Bradley: That we do. And I think this is the first time I feel like we’ve been left on a cliffhanger!
Bridgette: I know! Our audience is champing at the bit to hear the phone call between Ariana and Derrick. Is she going to tell him? Is she ready to bond with him, too? Or will she keep it a secret until she sees him in person again?
Bradley: It’s time to find out, on the finale of Knot What You Expected.
Chapter Thirty-Three
“We’re patchingyou in now, Derrick. How are you feeling about them getting out tomorrow?”
I stretch out on the rental couch, phone propped on my chest on speaker as I stare at the ceiling and listen to Drew’s voice. “Weird. Excited. I’m ready to see all three of them. It feels like it’s been longer than just a few days.”
“I bet it does. Ariana’s in the interview room. Sending the call in.”
I hear the tell-tale click of the line switching, and my smile broadens even though she can’t see me. I’m so glad I’ve gotten these phone calls. I needed this connection to her, and I think we’ve made a lot of progress. I didn’t realize how much better things would be as Derrick than they were as Sax.
“Hey, honey.”
“Hi, Derrick.”
Her voice is soft, nearly blissed out. All I’ve ever wanted is for her to be happy, but I can’t help but feel a little jealous that my packmates are the ones doing it while I’m stuck here on the sidelines.
But that’s what a pack is for. With three of us, she’ll always have someone on her side, someone to be with her. If I can’t be the one holding her, I’m glad it’s Grant and Ivan.
“How was your day?”
“Uh. Eventful. Today’s challenge was intense.”
There’s something in her tone that has me on edge, and my back is locked tight as I perch on the edge of the bed. “What was it?”
“The prize they offered is massive. Two weeks in Vegas, first class flights, a penthouse suite at Hedonistic Heat.”She stumbles over her words in a way she only does when she’s anxious. I’ve heard that tone enough to know she’s holding something back.
“That is a good prize. But what did they ask of you guys to earn it?”
“They challenged me to bond with one of the guys.”
I’m pretty sure my heart has stopped.
I can’t tell if I’m breathing.
They wanted her to bite one of the guys into her pack?
Did she? Which one?
“Oh. That’s a wild challenge.”
It kills me, but I don’t ask her if she did it. I want to live in ignorance just a little longer, because the answer to that question will change everything. If she wants me to know, she’ll tell me.
“I bonded with both of them.”
I’m on my feet so fast my phone tumbles to the ground. I want to scream, to celebrate that we’re going to be a real pack. She’s going to accept me as her Alpha.
Until reality comes crashing down.
She doesn’t have to bond me, too. There’s nothing that says she has to keep our pack together. She can choose thetwo of them and kick me to the curb. I wouldn’t be upset with them for going along with it.
I couldn’t even blame her if she did. I deserve it after all of the lies.
I will never deserve her, but I’m trying to show her that she can trust me with her heart. Maybe, when she learns what I’ve done, she’ll give me a chance to show her that I can be good to her.
