One thing she loved about Dad, among many things, was he never minced words, never tried to paint a bad reality with rainbows and daffodils, nor tried to give her clichéd lines as a bandage solution. No expressions of fish in the sea or being better off. He remained quiet because he must’ve known nothing he could say would solve the ache in her heart.
Chapter 16
Eric stomped back into the cabin and slammed the door. The whole cabin shook. He turned to his parents, the wolf pressing hard against the inside of his skin. His gums stung as his werewolf teeth pushed for release. “What the hell was that?”
Mom and Dad jerked back, while Heather frowned.
“What do you mean?” Mom said.
“You told Brenna Heather was going to be my wife.” He bit the words out, struggling to maintain control. His canines elongated and blood trickled onto his tongue.
Brutus howled and scratched at his bones.Let me out.
No way could he let his wolf out now, the beast would rage and wouldn’t care who he hurt.
“And what’s wrong with that?” Mom’s mouth turned down. “And why would it matter what I said or didn’t say to that girl?”
“She’s a null,” Dad added.
“She’s my mate.”
Mom gasped. Dad turned away. Silence descended in the cabin. The stillness of the snow-covered mountain surrounded them.
Heather covered her mouth with her hand, eyes wide. Pain briefly flickered across her expression. “Your mate?”
He nodded.
She squeezed her eyes shut, tensed for a moment, before her entire posture relaxed. “A true mate?” She shook her head. “I never had a chance.”
He didn’t know what to say to that, so he remained silent.
Heather frowned and glanced back at the door. “Why are you here with us? Go after her.”
He took a deep breath, thankful Heather had the decency to understand when his parents couldn’t string two words together. “I tried. She left.”
“I…I don’t understand,” Mom said. “You’ve known Brenna for ages. You practically grew up together. You’re friends with her brother. How did you not know earlier?”
Dad studied him, expression grim. “You knew.”
Eric sighed and turned away, the silent accusation clear in his father’s tone. “I’ve known since I was eighteen. I…I hurt her, and she left.”
“Why would you do such a thing?” Heather asked. “A true mate is a gift.”
“I was young, and dumb. I wasn’t expecting to find a true mate, especially not so soon after turning eighteen.”
“Did you not like her?” Heather asked.
Eric barked out a laugh, more bitter and jaded. “I loved everything about her. Still do.”
“Then…why?” Heather scratched her head. “I don’t understand.”
“I worried what it would mean to have Brenna as my mate,” he said. “Especially when I’m going to take over the pack one day.”
“Because she’s a null?” Mom asked, voice smoother and calmer.
He nodded.
“But…nulls are to be cherished,” Heather sputtered.
