Oh, dear gods.
I shifted my weight in the seat, trying to arrange myself in a comfortable position. But all that did was confirm that, yes, Iwashard.
That was a first. I’d never had a boner while tattooing a client before.
But Brady wasn’t any old client. He was my fated mate, whether he knew it or not. Did he sense an innate connection between us? Or were his human instincts too blunted to recognize the strings of destiny tying us together?
I was running out of time. I had to tell him the truth before I finished this tattoo.
But there was still one thing I remained curious about. Brady had mentioned a recent break-up with his ex—Kiara’s alpha father—but he hadn’t said why they broke up. What if he wasn’t ready for another relationship so soon? Humans had different customs than shifters. Even if what I felt for him was powerful and real, it was possible Brady wouldn’t appreciate my advances.
Fate brought us together today, and fate didn’t make mistakes. The only way to know if Brady was ready was to ask. I had to trust fate, which meant trusting my to-be mate to be honest with me.
“Brady,” I began softly. “Can I ask you something a bit intrusive?”
He blinked at me. “Sure.”
“Why did you break up with your ex?”
Brady flinched. I regretted hurting him, but I didn’t regret bringing it up. My alpha instincts stirred within me, eager to know the truth—eager to nurture and protect my mate, even from his own past.
Despite reopening the wound, Brady didn’t back down from my question. He took a deep breath.
“So... He cheated on me. Twice.”
I stopped breathing. The machine buzzed uselessly in my hand for a long beat.
Anger like I’d never known exploded inside me, like a volcanic eruption bursting from a chasm. How dare that worthless man treat Brady that way? Not once, but twice?
My soul flared. My other self—the tyger—ran rampant with fury. Within its spiritual cage, it raked its talons and tossed its mane. It was right beneath the surface of my skin, desperate to break loose and cause me to shift.
I managed to rein it in at the last second, but I couldn’t keep its rage from seeping into my voice.
“Hewhat?” I growled.
Brady looked surprised for a second. He hadn’t expected that nonhuman growl from me, but I couldn’t stop it. I wasthatpissed.
“Yeah,” Brady said, sounding defeated. The dark memory made him slump against the seat. I wanted to grab him and pull him into the safety of my arms, but I restrained myself. “The first time it happened, he said it was a one-night stand. He said it wouldn’t happen again. But looking back on it now, I know it was a lie. He probably thought I’d forgive him anyway, so what did it matter?”
“There’s no excuse,” I muttered, the tyger’s uncanny snarl laced into my voice. “He didn’t deserve you. He’s a pathetic excuse for an alpha. You are far too good for him, Brady.”
His eyes shone, watery with emotion. “You think?” he murmured.
“Iknow. There’s a wonderful man sitting in front of me, perfect in every way. And that asshole treated you like shit.” I didn’t swear often, but I was so angry that the curses slipped out of me.
Brady’s blue eyes widened. “Perfect...?”
I met his gaze, unwavering. “Yes. That’s what you are.”
He let out a shaky laugh, like half of him wanted to play it off as a joke, but the other half took it to heart. His cheeks and ears were pink, and if I looked closely at his chest, I saw its rapid rise and fall as his breathing quickened. That compliment truly meant something to him.
“Wow,” Brady breathed. He stared at my supply cart, avoiding my eyes. “No one’s ever called me that word before.”
I felt another stab of fury. Of course that useless ex-alpha never told Brady what he was worth. He didn’t appreciate him.
Not like I did.
Because I knew Brady’s true worth. He was a great man, a wonderful father, and a fine omega. He was everything I wanted.
