“Then why areyou?” I demanded. “You’re already assuming I ‘won’ because she and I live in the same city. You’re not even giving us the opportunity to say otherwise.”
He was breathing hard now, like a cornered animal. Anger wasn’t going to get us anywhere.
Compassion might.
“I miss my brother, Jack,” I said softly. “I miss the guy who made everyone laugh. I always wished I was more like that, more personable. I assumed you’d have a pack without me one day because no one would want to deal with my grumpy ass.”
He froze.
“You… wished you were like me?” he asked. The genuine shock there told me he’d made me the villain in all this.
“Of course, I did. You carried yourself in a way that drew people in. You didn’t scare them off like I did. You had tons of friends and never said the wrong thing. I had you and North. If it weren’t for you two, I’d have been alone.”
He stared at me like he was trying to see if I was telling the truth. I kept my face open so he could see what I did.
“This whole time,” he said slowly, “I thought you were a dick who couldn’t stick around for his family. Someone who was too good for us the moment you found success. Someone who left us behind without looking back.”
“Ilooked back,” I said gently. “You just weren’t there anymore.”
“Fuck… I’m sorry.” He dragged a hand over his face. “I guess I didn’t realize how much I hated feeling stuck while you got to go out and do this amazing thing. You were wildly successful, and here I was working in the town treasury, barely making my own living.”
“That’s an amazing job,” I said. “And I’m proud of you for it. You’ve always been good with numbers and it’s something everyone looks up to you for. Not to sound like a dick, but money was never an issue for us. You work there because you love it, and that passion shows.”
“Thanks,” Jack said, letting out a breath. “I really like my work. It makes me feel like I’m doing some good in the world.”
“So, where do we go from here?”
He sighed. “To start, I’m going to have to make this up to her.”
“What about North?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
“What about him?” He was feigning innocence. Stubborn alpha.
“Oh, I don’t know,” I drawled. “Maybe the fact that you’vebothbeen in love with each other for years?”
He ignored it again.
“That’s something you owe him, Jack. Figure it out before you start a relationship with someone new,” I said. “Maybe give it some thought. That or cut him loose for his own good.”
Jack looked away, jaw tight. “Maybe you’re right. I’ve always wondered if he felt the same but our friendship is solid. I didn’t want to be the one to ruin it. I need him more than I care to admit.”
“Oh? What was that? Did you say that I’m right?” I asked innocently.
My brother punched me in the bicep, shoving me aside. “Move. I have to find North.”
“You do,” I said, smirking. “I have an omega to take care of. And maybe if you play your cards right, it won’t be long before you do, too.”
He nodded once, like he finally understood.
I truly hoped he did.
There was no way I was letting anyone get in the way of Aspen’s happiness.
North
The bell over the bakery door chimed and I poked my head out of the back, arms loaded down with trays of fresh-baked scones, to greet the customer. My heart skipped a beat at the sight of Jack standing there.
Like it always did. He walked in the room and he had all of my attention just from existing.
