Page 1 of Hope in his Darkness
Prologue
Two Years Ago
Brody
(Text messages between Brody and George)
George: Brody meetme by the creek.
My instincts tell me I should just ignore her, but my heart, which she’s had since day one, says to find out what she needs.
Me: What’s wrong?
George: I just need some air, and I don’t want to go alone.
My animal is telling me loud and clear that she needs to take any problems to her mate. He’s the one she chose, not me. Not the one who’s been here for her since day one. The one she never gives a second look to, because I’m her ‘brother’. Even if it’s only in the legal sense, Georgia would never cross that line with me.
Me: So ask your new mate, duh.
George: Because asshole I need air from him.
Even though my animal is screaming at me to tell her no, my heart ignores him. If Georgia needs me, I’m going to always be there for her.
Me: Fine, but you owe me.
I know exactly where to find her. In the same place we’ve been going to since we were kids. The place we would go to in the summer, it was our secret haven from the rest of the world. Where I get to watch the sunlight dance off her perfect skin, and her smiles are just for me. The moment Georgia walked into our lives; I was in love with her. There was something about her that made me want to stay in her orbit.
Sneaking up on her, I wrap her in my arms before she knows I’m even there. The feel of her body next to mine makes my heart practically stampede out of my chest. I can tell immediately something is wrong. Her whole body is shaking.
“Hey, what’s wrong George? You’re shaking like a leaf.” I ask gently as I brush her hair out of her face.
“A lot is wrong, Brode, a lot is wrong. Shit, I don’t even know where to begin.” She’s fidgeting and looks a little flustered. I know I need to make sure she knows I’m supporting her and her mating.
“I know, but that Rooster guy and his crew seem legit. They’re going to help get us all out of this mess.” She releases a heavy sigh before looking out at the creek in front of us. Like she’s hoping that it might have the answers to everything.
“I need your help, Brode.” Whatever she needs, I’ll give it to her; I’ll give my life for her.
“What do you need?” I beg. “Come on, George, stop looking like I killed your dog. Tell me what’s going on.” I nudge her with my shoulder.
“I mean, besides the obvious. Is this about that guy Rooster? Do you not want to be his mate? Just give me the word and I’ll kick his ass for you.” She laughs at me, but I would totally snap his neck if he ever hurt her.
“No, I definitely want to be his mate, but Brode, I need to be able to handle my own business. I feel like a damsel in distress, and Rooster is this prince riding in to rescue me from my tower. That doesn’t work for me. Which is where you come in...” It hurts to hear her say she wants him as her mate. I know it’s fate, but it still fucking hurts. I don’t understand what it is that she’s asking for until suddenly the light bulb goes off in my head. I start to shake my head because as much as I want Georgia, this is the one thing I can’t do. It’s against everything in the shifter code. You don’t bite another shifter’s mate. Not to mention our father would kill me.
“No George.” She nodded. “Fuck, George don’t ask this of me.” I run my hands through my hair making it stand up straight. She’s crazy, she’s trying to get me killed. I love her and she’s trying to get me killed.
“Please Brody, it’s the only way.” Tears are streaming down her cheeks, and the part of me that is resisting is growing quieter by the minute. She doesn’t truly realize what she’s asking me to do. She can’t.
“George I can’t, are you crazy I could kill you.” She stands coming towards me reaching for my hand.
“No George, what you’re asking is fucked up. Why me? Dad will fucking kill me if I do what you’re asking. Hell, Rooster will fucking kill me.” My breathing is coming in rapid pants because I’m actually thinking about doing it. I’ll make her my mate; I’ll link her to me for life. She’ll be mine.
“It’s the only chance I have at fixing things myself. I caused this Brody, me. If I hadn’t fallen for Rodney and his bullshit none of this would have happened. I have to fix it, let me fix it. I’ll explain that I forced you to do it, that you didn’t have a choice. They won’t kill you; I won’t let them.” She has no idea what changing her will do to Rooster when he finds out. I’ll be lucky if all his animal does is try to kill me. My father, on the other hand, might just hold me down for him to kill me though. Damn, why did she have to ask me? Cole or Dom would have told her, no flat out, and walked the fuck away. But here I stand still, having an internal debate on the matter.
“Bullshit Georgia May.” No, I’m not doing it. I can’t do that to another shifter. I can’t do that to Georgia. She deserves happiness, even if I’m miserable, she deserves happiness.
“You can sit your little ass in that house and let Rooster and his crew take care of shit for you. Do you know what it will do to Rooster to have another shifter change you? Are you really willing to risk losing him just so you don’t feel like a damsel in distress?” Anger starts to take over my body. My body practically vibrates, my animal is too close to the surface.
“Brody, listen to me, please.” I push her away and stride to the edge of the creek, wondering if I walk out to the middle if I would drown. That’s what I feel like I’m doing right now, drowning.
