“Hi, I’m Sarah. I think we’ve met a time or two. What do I do about my situation? I feel lost. There are so many problems between the three of us, and I don’t know where to start.”

“Well, take it from me, when you’re feeling the pull there is nothing you can do to prevent it. It’ll always be there, so I’d advise you to just go with it. I know Devon. We met when he first arrived in town. Since he was alpha in Waco, he had to clear things with Ayden and promise not to try to take over for this area. I immediately liked him. He seems like a good guy. Now Gavin, on the other hand, I’ve only met briefly, but I liked him, too.”

“So, you’re telling me if I’m pulling to both of them, the feeling is never going to go away?”

“Exactly. If I were you, I’d start making them get along or else you’re in for a bumpy ride. Face it, Sarah, you’re in the same boat as Ev and I. Might as well grab your men and come eat popcorn and watch a movie with us. Welcome to the club.”

Evelyn’s laugh echoed through the phone as she got back on. “Yay for Sarah! Well, now that you have two boyfriends, too, I guess we’ll be hanging out more. No more Bets for you.”

Sarah took a deep breath. “So how do I get them to get along? Gavin’s already spending the night at Devon’s, three damn doors down from my apartment. Devon doesn’t trust him not to mark me, so they’re shacked up.”

“Leave them there together for as long as you can. I noticed the more time Brandon and Stephen hung out, the more they got along. The bond the three of you will grow will be impenetrable. You’ll see. I’ve never been happier.”

“Thanks, Ev. I don’t think we’re quite ready for movie night at Club Ménage, but give it a few weeks and I’m sure we’ll fit right in.”

“Club Ménage, I like that. Brandon will, too. Okay, take care, sweetie. If you need anything, let me know.”

“Will do, love you, Ev.”

Sarah tossed the phone on the bedside table the moment she walked into the room. So, the key was to leave them alone. Great, what did that do for her? How would she manage?

Come on, Sarah. You’ve been alone for how long now? It’s time you got back on your usual schedule. You’ve never needed a man to feel complete. Don’t start now.

Crawling into bed after what she just experienced with both of the men made her feel even more alone, but she closed her eyes and willed herself to fall asleep. It wasn’t long before unconsciousness took over, and she was out.

* * * *

Gavin grabbed his bag out of his car and followed Devon inside. Uncomfortable, didn’t even begin to describe the way he felt. The sound of his bags falling to the floor was the only thing that broke the silence.

Slowly, he walked forward, taking in all of the pictures. The state of his emotions flared as he looked around. So many memories covered the walls. They shared so much, and all he had was a few amazing hours with Sarah. How in the hell could he compete?

“I knew you loved her, but I didn’t know you loved her this much.”

Devon laughed from behind him. “I’ve always felt that way for her, from the moment I heard her laugh coming down the school hallway. My first day didn’t go so well at the new school, but when I found her, nothing else matter. We were inseparable from our freshman year until I had to leave. I’ve never felt pain like losing Sarah…or the baby.”

“I don’t want to lose her either. I know you share a lot, but I just can’t imagine being away from her for long. Can I ask you a question, Devon?”

Devon sat down on the couch. “It depends. What do you want to know?”

“Why didn’t you mark her when you were together before?”

Devon put his head in his hands and rubbed his eyes. “I just thought it was something I would share with her when we got married. Don’t get me wrong, I wanted to, badly, but it didn’t seem right at the time. Maybe I knew something big was about to happen. I don’t know.”

Gavin nodded, walking over to a bookshelf full of memories. One hid behind the others. He pulled it out, examining the small five-by-seven picture. Sarah stood there, smiling, molding her light blue T-shirt to her stomach. The signs of her pregnancy weren’t really evident, but he had no doubt that she was carrying Devon’s child. The heartache coming directly from behind him caused Gavin to stiffen. He never even heard Devon move in to look.

The picture disappeared from his hands. “Why don’t you take your things to the room?” Devon placed the picture back and walked into the kitchen. Gavin wasn’t about to argue with the alpha, he complied.

* * * *

Devon fought the pain racing through his chest. Why had coming back made everything so much more intense? In Waco it hurt, but it was manageable. Here, so close to Sarah, he could feel the pull down to his toes. The urge to knock on her door and beg her forgiveness ate away at his insides.

The love they once shared never wavered on his end. He loved her so much more than he did when he left this place to begin with. What could he do to make her love him back, to forgive him for what he’d done?

And what about this new guy? He couldn’t just let the guy go through the rest of his life in pain for not having his mate. Devon was alpha, meant to protect and take care of pack, and even though he wasn’t in charge of this territory, he still felt the need to protect Gavin. He hated feeling compassion for the same man who wanted Sarah. But ultimately, he couldn’t help it.

Pouring himself a cup of coffee, he stared out the kitchen window into the lit up parking lot. This was so different than the ranch. It would take a while to get used to the noise and the lights, but he’d do it again. Sarah was worth any cost. He just regretted not being able to come back sooner.

Waco, of course, had been out of the question for her. He couldn’t have been by her side at all times, and that’s what it would have taken. With the way those wolves were, they wouldn’t have thought twice to use her as a way to get back at him. Even up until the day he left things were chaotic. It was a pure miracle that he’d found the new alpha when he did.