Page 26 of Bullied Pretend Mate
Unless he’s found out about our agreement.
One that flies in the face of the sanctity of the mating process. Something like that would definitely get a guy like Xeran up in arms.
When I’m relatively grease-free and off the tall stool, Xeran gestures for me to walk with him. I send one last glance back toward Soren, who shrugs, apparently unable to help me.
Together, Xeran and I walk out the back of the firehouse and along the path that follows Fogue Creek behind the house. Although we’re wearing the same outfit—a navy-blue FRFD shirt tucked into black work pants—Xeran has the deference of the supreme on his side, so other shifters move to the side as we walk, making room for him on the path and nodding to him as we go.
“So, what’s up?” I finally blurt, because while Xeran could probably go the rest of his life without talking, being quiet is not that easy for me.
“Have you given any thought to the leadership position?” he asks, turning his head to me and raising an eyebrow.
Once again, I’ve given it so little thought that it’s surprising to me when he brings it up. With everything going on—Maeve and the mating marks, the weddings, her whole deal with the lawyer and inheritance—I completely forgot what he said about leading up a unit at the firehouse.
“We have enough guys now—and enough of them trained—that we’re going to need to split into two units,” Xeran adds. “I’ve already been looking to allocate some funds to a second engine.”
The thought runs through my mind, but I don’t bring it up. If the fires have stopped, what’s the point in continuing to grow the firehouse?
Obviously, we still get small calls. Normal fires, a little flame in a trash can, are easy to put out. So it’s not like we should dissolve the firefighting group altogether—as Declan did—but I don’t see the need for all these guys.
Xeran does.
Maybe that’s what makes him a leader.
Only further proof that I’m not cut out to be in charge of my own unit. Even the thought of it makes my blood feel thick, like my blood pressure is skyrocketing.
“Felix?” Xeran prods, and I realize I’ve taken far too long to answer him.
“Yeah, uh, I have given it some thought,” I say as we push up the little hill and into town, shops rising up around us as we walk through downtown. “And I think I’m not the right person for the role. I think maybe Lachlan or Soren would be better for it? Or Kalen. I mean, he’syourbrother—”
“Felix.”
I come to a stop outside the barber’s shop. Glancing in through the glass, I see a line of guys in the chairs, a few of them with shaving cream around their jaws.
When Xeran starts to talk, I look back at him, wishing I could do anything but be here right now.
I’m not good at confronting this kind of stuff. Talking about my potential. I’d much rather skate by, let people think of me as the comic relief, and never have to worry about being a disappointment.
“I’m asking you because I think you’re the best man for the job,” Xeran says, crossing his arms. “And I was really hoping you were going to go along with it voluntarily.”
“What are you—”
He reaches out, clapping his hand on my shoulder. “You’re the new head of our Unit Two, man. I know you’re worried about it, but there’s a leader in you that I’m going to pull out.”
The words hover in my head. To tell him that he’s making a mistake. To convince him that I’m not cut out for this kind of thing.
But I don’t know how to get those words out of my mouth, so instead, I just grin, clap him on the shoulder, and say, “Alright, boss, but you can’t say I didn’t warn you.”
***
Maeve looks, as she always does, stunning.
She’s wearing a tight black long-sleeved shirt with a deep V-neck that shows off her cleavage and is tucked into a pair of tight jean shorts. Her curls are loose over her shoulders, and she holds a sparkling black clutch under one arm.
“Too dressy?” she asks, wincing as she steps out of her rental, turning and locking the door behind her. Her scent hits me full force—smooth jasmine—and I want to scoop her up, take her back inside, and forget the party altogether.
But Xeran insisted I come to the party. And Maeve thought since it’s an event for the whole pack, someone from the lawyer’s office might be there.
“Before I call him to tell him about it,” she says as we walk down the street together toward the park. “I was thinking it would feel more organic for someone to just see us out together, you know?”
