Page 14 of Healing His Darkness
“Nothing is going on. You didn’t kill anyone, even though they came close to killing you. You didn’t reveal yourself to anyone but George. And you’re right George knows all about shifters, everything about us in fact.” He puts extra emphasis on that last sentence like he’s trying to drive home a point, but I have no idea what it could be. Maybe he thinks I’m afraid she’ll tell someone about me, or us.
“Alright, so then what is it you’re not telling me? Did one of those fuckers have rabies or something?” I’ve never heard of a shifter getting rabies, but those fucktards from last night were kind of wild. “Wait is that even possible?” I look over at my dad who has his head in his hands shaking it back and forth laughing.
“I swear son, sometimes I wonder if you’re blonde. You can be so oblivious about what’s happening around you.” What the hell is he talking about?
I’m so confused and then George comes waltzing down the stairs and my brain short circuits again. She’s in a snug red sweater that hugs her breasts like a second skin, dark wash jeans that seem to be painted on, and a pair of brown Ariat cowgirl boots. Her hair is up in a tight ponytail, which just makes me have visions of using it as a handhold while my dick is in her mouth.
“What he’s talking about, asshole, is the fact that you’re my mate.” George hugs her dad and whispers something in his ear. He nods as she sashays her fine ass right out the door without a backward glance leaving me with my mouth hanging wide open.
“Close your mouth son, you’ll let in flies.” I look around the room at all the men and they just nod at me. Silently telling me what they believe, but don’t they know what she’s saying isn’t possible.
Mate. Go get her. Claim.
“I know you think Summer was your mate, but you know deep down she wasn’t. Your animal knew she wasn’t, you forced a mating on him that he didn’t want. George figured it out last night when she was arguing with Rodney. Now it’s up to you to figure it out.” My animal huffs in response, he knows what my dad says is true. Hell, I know what he’s saying is true about Summer, I forced him to claim her.
“But how does George know? She’s not a shifter, she doesn’t have those instincts.” Cole smacks me upside the head, I growl at him in response, he just laughs at me.
“She knows because she feels it, right here dumbass.” Cole pokes me right in my chest where my heart is, it’s bruised and hurts like a bitch.
“Watch it asshole, just because your Clay’s son doesn’t mean I won’t kick your ass. You shouldn’t want me to be her mate.” I look over at her dad.
“Neither of you should. Didn’t my dad tell you what a failure I was at being mated?” They all sigh loudly, shaking their heads.
“You weren’t a failure son; you were mated to the wrong woman. That doesn’t make you a failure it means you were young and dumb. Learn from that mistake and take what fate has given you as the blessing it is.” He’s right, deep down in the pit of my darkness I know he’s right, but I’m not just afraid I’m fucking petrified of being mated again.
10
GEORGE
“Woah, where are you off to Georgie Porgie?” I run smack dab into Brody coming up the stairs as I’m storming down them. Rolling my eyes at his stupid nickname for me that he tagged me with when I was a teenager, I give him a murderous look.
“Shit, are you on the rag or something? If looks could kill I’d be eviscerated right now.” Stopping, I cross my arms over my chest giving him a scathing look.
“Fucking show off with your big fucking words.” I turn around and start heading towards Dad's truck.
“Men are fucking assholes who only think with their dicks.” Okay maybe I do sound like I’m PMSing, but in my defense after the morning I just had, I deserve to vent.
“George.” He yells my name, but I ignore him, I need space. This hole in my chest feels like it’s growing by the minute.
“George hold up.” I feel his hand grab my arm and I whirl around to face him.
“Is there something wrong with me? Do I smell funny or is one of my eyes bigger than the other?” Brody looks like he’s as lost as I feel right now.
“George, slow down and tell me what’s got you all riled up.” There’s worry etch in his face, and the tears I’ve managed to keep under control start to pour. He pulls me into his arms, making shhing noises as he rubs circles against my back.
“He doesn’t want me; I’m his mate and he doesn’t want me. So, something must be wrong with me.” I sob out against his shirt, which is now soaked with my tears. Brody’s body tenses under me, but he doesn’t stop rubbing my back.
“Who doesn’t want you?” He grits out through his teeth. Brody is the laid-back one out of my brothers, but he never put up with anyone hurting my feelings. It’s probably because we’re the same age so we were always in the same grade growing up. He always felt like he had to protect me on the playground from the bullies.
“Rooster, he made it clear in my bedroom he didn’t want to be my mate. So, what’s wrong with me Brody, why doesn’t he want me. Is it because I’m not a shifter? Wouldn’t I change once he bites me with a claiming mark?” Brody takes a deep breath letting it slowly like he’s trying to figure out what to say that will make me feel better.
“Honey sometimes it’s just not meant to be. If he can’t see what an amazing woman you are then you don’t need him.” His jaw tightens with anger, the kind he gets right before he goes off on someone. It doesn’t happen often, but he’s like a tea kettle, if you aren’t careful, he’ll boil over.
“Don’t even think about it Brody, I don’t need you fighting my battles anymore. I have to deal with this myself, just like I had to deal with Rodney on my own. If you go after Rooster, you’ll either get hurt or he will, I don’t want that.” I step back; attempt to straighten his, now wrinkled, shirt that’s wet from my tears.
“Are you going to be okay? You sure you don’t want me to go beat the shit out of him for you? Just a little, I heard he got his ass handed to him last night so it wouldn’t be that hard right now.” He grabs my chin, making me look up at him giving me a little grin and I can’t help but return his smile.
“Get your fucking hands off my mate!” We both turn at the same time to see Rooster marching toward us with fire in his eyes. Brody places his body in front of mine, giving Rooster a warning growl.
