Time seemed to freeze, the only sound in my ears the pounding of my heart as I waited for him to make his move. And it had to be him. I’d fucked up before. I’d apologised again and again, and as I stood almost chest to chest with him now, I knew the years apart had done nothing to dampen my desire for him. The primal urge I felt just to be near him. It wasn’t rational or anything I could explain, and honestly, I’d thought I was over it, but it only took a moment alone for all the feelings to come flooding back.
But whatever happened next had to be his choice.
And when he closed his eyes, severing our connection, I knew he’d made it. The small step back confirmed it and my heart sank to my stomach.
“I’m sorry for the way I’ve spoken to you in front of Max and the others.” He sounded cold and emotionless, as though none of the last few minutes had happened.
Like a splash of icy water.
“I’ll try to be civil in future,” he added, finally meeting my eyes again, and it was like looking into a void. “But if you come after any of my pack, I make no promises.” He turned on his heel and stalked out of the room, leaving me staring after him, wondering what the hell had just happened.
I slumped back against the wall, heart still banging about in my chest as I struggled to sort out feelings I had no right experiencing.
We’d barely been adults the last time we’d met. And it’d been over before we really began.
But it felt like I’d known him forever.
RYS
Axel stoodby the car waiting for me, arms folded across his chest. I stalked across the car park, not even bothering to rein in the mix of anger, want, and frustration bubbling up inside me. Thank fuck I hadn’t run into Max on my way out of the station. Although with Gabriel leaving the door open, he and half the station probably heard our conversation.
Ten years and he still had the power to turn me inside out.
I’d almost kissed him.
I growled, frustration winning out. What the fuck was my problem? I hated Gabriel Mason with a fucking passion.
You know what the problem is.
I did. And that made it all the more irritating. Our connection was soul-deep, and I couldn’t walk away from that as easily as I had Gabriel. Anger, hurt, and teenage wilfulness had spurred me on before.
I was older now. So was he.
I knew he was sorry. Felt the sincerity in his apology. Fuck, I’d felt it the first time, even if I’d been in no position to hear it or even want it.
I didn’t know if I was ready now, either.
But he was right about one thing. Two, really.
I had treated him like shit.
He’d deserved it ten years ago, but not now. I couldn’t hold our past against him forever, no matter that a part of me wanted to. I didn’t have to forgive him, but I should probably start acting like an adult around him.
Like the alpha I am.
And we were both on the same side as far as wanting this case solved. Axel wasn’t involved, I’d stake my life on it, but someone else was. I trusted Falon, and if he said Callum Walker wasn’t someone who’d mess with hallucinogenic drugs, then that was enough for me. If these cases were linked, then someone was behind it all, poisoning non-humans enough to send them over the edge, making them a danger to the human population.
I didn’t want any of my pack to be the next victim.
For that reason alone, I could be civil where Gabriel was concerned.
Maybe if he and Max wrapped up this case, then Gabriel would have no need to remain here. He could go back to wherever it was he called home these days.
I looked down, only then realising I was rubbing at my chest.
For as much as I hated the way I felt around him, the thought of him leaving didn’t make it any better.
What a fucking mess.
