Page 15 of Melissa's Mates (Blissful Bets)

“You’re going to see the big man, correct?”

Connor stopped walking and turned around. “Yeah. I think I should tell him what’s going on.”

“Hop in, I’m headed there myself. Do you think he’s still awake? It’s pretty late.”

“This is pack business. He’s always awake when it concerns these sort of things.”

Walking over and getting in, Connor mainly watched the scenery as Channing headed toward Corpus. The more his thoughts bothered him, the more he knew he had to talk to someone. Glancing at the vampire, he felt more comfortable around him the longer they were together. “So, what do you think he’s going to say? I think he was hoping you’d leave town soon. You know everyone’s scared that you might cause trouble, right?”

Channing shot him a glance, but then turned back to the road. “I’m not leaving without her, and I assume you’re not going to let her go. What can he say?”

Connor felt his temper spike. For so long, he’d fed off of the anger brought on by other people. Hell, it was his job to take care of things whenever no one else could. The fact that he’d had the chance to be Alpha in New Orleans didn’t matter. He never wanted that kind of responsibility. Why bring a mate and child into that kind of life?

After his own parents were killed, he swore he’d never put his future chosen through something like that. Women were meant to be cherished, not put in harm’s way. It was the reason he’d been watching Melissa. He wasn’t about to let anything happen to her.

“What, you can’t answer the question? What can Ayden say? If he tells me to leave, he can’t be stupid enough to think I’d leave without her. Do you think he’d put you through not having your mate?”

“No one will keep me away from her. Not even you, Channing. I know how powerful you are, but you don’t scare me. I don’t even really know her, but I’d already die for her. “

“Funny how this whole mating process works, isn’t it? So would I.”

Silence settled through the car until they were pulling up in front of Ayden’s red brick, two-story home. Lights inside were still on, and Connor sighed in relief. Good, maybe his leader wouldn’t be in a bad mood, and everything would go smoothly.

They got out of the car and walked to the front door. Ayden opened it before they could even knock. Connor watched him bite into an apple and gesture for them to come in.

“Guess how many phone calls I’ve received tonight, boys?”

Channing and Connor sat on the couch as Ayden collapsed next to Trevor on the opposite sofa. The two men stared at them. Connor could feel his wolf stir. He hated how he had the reaction of wanting to come right out and attack to defend himself.

“Well, I can imagine Stephen called you.”

Connor looked over at the vampire sitting beside him. Channing’s voice was very soothing, but he knew it was part of the glamour.

“Oh yes, he did. Right after you left with Ev’s friend, Melissa. You know, I’m finding it awfully hard to keep myself sitting here when all I want to do is rip you off that couch and tear my teeth into your neck. You’re a guest in my house, Channing. That doesn’t give you the right to go out and fuck people that consist of my pack. Ev is considered pack, therefore so is everyone she’s close to.”

Connor felt the need to speak up, to defend the man sitting beside him, but miraculously he didn’t. Ayden’s hard gaze went to him.

“Do I need to even ask what the fuck you’re doing with him? As far as I knew, you were somewhere here in Corpus. Are you planning on telling me you’ve lied this whole time?”

“I couldn’t leave. Melissa and I are meant to be mated.”

“Jesus! How long have you known this Connor?’

“Since the first time I saw her.”

Ayden growled. “Weeks ago?”

“Yes.”

The large man stood, towering over him. The speed he moved still had shock value. “And can you tell me why you haven’t told me this until now? You know how I feel about making a mate wait. Is she in pain?”

“No, not yet. At least, not that I’m aware of.”

Ayden began to pace the floor in front of them. “So, what happened? Channing showed up and what?”

Channing shifted next to him. “Melissa and I—we’re also meant…to be together.”

Ayden fell over his feet, stumbling, and turned around with large eyes. “No fucking way.”

---