Page 27 of Healing His Darkness
“That would be Angel’s kitty, it’s all murdery. Almost killed me the first night she shifted. She doesn’t like to be controlled by anyone, especially anyone of the male variety. She’s more alpha than all of us combined.” Clay’s eyes get as big as saucers and Angel bats her eyes at him trying to feign innocent.
“He over exaggerates, don’t let him lie to you.” Angel glares at Stonewall. “Did you die though? No, so stop being a drama king.” Angel huffs out on a laugh. Everyone starts retelling Angel murder kitty stories, each one funnier than the last.
I’m laughing at the latest when I spy Brody coming in the back door, his head down in defeat. George has some serious ass kissing to do once she’s rested. She needs to mend this rift before it gets too big. He grabs a beer from the fridge before turning tail and going right back the way he came. I move quickly to follow him.
“Brody.” I yell out as I hit the back porch. Back rigid he turns to face me, pain filled eyes look back at me.
“I don’t want any trouble, Rooster.” The defeat written across his face tells me everything I need to know.
“You love her?” Why didn’t I think of this?
“Doesn’t matter what I feel for her, never did. She’s not my mate, she’s yours. It’s that simple.” His swallows hard and his eyes betray the truth. Fuck me running. I briefly wonder if she knows, if that’s why she chose him to make her request to.
“You’re right, she is mine.” It comes out harsher than I intend but thinking about how long he’s probably had feelings for my woman doesn’t sit right with me.
“She didn’t know, she doesn’t know. So, if we could keep this shit between us that would be great.” He takes a swig of his beer before tipping it toward me in salute.
“How long?” I don’t know why I want to know, call it morbid curiosity.
“Doesn’t matter. She’s yours, don’t you get that. Today I could have had her, even a small piece of her and I refused. I refused because I knew she wasn’t mine.” Anger laces his words; his jaw tightens and his fist bunches at his side.
“Thank you for not changing her, I can never repay you for that. But I can tell you that claiming a mate that isn’t yours eats you up inside. It’s like a slow poison that eats away at your humanity. George brought me back from the brink of destruction, she’s my salvation.” He nods in understanding before looking out into the night.
“I’ll still help take out that fucknut Rodney, don’t worry. She deserves to be happy, to find her fated mate, and to be free of that bastard once and for all. But if you ever hurt her, I won’t think twice about ripping your head off your shoulders.” The wane smile on his lips tells me he’s in pain, but he’s already accepting the truth.
“I’m okay with that, because I plan on treating her like a fucking queen every day for the rest of my life.” Nodding he takes another swig of his beer before giving me the one finger salute. Yeah, he’s still hurting, but I have a feeling he’ll recover quickly.
“Yo, guys it’s time to head out, quit jerking each other off and come on.” Stonewall yells out the back door and both of us jump into action.
“Fuck you asshole we’re coming.” I yell back at him before he disappears back in the house.
“We good man?” Brody asks as he pours out the rest of his beer in the grass as he makes his way toward the back door.
“Not if you’re going to waste good booze like that we aren’t.” I shake my head giving him the shame finger.
“Booze is never to be wasted, ever.” Smiling, Brody stops in front of me.
“Shit is that a future brother-in-law rule I just broke. If it makes it better, it was some cheap shit Cole bought that tastes like piss.” His laughter rings out as I slap him on the shoulder giving him a reassuring squeeze. I’ve been where he is, I know what he’s feeling, and I can’t fault him for loving her.
“Alright I might be able to forgive you then, but never let me see you do that shit with the good stuff. That’s a fighting offense.” We both chuckle as we make our way into the house.
“Duly noted, no pouring out good booze.” Stopping on the steps to the back door, he suddenly turns serious and I briefly wonder if he might decide to fight me for George, not that he’ll win.
“Are you ready to finish this shit? To free George of that bastard for good?” He asks.
“Hell to the yes I’m ready, I’ve been ready.”I answer truthfully.
“About damn time you two love birds decided to join us.” Wraith announces as we walk through the back door. Both Brody and I give him the one finger salute in return.
“Don’t be jealous Wraith you’re still my main squeeze.” I blow him a kiss and the smartass catches it.
“Oh, good I’d hate to think I’m suddenly sloppy seconds now that you’ve got a mate and all.” Shaking my head as I roll my eyes at him only makes everyone laugh more.
“What the hell dude I thought I was the only one?” Brody clutches his heart in faux agony, his hand against his forehead pretending he might faint. Fucking assholes, the lot of them, but they’re my assholes.
“Oh, you’re going to fit right in there Brody man.” Stonewall claps Brody on the shoulder laughing so hard tears are coming down his cheeks.
“Alright ladies and gents time to get our shit kicking on. It’s not nearly as fun as getting our fuck on, but it is bloodier so there’s that.” The Kid slaps hands together and starts motioning everyone out the door.
