”
“I’m glad someone else will have use of it.”
