Page 48 of Pack’s Pledge

“To Conall,” he said. “But you should have seen when he told me. He was furious. He felt—” he’d feltdangerous,over the bond. Incendiary.

“I felt it, too,” Adrian interrupted. “I was wondering what happened.”

“You were spying on me,” I accused, without heat, and Adrian laughed.

“You know he’s shit at regulating his bond. You are, too,” he said, nudging my side with his elbow. “But, Beau, I know Conall feltmad, but... I don’t know, I can’t imagine Britt saying that just because—“

“I’m an omega? Can’t you?” I asked, raising my eyebrows at him. “It’s been, what, seven years we’ve been pack? And you haven’t seen the way people look at me? Stare? You haven’t heard the comments?”

He sighed. “No, you’re right. Of course you are.”

“But…. It’s not a big deal. Other alphas have left after a heat, and I’ve gotten over them. It’s not a big deal,” I repeated.

“Beau,” he said, and he took my hand, interlacing our fingers. “Firstly, you’reshitat regulating your bond. I can tell that’s not true. It is a big deal, it is important. Youloveher.” I would have pulled away, if his hand wasn’t holding mine. “And that’s why I think--” he continued, without giving me a moment to contradict him. “That Britt wouldn’t say something like that.”

“Why would Conall tell me she did, then?” I asked.

“I don’t know.”

“Yeah,” I said, turning away again. “That’s what I thought.”

“I don’t fucking know, baby, but…” Adrian said. He frowned, taking a deep breath, letting it out in a huff. “You’re shit at regulating your bond, but Britt’s pretty easy to read.”

“Yeah, I thought so, too, until—” I started, but he shook his head.

“No, no. You were right. Listen.” He turned to me, taking my other hand in his. The touch settled me, despite my desire to pull away. “Talk to her.”

I thought of the texts I’d sent to her phone.

Hey, baby.

Let me know when I can take you out, you deserve a treat as a thank you…

I miss you.

They’d all gone unread.

“I tried. She didn’t respond.”

He sat back.

“You aren’t going to like what I’m going to say next.”

“Then don’t—”

“Let alpha fix this, baby.”

“Jesus, Adrian, you’re a mind reader. You’re right, I hate it.”

“Just listen for a second. I was there, during. You did nothing wrong. You were perfect, Beau, and I saw her with you. With Conall. I know how you feel about her, okay? I know because I feel it too—even if I didn’t get to touch her like that,fuck, I wanted to, youknowI did, Istilldo. And you know why, too. Don’t you?” he asked. “Don’t you?”

I nodded, then hesitated. “IthoughtI did—”

“No, baby. Don’t think. Just—” He stared into my eyes, so long that I felt the itch of submission creep up around the edges of my vision. I had to look away—I didn’t. “Youknow.She’sours.”

I nodded.

“I know you don’t want me to take care of you,” he said, and smiled.Soft, soft.I loved the fucker. “Soyoutake care of you. But let me take care ofpack.”

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