Page 26 of Melissa's Mates (Blissful Bets)

Mindlessly, Melissa tried talking to herself to get her mind off of the pain that threatened to explode out of her chest. Everything inside of her screamed to go back, but she couldn’t. Bond or no bond, she couldn’t just submit. It wasn’t who she was.

“Tell me what you want me to do. I hate seeing you like this, Mel. I’ve never seen you cry. What was that guy talking about back there? Are you really in physical pain?”

“No.” The lie came out of her mouth before she even thought to answer. Everything in her said she couldn’t let her friend grow any more suspicious than she probably already was. “Are you sure I can stay with you? I really would hate to impose.”

“You’re fucking kidding me right? I threw up in your grass, and you gave me your pajamas and put me in your bed, and now you’re asking me if I mind you staying with me while you go through the hardest thing in your life? Come on, Mel. You know I love you. Gosh, you’re like my sister. Do I mind?” Julie shook her head back and forth.

“I know, but I’m not sure how long I’ll be.”

“And it doesn’t matter. You can stay as long as you need. If that’s ten years, I’m perfectly okay with that.”

The lights from Corpus came into view, and Melissa clutched to her chest as she turned to look out the window. Damn, she hoped she was doing the right thing. It sure as hell didn’t feel like it.

* * * *

Connor raked his fingers through his hair while he stared angrily at Channing. “I hate this. Do you feel how much pain she’s in? I say we go to Corpus right now and bring her back. If Ayden told us not to let her hurt, why are we still here?”

“Because it is six in the morning and I think she needs to realize her love for us on her own. Control, remember? She needs to feel like things are exactly the way she wants them. We fit into her life. Or have you forgotten us talking about this already?”

“But it’s crazy. We need to at least stay in Corpus to be closer to her. The nearer we are, the more the pain will decrease.”

“So, what are you saying? Do you want to go stay with Ayden?”

“I have an apartment. Or are you forgetting that’s where I’m from?” Connor shook his head at the vampire who was looking rather annoyed.

“Why didn’t you mention this before? We’d have left a long damn time ago. I would have mentioned motel, but I seriously hate those things.”

“We’re taking my truck. Your car can stay here.”

“That’s fine with me.”

The men walked out of the door, locking it behind them. Connor wasn’t worried about getting back inside without a key. He didn’t need one. Pulling his truck keys from his pocket, he unlocked it with the keypad and climbed inside.

The twenty-minute trip to Corpus was rode in complete silence as Connor went over his thoughts. The closer they came, the more he realized the ache eased. It actually felt like he could breathe again, which was a relief. At least he knew Melissa would be feeling better. Even now, after all these hours, Connor knew she was still awake. The mark pulled him to continue forward, but he turned into his apartment complex.

“She’s further into the city. I can feel the pull to her. It wants me to keep going. Damn, this is going to be harder than hell.”

“Yeah, already I feel like I’m going out of my mind. Nice complex.”

“Thanks. Ayden and Trevor used to live here. I took over their lease when they bought their house with Nicole. She used to live right there,” Connor said, pointing across the parking lot to the upstairs apartment directly across from them.

“Really, how romantic. I’ve never heard the story how the Alpha and his best friend met their mate.”

Connor laughed. “Maybe someday I’ll tell you.”

They walked up the sidewalk, and he unlocked the door, letting Channing go first. “The couch turns into a bed. I don’t think Londyn is here at the moment, but he might be back shortly. I let him crash here while I was watching over Melissa. I think he’s pretty much moved in. He’s a cool guy, so no worries.”

Channing nodded and started removing the cushions. Connor could feel his eyes turning heavy. “I think Melissa is falling asleep. I can feel her calming now that the pain isn’t so bad. I’m going to bed. If you need anything, help yourself.” He tossed the keys on the kitchen table. “Truck’s yours, too, if you need it. Don’t you dare go to see her without me, though. Do you understand?”

“I wouldn’t do that, Connor.”

“Good. I just wanted to make sure.”

Walking to his room, he collapsed to the bed without so much as taking off his clothes. He felt exhausted. Sleep would do some good. As soon as he woke up, he’d be ready to go and find out where Melissa was staying. Then he could watch over her like he needed.

The sound of Channing settling in the living room was the last thing Connor heard before he saw the vision of his mate flash before his eyes and darkness settle over.

* * * *

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