If him staying away from me is what I wanted, then why does it feel like I’ve been sucker punched?
A fresh wave of anger has my hands curling into fists. “So you’re just going to leave again.”
“I thought that’s what you wanted.”
“I don’t know what I want, Jagger!” I throw my arms up in the air. My feelings for Jagger are infuriating—the way I’m drawn to him is so tied up with the pain of him leaving. “I’m confused, okay? I need space and time to think, but I don’t want you to leave your pack.” I make sure my voice is firm. “I’m sure of that at least.”
“But scent matches should?—”
“We’re not just talking about scent matches here,” I huff indignantly. “Tae and Nash are your pack, Jagger. Whatever you and I are working through, it’s separate.”
Although it’s slightly different, I can’t imagine ever having to leave the Stellas. The thought alone makes me feel physically ill.
Nash doesn’t say anything, just keeps watching on, while Tae exhales deeply in relief. “So where does that leave us?”
“I… I don’t know.” My mouth is as dry as a stale tortilla chip. “I can’t deny my connection to all of you, but I don’t know how—or even if I can—move forward.”
“I’ll never hurt you again.” Jagger drops to his knees in front of me. “I’ll do anything to prove it to you.”
I want to believe him so badly that my chest aches. Yet there’s no magic potion that can erase all the destruction he’s caused. Or tear down the walls I’ve built around my heart. It’ll take more than sweet nothings for me to let them down again.
“I can’t promise I’ll ever forgive you, Jagger,” I murmur. “But I canfeelthat you’re sorry.”
He takes my hands in his, bowing his head, the most vulnerable position an alpha can be in. “I’ll never stop trying to earn your trust again. However long it takes.”
I nod stiffly. “You can get up now.”
“How about we take baby steps?” Tae suggests as Jagger stands. “We can start by just getting to know each other betterand going on a few dates. No pressure, and we can slow the pace if it gets to be too much.”
“I think…” I bite down on my lip, sitting with that for a second. “I think I can do that.”
“That’s decided, then. Dates it is.” Nash grunts and points at a croissant. “Is anyone going to eat that?”
I laugh shakily, the tension in the room dissipating.
“You can have it,” I tell him.
Nash licks his lips before he devours half of it in one bite.
“So…” Tae smiles brightly. “What work do you have planned today, Nash?”
He immediately launches into his plans to make Jagger a recording studio in the basement before a loud ringing interrupts him.
“It’s Val.” Jagger sighs at his cell phone. “I’ll be right back.”
“Tell Valerie it’s the weekend,” Nash grumbles before aggressively tearing away a piece of croissant with his teeth.
I tilt my head to the right. “Who’s Valerie?”
“Jagger’s manager,” Tae answers me. “Nash hates her.”
“I don’t hate her.” Nash wipes his mouth. “She’s just not on my Christmas card list.”
Tae chuckles. “She’s gotta be furious about what happened last night at the show.”
I can hear Jagger talking from the next room, and catch snatches of the conversation: “…it just happened… Drew and Brad…” When he strides back in, I can hear a woman squawking down the other line. Jagger cuts her off mid-sentence. “My pack is more important than anyPack Firetour.” He hangs up then slaps the cell phone down screen-first on the table. He smiles apologetically. “Sorry about that.”
Tae tilts his head. “From one to apocalyptic, how mad is she?”
