Page 24 of A Chance at Love for the Twin Alphas

Fuck, you don’t yell at Dad or challenge him. I hold my ground, though, staring at him. To my surprise, he doesn’t seem to be angry. “I don’t know what burdens you,” he says, his tone almost tentative. “But you don’t need to carry that burden on your own.”

Something in my chest clenches again. I’m alone, I’m fucking alone. No matter what he says, I’ll always be alone. Before he can ask anything else, I make sure to leave his place. This time, he doesn’t stop me.

But I just know this is not going to be the end of it.

*HENRY*

I’ve taken a shower and am slipping into my clothes when Tony barges into my room. I’ve felt his anger for minutes now, so I knew it was just a matter of time until he would come looking for me. A look on his face tells me that he is majorly pissed. I can’t remember him ever being angry at something I did, but now he looks at me like he wants to punch me.

My chest churns slightly. “Tony,” I start. “I know you’re angry. And I’m sorry, but I was so worried about you.”

“And you thought the right way to go about this was to make sure Dad’s on my ass?” he huffs.

“I’ve tried to talk to you,” I point out.

“Once, fucking once, Henry!” He glares at me. “Don’t pretend like you put effort into this! You did not put any effort into this at all, or you would have tried to talk to me first. Don’t pretend like you care!”

“I do care,” I yell before trying to will my anger down. It won’t get me anywhere. “It’s scary,” I try to explain to him. “When I can’t feel you like usual, or when Arlo and I can’t reach out to Lys. It sent us both into a panic mode, and I never fucking panic normally.”

Something flashes over his expression, something close to understanding, but he shuts off immediately again.

“Tony, you need help,” I mutter.

“What I need is my brother not going behind my back and spilling my secrets,” he yells, his eyes glinting in sudden fury.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you,” I say quietly. “I just wanted to help.”

“How exactly is that supposed to help me? Now I have Dad on my ass, which is the worst!”

“If you don’t open up about whatever it is,” I try to reason with him. “It will eat you up from the inside more and more until you lose yourself completely.”

“Wow, so ever since you found your mate, you suddenly are a pro at feelings, or what?” he huffs.

I growl. “Leave Elodie out of this!”

“And since we’re already on it, what about your secrets? You think I don’t know that you are battling something? Should I go and tell Mom so she can start pestering you about it!?”

“That’s not the same,” I argue.

“It is!” he hisses. “It’s none of my business how you deal with your issues, just like it’s none of yours how I handle mine.”

“But I’m not losing the connection to my lycan,” I say, trying to sound as gentle as possible.

He stares at me. “You know what? Forget it. I’ll be staying somewhere else today.” He narrows his eyes to a glare. “Don’t worry, I’ve finished all my duties and work for today,” he says as if that’s even remotely on my list of concerns at the moment. “And don’t you dare to come looking for me.”

I can feel how he shuts me off instantly, putting a blockade between our minds.

Awesome, I brush through my hair as I watch him leave. And now what?

9

Safety Net

*HENRY*

AlmostinstantlyafterTonyhas left, Elodie links me, saying she felt my emotions all over the place. She tells me that Elise is taking over some of her work for today, so we can meet immediately if I’m up to it.

Of course, I am. I can’t wait to meet my beautiful mate, yet I find myself rooted to my spot.

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