Page 19 of Wild in Spirit

“You’re not helping me run from him. You’re keeping him from getting hurt. Despite what you think of my decisions, I don’t want to hurt either of them.”

“You think never getting their fated mate won’t hurt them?”

“I think finding out their fated mate doesn’t want them would be worse. No matter which one it is.”

He frowned at that, clearing his throat. “That’s…yeah. That would hurt. Nassau, though…he’s a good guy, he would understand…”

“Please. I…I don’t want to hear about how good of a guy either of them is. That’s not the point. It sounds selfish of me, but it makes it harder. I don’t want to know who they are, or how great they are.”

“Fair enough. So, who is the other option? That way I can help you avoid him too. It doesn’t hurt to have someone else on your side. Especially if they’re both Tuisa. Ava can’t be the only one keeping you apart.”

“That’s not a good idea. You only know one right now, and you’re not handling that well.”

“That’s different. Nas is my cousin. We grew up together, we did everything together. Literally, he eats at our table almost as much as we do. I can’t help being biased.”

“I get that.”

“It’s probably not him. You two don’t seem like you’d work. No offense, but he’s the most serious person I’ve ever met, besides Makaii, of course. And quiet.”

She narrowed her gaze at him. “What exactly are you saying about me?”

Leaning back, he grinned. “You’d understand if you met him. I just can’t see it. Probably the other guy. Just tell me who.”

That stung a little and knowing that surprised her. She shouldn’t be hurt because he was right. He might not be her mate. But everyone loved her—always had. What’s so wrong with her that people didn’t take her seriously?

“You’re a smart guy. Figure it out. I’m taking a nap.” She reclined her chair, pulling the blanket over herself and turning her back to him.

“Nope. Tell me. Otherwise, I will sit back and let you handle my Aunt Ife on your own. I guarantee she will want you to meet her only son as soon as they land. Matter of fact, he will probably be on the landing strip, ensuring we get in safely because that’s who he is.”

She swore under her breath. That is exactly what that sweet woman up there would do. She seemed like so much fun, and it was obvious she was extremely family oriented. She was already treating Bailey like part of her family.

“You’re playing dirty.”

“No, I’m being realistic. Tell me.”

“That’s the problem, Keoni. You’re already not thinking because you think it’s Nassau. Who else would always be around you guys? Who else would be the only man in the room I haven’t met? Who else went everywhere with you during those two weeks we fought the Council? You’d have already figured it out if you weren’t so focused on me hurting Nassau. I don’t want to hurt either of them. That’s the two things I’m trying to do. Protect myself, and not hurt my mate. I’m doing my best to avoid that and still be who I want to be.”

He blinked rapidly at her, and she knew his realization was so close, but saying his name was hard. Knowing that the other was so much more likely would hurt everyone.

“You know who I am. You heard what I was like before you met me. Everyone knows me as the pack playgirl. Who else would ‘the perfect fit for someone like me?’” She used air quotes, anger lacing her voice at her own words. “Who’s the one person I deserve? Not the good guy in your group. Not the man patiently waiting for his mate. I wouldn’t deserve him. Who makes more sense for someone like me?”

“Isaiah.”

He whispered his name, clearly taken aback, and she turned her head, leaning back into the headrest. The pack playboy. The man every girl wanted. The shifter who probably slept with someone new every single night. And the other best friend in their group.

“I know. He doesn’t want a mate either. So, you’d think we’d be perfect for each other. We could do a simple, clean rejection and both live our lives free, right?” She slapped her hand down on the armrest in frustration. “Or we both can’t resist, and we do things we would both regret. Live lives that we can’t reverse. It’sbetter only one of us suffers than both. If I stay away, I’ll get used to it. I can be free again. But if both of us…”

“Bailey…”

“I don’t need your words, Keoni. But a little help keeping them both away from me would be nice. I do care, for their sake. For them.”

“And for you. You’re my friend too, Bai.”

“Not like them. Eventually, I can fade into the background. You can forget about me, like I want them to. It’s what’s best all-around in this situation.”

He didn’t speak, and the tension between them was uncomfortable, especially when there was nothing she could do to escape it.

“Tell me about your aunt. So, she knows how to fly too? How did that come about?”

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