Page 24 of The Wolves At My Sides

“Tell me right now, Marcus!” Irwin said, his wolf letting out a tiny growl of frustration.

I almost told him how sexy he was when he was all worked up and frustrated. Except, I was too educated in socializing to know that was an avoidance tactic too many Alphas used to avoid talking about their emotions.

“Then if I ever kissed him, you couldn’t be mad at me,” I said, instead.

“Marcus,” Irwin said my name softly. “I thought we worked through this.”

“I thought we had too, but here it is again today,” I said. “It’s probably part of why he gets so nervous around me. He unnerves me because despite being a trained therapist, I don’t like uncertainty any more than anyone else does. I don’t like not knowing what’s going to happen with the three of us together and I certainly don’t like how I feel whenever anyone else comes over, but a month of not fulfilling the claiming vows has my inner monologue sounding like a frat boy who never really sobers up.”

Irwin hugged me, careful not to squish Faran in the process. None of it was easy for me to say aloud. I was supposed to be the one who had it together, but I was coming apart at the seams.

“I’ve got you,” Irwin said. “I’m going to work this out. I don’t know how, but I’m going to.”

“You’re not in this alone, mate,” I whispered back to him as Faran grabbed onto my chin.

“I know that,” he squared his shoulders. “That’s why I have to figure things out. I think I’m the only one who can bridge the gap between you and Fen.”

I kissed his forehead. I loved Irwin more every day since I met him – even before we confirmed we were indeed true-mates. That feeling hadn’t stopped and I didn’t think it ever would.

Chapter Nineteen

Irwin

I was up bright and early the next morning, sipping coffee and pacing the kitchen. Then I sent Shepard a quick text to see if he was up. At the very least, I’d need him to watch Baby Faran while we went on our date. At most, I’d need him not to let me bang my head on the wall.

SHEPARD: I’m up, but barely. Want me to come over?

ME: I’ll meet you outside.

“Are you okay?” Shepard asked as I handed him a cup of coffee. “Sun’s not even up yet.”

“Have you had a blood shake? Do you need one? I still keep the emergency ones in the freezer,” I said.

“No, but I’m alright,” he chuckled and ran a tired hand through his hair. “Can we sit down?”

“Come on,” I led him up onto the porch to the rocking chairs.

“What’s up, Ir?” He yawned again.

I laid it all out for him. I tried my best to keep the intimate details of my life to myself, but I was stuck and sore and horny. I needed advice.

“This may be a dumb question, because Marcus is a therapist, but is Fen seeing a therapist?” Shepard asked, stifling another yawn.

Frowning, I shook my head. Shepard arched a brow and I let out a long sigh.

“I don’t feel like that’s something I can force him into,” I relented.

“Well, he’s a grownup. You can’t force him to do anything.”

“I know,” I sighed. “I wouldn’t even if I could. He’s seen them before while he was in foster care. I don’t think they helped much. I mean how could they? Then I have Marcus afraid I’m going to turn tail and be mad if something happens between him and Fen and ---”

“I get that fear,” Shepard gave a tired shrug. “I wouldn’t be happy if Daniel kissed someone else. Then again, he’s no one else’s true-mate. How do you feel about Marcus and Fen?”

“I want to eat them both,” I said, leaning back in the rocking chair. “Take that in the dirtiest bedroom way you can imagine.”

“I meant together.”

“I know and I stand by what I said and of course, I love them, Shep.”

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