Page 21 of Love Bites

Brynn shook her head. “She might not have had to fight in the war, but she grew up in a Pack learning to rebuild itself after that demon almost destroyed it all. She might have peace now, but she watched it rise from rubble. We’ve had peace since then too, big brother. At least she’s coming into the Pack without dear old Dad.”

His wolf growled at the thought of his dad or uncles anywhere near Brie. Those fucking wolves were the worst dregs of all things shifter, and he was glad they were gone. Even if killing his father had taken a piece of his soul, it had been worth it. He wouldn’t let anything from his past touch his new mate though. She was too clean, too pure for it.

“Our past can’t hurt her,” he growled softly.

“Not if you don’t let it,” she answered cryptically.

“What do you mean by that?”

Brynn shrugged. “You’re starting fresh, big brother. Yeah, this sucked with the fact that you’re sort of forced into it, but hell, she’s going to be yourmate. You found the one person who could fit against you and be part of your soul, and she feels it too. I’m kind of jealous.” Something passed over her eyes, and he frowned.

“What do you mean by that?” While he and Brynn were close, neither of them told the other everything. Some secrets were meant to be kept. However, he didn’t like the shadow over her eyes and, if he could, he’d fix it. That’s what big brothers did.

She shook her head then ran a hand over her face. “Nothing. Don’t worry about it. You’re about to be a mate and have someone to share the rest of your life with. It’s a big deal. While I know you didn’t get a real choice in the matter, you know you don’t technically have to do this.” She turned and met his gaze. “If you aren’t sure about mating her, then don’t. Don’t hurt her because you feel you need to take a chance. And don’t hurt our Pack because you’re trying to do too many things at once.”

He growled but didn’t yell like he wanted to. “You’re not making any sense.”

“Yeah, I am, and you know it. She’s a submissive, Gideon. Our Pack is going to eat her alive. There are still old-timers here who miss the way of life they had with Joseph as Alpha. We have to fight them daily to keep them from treating the women like shit and the submissives even worse. They aren’t going to want to follow the lead of a submissive. A submissive who grew up in a different Pack.”

“Don’t you think I know that?” He ran a hand through his hair, cursed because he’d messed it up, and started to pace. “She’s not meant to be an Alpha female. Her wolf is going to want to cower and be protected when she needs to fight for her standing. I have no idea what we’re going to fucking do, but if I force the others to respect her, it’s going to make things worse.”

Brynn cursed. “Meaning you’re going to hand her over to the wolves. Literally.”

He let out a yell and punched the wall. The plaster broke, and he cursed at the hole he’d left in the wall and the cuts on his knuckles.

“Great. Now you’re going to bleed all over your shirt.”

“I’ll be fine,” he spit out then went to wash off his hands, careful to keep the blood from getting on his clothes. Now he’d have split knuckles for his mating ceremony. The worst of the cuts would heal in time, but unless he used Walker to Heal the rest, they were just going to have to make do. Well, she was going to mate with an Alpha. She’d just have to deal with what she got.

“Brie will have to learn to be part of our Pack. It’s not going to be easy, but we’ll find a way to make it work. I can’t help her with everything, and I don’t know if doing this is going to weaken the Pack further, but I don’t have a choice. Fate gave her to me, so I’m going to have to deal with this.”

“Such lovely words on your mating day.”

“Fuck off, Brynn. I’m not in the mood.” He turned to see Brynn frowning at him.

“Just don’t hurt her, okay?” She came to him and once again straightened his collar. “And don’t hurt yourself. You’re one of my favorite people in the world. I know the weight on your shoulders sometimes feels insurmountable, but maybe with a mate, you can learn to lean on someone.”

He shook his head. “I can’t lean on her, Brynn. She’ll break.”

She tilted her head and studied his face. “For all of our sakes, I hope you’re wrong about that.”

Instead of answering, he let out a breath then led her out of his home. They would be meeting most of the Jamenson family inside his Pack circle where the mating would take place. If he hadn’t been Alpha, he might have been able to have the ceremony on Redwood land, but that wasn’t an option. When he and Brie completed the mating later that day, she would not only become his mate, but also a Talon.

She’d be leaving the Redwoods and the loyalty that came with that behind.

He just hoped she was ready.

Because he sure didn’t feel ready.

Brynn put her hand on his back, but he didn’t relax. They weren’t in his home anymore where he could lean—to some small degree—on someone else. They were outside where the rest of his Pack, as well as the Jamensons, would be able to see him.

When they cleared the circle, his breath left his lungs.

Brie stood in the center, a white sundress flowing down her body, baring her arms and showcasing her curves. Her long, brown hair flew off her shoulders when the wind caught it just right, framing her pale face.

He knew she was beautiful.

He’d seen her, tasted her, held her.

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