“Because you loved music?”
“I was a nervous wreck as a kid. I still am, occasionally. But my mom, at the time, didn’t know what to do. But our neighbor was a guitar teacher, and she offered us discounted lessons. So, I learned from our neighbor. Obviously, I was still a fidgety, shaky little kid,” I chuckle. “But it helped a lot. I think that’s why Avery put you into class, too. Music activates a different part of your mind. And for the record, I’m still the nervous, shaky kid, just now with adult money and access to tattoo parlors.”
“Your mom sounds nice,” Maeve says wistfully, a faraway look in her eyes.
“She is. She’s been dying to meet you. You two will get along great.”
“You have more faith in me than I do,” she says, shaking her head. “How do you know it’s not the scent match talking?” Panic colors her voice. “I mean, I had to walk out of work, because of something I made up in my head…” she winces. “I did it with Bean, too. I even did it when I saw your Stormie. I was worriedsomething was wrong with her or she was pregnant and I would never know.”
“It’s not the scent match talking,” I promise her. “I felt this way about you before the match.”
But her frown is still evident, no matter what I say or do. Even as we enjoy our dinner, her scent is still sour.
“Where are Logan and Ivan?” she asks, after she finishes the last of her salmon roll.
“They’re giving us some time to talk. Are you still comfortable with me here?”
Leaving her would be awful. My inner Alpha would rage against it, demanding to stay in her presence and take care of her.
“I am. Thank you for coming, by the way. I wouldn’t have eaten if you hadn’t.”
I know. I know you better than you think.
“It’s harder to do things when we’re paralyzed by our own emotions,” I offer. “Everything is more difficult, at least for me.”
“Tasks are harder,” she adds.
“Exactly.”
“I didn’t realize you were such an anxious child,” she says, turning to face me fully. “I’m sorry you went through that.”
“I’m sorry for whatyouwent through. But I’m not going anywhere, Maeve. None of us are, regardless of what you throw at us.”
Her fingers play with a lock of her hair, twirling the faded violet strands in her hand. “I need to dye my hair,” she murmurs. “I’ve been putting it off. I never do that.”
“You want help?”
At my offer, she smiles and nods. “Sure. It’ll be much easier.”
“Lead the way, sweetheart.”
I purposely don’t comment on her ruined nest when we enter her bedroom. The look of shame on her face is enough to makenot ask about it, but I’m forever grateful that we dropped off our scented clothes and new nesting blankets for her.
My Omega is suffering.
She’s lost in her own head and hurt herself in the process.
But as long as I’m here, I won’t let her go back down that road.
One day, she’ll realize how much she’s loved by me and my packmates.
25
MAEVE
It’s beenthe longest day of my life.
I woke up in Ivan’s arms, terrified something was wrong, and then had my fears confirmed with Alvin.
