Page 17 of Love Bites

She swallowed hard, knowing there was only onerightthing to do. Gideon had put her existence out there for a reason. He didn’t want to mate with Iona. He might not want to mate with Brie, but he might not have a choice.

Which meant she didn’t either.

If he wanted to keep his Pack secure and keep the elders off his back, he needed a mating bond.

Lucky for him she could provide him one.

She’d deal with the consequences later.

Her wolf whimpered then nudged at her, secretly pleased.

Damn wolf.

She lifted her chin and met Finn’s eyes. “Can you get me to the Talon den and to Gideon?” she asked, her voice steady.

Finn stood up so quickly he almost fell over the coffee table. “You’re fucking kidding me, right? You can’t just go to the Talons and offer yourself up like a sacrificial lamb.”

She winced at the imagery. It might have been accurate, but that didn’t mean she had to like it.

“Stop it, Finn. This is my choice.”

“It’s not your choice if you’re forced into it. Gideon can get on without you.”

But what if I can’t get on without him?

She quickly pushed that thought out of her mind. No good would come of it. “Just get me there, Finn. I can fight and protect myself, but I’m not an idiot. Going off alone to another den isn’t smart. I could use the help.”

“I’ll take you,” Quinn said softly.

She turned to him, surprised. “You will?”

He nodded then stood. “Gideon is one of my best friends. He’d be damned lucky to have you as his mate. Is it going to be easy? Fuck no. But Gina gave up everything to be with me, and I was an idiot when I didn’t see what I could give her at the same time. So, yeah, I’ll go with you to make sure Gideon realizes what he’s getting out of the situation. Plus that den used to be my home. I’ll be by your side if you need it.”

She swallowed hard, knowing Quinn was in a tight spot, but she was grateful he was going to help.

“Well, fuck,” Finn muttered. “Fine. I’ll take you, too. I won’t have him hurting you.” He met her gaze, his eyes cloudy. “You sure you know what you’re doing?”

She shook her head. “I have no idea what I’m doing, but I know it’s the right thing. He needs a mate, and well…I’m here.”And I want to mate him even if he doesn’t want me and I’m all wrong for him.

Not that she would ever say that last part.

“Well, let’s get a move on then if we want to make it out of here before the parents find out and things officially go to shit.”

Brie shook her head then stood, her hands trembling. “You have such a way with words, Finn.”

He grinned at her, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “I try.”

She swallowed hard and looked down at her tattered jeans, boots, and top. It wasn’t the best outfit to meet a future mate in and pledge herself, but it wasn’t like it really mattered. For all she knew, he’d reject her as soon as she put herself out there. Even if he accepted her bond, she then had the entire Pack to deal with. It wasn’t going to be easy, but hell, it had to be better than this loneliness that never seemed to ebb.

They madetheir way to the Talon den in silence. Quinn drove while Finn sat in the passenger seat, his wolf on alert from the way his shoulders never dropped. Brie took deep breaths, trying to calm herself once again. She knew she was doing the right thing, but it didn’t make it any easier.

Once they made their way to the front gates, Quinn spoke quietly to the sentries. The other wolves looked into the car and nodded, frowns on their faces. She didn’t know what they were thinking, but she’d deal with it later.

She’d have to deal with a lot of things later.

They got out of the car and followed the sentries into the wards. They couldn’t bring their car into the den since they were outsiders, but since they were accepted inside on foot, that was at least a step in the right direction.

“The sentries alerted Gideon that we were here. That’s why they let us in,” Quinn whispered.

---