I feel like an a** when I see Stacey and Emmett jump apart. “At least somebody isn’t afraid to claim their mate” Gideon says. “You just couldn’t resist, could you?” He chuckles before he goes quiet again. “Beck, I want to tell Emmett about our past but I needed to talk to you first since it not just my story” Stacey says.
I nod my head and I sit back watching different emotions play out on Emmett’s face as Stacey retells the worst day of our lives.
When Stacey finishes Emmett pulls her onto his lap and holds her close. I may never have this with Rosalyn because I let my fear and guilt rule my actions. I’m ready to stand and give them some privacy when Stacey lifts her head and her eyes meet mine. I know what she is silently encouraging me to do. I don’t know if talking to her brother before I speak to her is a good idea, but honestly, I might not get the chance to talk to her without his help.
“Emmett, losing Deborah broke me in ways that most wolves can’t even imagine. A part of me died with her that day. If it hadn’t been for Lily and Stacey, I probably wouldn’t have survived the loss of my mate.” I see pain and sympathy in his eyes. “I never wanted to have another mate.
Part of it was because I felt like I would be betraying Deborh but part of it was I felt like a failure for not protecting her. My own father was the reason that Lily was going to grow up without her mother. I should have been able to protect her” I say fighting back the tears that want to fall.
I take a deep breath. “Emmett, I’ve met my second chance mate but instead of embracing her for the gift she is, I acted like a coward. I ran away from her.” I notice his body language change and I wonder if he has figured out why I’m telling him all of this. “Beck, I’m really hoping that you’re not telling me this because my little sister is your mate.
Please tell me you didn’t reject my sister,” he says his voice laced with anger and sadness.
I drop my gaze to the ground. Before I realize what’s happening I’m on my back on the ground and Emmett is looming over me. My eyes meet Stacey’s and she looks panicked. I raise my hand to stop her from interfering. Emmett has my shirt twisted in his fists.
“Do you know what she has been through? The pain she has endured? How the f**k could you hurt her after all the pain she has already survived?”
“Who hurt my mate?” I growl even though I know part of the answer is me. Something flashes in his eyes before he finally scrambles off me. He looks between me and Stacey, before he settles on me. “Tell me what happened between you and Rose” he demands.
I explain everything that happened at dinner last night and the bakery today. His shoulders relax and a hint of smile crosses his face. “So do you really want my sister as your mate or were you butt hurt another male might be interested,” he says.
“I can’t tell you everything that happened to Rose before we left our pack because it’s not my story to tell. I will help you talk to her if you intend to claim her and love her the way she deserves to be loved,” he says, Hope blooms in my chest. “You are worthy of this second chance Beck. Rosalyn is meant to be ours, so don’t f**k it up again” Gideon says.
I make my way to the dining room after meeting with the trackers. It’s like Rosalyn disappeared. They have only been able to determine they headed north and haven’t made any stops in nearby packs. We assumed that they would seek asylum in a neighboring pack but none of them have welcomed any new pack members recently.
I know my father is getting desperate because my mother is demanding to speak with Miranda and he is running out of excuses. In his desperation he has contacted my uncle who is part of the Werewolf Council. He is supposed to be her tonight. He has assured my father he has a way to locate her.
I notice we are getting looks from other pack members so I lead her out of the dining room and into a large conference room. “Addie, I know you miss Rose. I miss her too but there are things I just can’t tell you.” “Bullsh*t, I have a right to know what is going on with my best friend. She isn’t just your godd*mn mate” her voice is rising with every word.
I hate the pain I see in my sister’s eyes. Just another way I have f**ked things up. “You know I’ve heard things Reese and I didn’t want to believe them because you’re my brother and I love you but all this secret bullsh*t has me wondering if there isn’t some truth to the rumors” she says. I feel bile rise in my throat.
“You know how the pack members love to gossip. What have you heard Addie?” “I heard that you cheated on Rosie with one of the pack skanks and she left because of it. I always respected you because you insisted you were going to wait for your mate. Tell me you wouldn’t do that to your mate Reese.
Tell me you wouldn’t do that to Rosie” she demands. I’m not sure what she sees in my eyes but she turns to leave.
I rush and grab her arm before she can leave the room. “Addie, I never touched one of the pack skanks, I swear to you.” Her shoulders sag and I hate myself when I see relief flash in her eyes. She wraps her arms around my middle and I rub my hand in circles on her back. “I knew you would never do such a thing.
I’m sorry I even doubted you for a second, Reese” she says. I can’t keep lying to her. I know my father is going to be pissed but I can’t lie to Addie or my mother anymore. I have to tell them what I’ve done and beg their forgiveness. If I have any hope of becoming the man that Rosie deserves, I need to own my mistakes.
“Addie,” I start to say before the door to the room bangs open. My eyes meet a pissed off Logan’s. “You might want to do something with your future Beta. He is sh*tfaced and running his mouth about his sister.” What the hell?
Rosalyn POV
I’ve tried to focus on baking and decorating cupcakes all day, but I can’t stop thinking about Beck. Why the hell was he here this morning? If he wants to reject me it wouldn’t be smart to do it where humans could hear. We both will suffer from the denied bond. My heart aches thinking about how horrified he looked when he realized I was his destined mate.
I’m still not sure why I couldn’t sense his wolf until I felt the tingles but there was no mistaking the feeling of connection when our fingers touched.
Why did the goddess choose another man who doesn’t want me for their mate? What the hell is wrong with me? “There is not a damn thing wrong with you. It’s those two that are the problem. Reese is just a greedy selfish pr*ck who despite being given the perfect mate thought he deserved more.
As far as Beck I have a feeling he is going to realize what an id*ot he is soon. When he does Rose, he’ll want to make things right with you,” Zora says.
Part of me wishes she was right but after everything that’s happened, I won’t let myself hope. I hate the thought of never knowing what it feels like to be bonded to the other half of our soul. My name being called breaks me out of my thoughts. I turn around and Holly is standing in the doorway, irritation clearly on her face. My first thought is Beck came back to talk to me and she isn’t happy.
I’m not sure how I feel about that but I don’t have time to really decide. “There is a man who says he’s your brother in the front of the store. He said he’s here to take you home. I see your done cleaning so I guess it’s alright for you to leave,” she says. “Holly, its five o’clock.
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