“Speaking of, what the fuck was that?” I bit out, waving a knife around. He promptly took it and chopped for me in true Conrad fashion.
“Cade’s dad is a grade-A dick. That’s the only way I can describe it. He’s never cared about him or hockey. He wants him to fit in a pretty little mold. Really, he wanted him to take over the company, but because he made a name for himself in hockey, he’s had to adapt.”
We were quiet for another moment or two, before he gave me a serious look again.
“For what it’s worth, you have my blessing. I think that they work well for you, and honestly, you’ve brought life out in them. Lennon has never let anyone get close to him. He holds people at arm’s length. He’s been hurt before, and he let it change him.”
“He told me about it,” I said.
“That in itself is a miracle.”
I bit back a smile. My omega and I loved the fact they were giving me pieces of themselves the same way I gave pieces to them. It felt equal.
“It goes beyond that. Kieran has been an incredible friend, but he’s had this quiet sadness that he never shakes. He embraced it and it became a part of him. Not anymore. I’ve seen him smile and relax for the first time. That’s all you.”
My brother wasn’t the sappy type. Hearing all of this from him was exactly what I needed.
“They’ve given you your confidence back. They brought you back to life.”
“They’re pretty great, huh?” I said as his words sank in. Everything I’d felt but refused to acknowledge came rushing in.
No matter how terrifying it was… I wanted every complicated piece of this pack.
“They are,” he agreed. “We just weren’t pack material and that’s okay. Close friends can simply be just that. Friends.”
“You’ll find a pack someday, and it will all click into place,” I promised.
“Is that how it felt with them?”
It was an easy answer. “Yes. From the moment I met them, there was a connection. Which is ironic because their scents weren’t noteworthy at first. They were pleasant and I enjoyed them, but it wasn’t earth-shattering. The more time I spent at the house getting to know them and finding myself again, the more it changed.”
“That was probably your bond dissolving,” he said. “I’m so glad you didn’t get sick from it breaking.”
“I think the fact they felt nothing says all there is to say. It was a slow process, and that’s what saved us. My omega realized that they weren’t right for us and she let them go.”
“Good riddance,” Conrad said. “And I’m holding you to the deal we made. The moment they realize what went down, I’m going to beat the douchebag right out of them. Treating you like this has consequences.”
I rolled my eyes, but let him have this one.
“The moment they realize, they’re yours, brother. Just don’t get arrested,” I said.
“They wouldn’t dare. We have receipts of their neglect,” he said with a wicked smile, stealing a cookie in true brother fashion before walking out of the room.
The only thing I could focus on now was the fact that my brother gave me his blessing. His opinion mattered to me, and the idea of starting a pack while also causing a rift with him had never settled well.
Maybe now I could stop fighting myself and stop fighting this pack.
Chapter
Twenty-One
Lana
Today had been such a whirlwind between the job offer and fixing things with my brother. I felt like I could take on anything.
The house was too quiet when I walked in, but for once it didn’t really bother me. What I needed was a shower to wash away the smells of the kitchen, but at least the team was properly packed for the upcoming game.
I pushed open my door to find a large box waiting on my bed. There was a bright red envelope attached to it. Curiosity had me rushing forward, ripping it off, and tearing it open.
