He turned around, his forehead creased, but he didn’t object. “Where can I talk with you without Riley jumping at me for every word that comes out of my mouth?”
“I don’t know. But I think it’s better if we stay here on the ground.”
“Are you scared of me, Bella?”
I pulled my hand from his touch, and I missed his warmth and the sparks he was giving me, but there was no way I would take his hand again, so instead, I crossed my arms against my chest as I nodded my head.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have jump at you. I got too excited.”
“Do you usually do that? Jump at any female and think you can charm her while wrapped up in your arms?”
“I don’t jump at females.”
“But you have too many wrapped around your fingers.” I rolled my eyes at him. I didn’t know how to tell him I knew about him and his wild ways.
“Wait, where is all this animosity coming from?”
“They said you have had many females, which I think was unfair. I saved myself for my mate, only to be mated to someone who picked up and dropped females whenever he pleased. I don’t want a public dick.”
Shit!There, I said it. I should feel better, but my heart constricted at the pain that crossed his eyes.
“So that’s it. I won’t be given a chance because you heard things about me?”
“Is it true? When was the last time you had sex with someone? I want an honest answer.”
“Last night.”
I couldn’t stop the tears from my eyes as my heart clenched in pain. I didn’t think it was possible to feel this kind of pain for someone I just met.
I turned on my heel and was about to walk away when I felt a hand snake around my wrist and the sparks danced around me one more time, making me stop walking away.
“If you met me in other circumstances, do you think you would give me a chance?”
I turned my head slightly before I answered him. “What do you mean?”
“If you just met me at the mall, or maybe just somewhere on the street, and you had no idea who I was, do you think you would give me a chance? Get to know me before rejecting me?”
I bit my bottom lip as the tears kept falling from my eyes. How I wished I had met him somewhere else, where his brothers didn’t make fun of him. Maybe it wouldn’t be too hard like this.
“Do you think, under different circumstances, there’s a possibility of you liking me?”
I couldn’t answer him because I knew it would have been different if I didn’t know anything about him.
“I’m 25 now, Bella. I have waited for you since I turned eighteen. I searched for you more than my brothers did for their mates. I’ve been to almost every pack all around the country looking for you. But I didn’t find you. How was I to know you lived among humans? If I knew, I would have searched more. I’m sorry I gave up on you. I just thought the Goddess didn’t deem me worthy of a mate, so I gave up. I played around, but I didn’t make any promises to any females. Despite the possibility of not finding you, I was determined not to settle for anyone other than my mate. But I know it still doesn’t justify my actions. I’m sorry if I didn’t meet your expectations. If you’re not ready for me now, I understand. I can wait another year or two. Heck, even seven years again. Or more. I have a lifetime to pursue you. Just give me a chance. I will give up my wild ways. I can do that, and I can prove that. Just tell me what I need to do more of.”
I was sobbing, and it was harder to breathe, but I refused to look at him. I didn’t know what I wanted. There was just silence, except for my soft sobs that I was trying to stifle and the beating of two pained hearts.
“I understand. It was nice to meet you, Bella. Have a safe flight.” His voice barely reached my ears and then he was gone.
All I heard was a roaring engine, and the moment I turned around, his car was speeding off. I finally let the sobs escape my throat as the pain in my chest intensified.
He was gone.
I turned around and sprang toward the packhouse. “Dawson! Dawson!”
I was screaming for Dawson, and everyone rushed outside, meeting me at the top of the steps. I could hear them questioning where Trent was and if he had hurt me, but my eyes were focused on Dawson, my hands clutching his forearms.
“Can you drive fast? We need to go after Trent, please!”
