Page 2 of Hope in his Darkness
“Do you not remember what dad told us those years ago? Is that what you want for me? Do I mean so little to you?” It’s killing me on the inside to deny her this request. I will give her the world, and that’s why she chose me to ask.
Dad had just one rule. There were guidelines, but just one rule. The boys could not bite her, period. It didn’t matter if it was in anger, the heat of the moment, or accidentally. The penalty for disobedience was steep, which growing up was a good deterrent, but now seems kind of extreme. If one of us bit her, changed her, they would be disowned. They would have to leave the family group, the sanctuary that was our family.
“If I explain it to Dad, then he’ll understand. He won’t kick you out. He loves you too much to kick you out. Especially if you it because I asked you to. He’ll blame me; I’ll make sure of it.” No matter what she tells our father, if I do this, I will no longer be welcome in his home.
“You should really give the guy a break.” She yelps, and I turn around to find Rooster standing in front of her.
“What you’re asking him to do is against most shifter rules.” Georgia starts to argue but he puts his hand up to stop her.
“Don’t get me wrong. I get why you asked him, hell I’d probably try to do the same thing if the roles were reversed. But what you’re asking him to do will most definitely get him killed.” That is my cue to get out of there. Out of sight, out of mind. She belongs to him, and there is nothing I can do to change that.
Hours later, I’m sneaking in the backdoor to grab a beer when Rooster spots me. I knew eventually we’d have to talk about what happened. I was hoping to avoid it until after the fight. Seems fate had other plans.
“Brody.” He yells out from the back porch as I hit the backyard. Turning, I realize I don’t want to fight him. He’s not at fault for Georgia not being my mate. That’s all on fate, and its fucked up bullshit.
“I don’t want any trouble, Rooster.” He’s won, he’s got the biggest fucking prize.
“You love her?” His words are like a gut punch, making me almost stagger from the hit. He knows he can tell, but how?
“Doesn’t matter what I feel for her, never did. She’s not my mate, she’s yours. It’s that simple.” I swallow hard, trying to push down the emotions I feel for her and the fucked-up situation I’m in.
“You’re right, she is mine.” He snaps out and I flinch at the finality of it.
“She didn’t know, she doesn’t know. So, if we could keep this shit between us, that would be great.” I take a swig of my beer, giving him a mock salute.
“How long?” Why does he care? It doesn’t matter.
“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 my words, my jaw tightens, and my fists clench. I don’t want to fight him, I’m not really angry with him. I’m just angry about the whole damn situation.
“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 on 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.” I nod in understanding because I do understand the kind of power Georgia has over someone.
“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.” I try to smile, but I’m sure it comes out as more of a grimace.
“I’m okay with that because, I plan on treating her like a fucking queen every day for the rest of my life.” Nodding, I take a swig of my beer before giving him the one-finger salute he deserves because even though I’m hurting now I know he’s going to make Georgia a damn good mate.
Chapter One
