Page 106

How do I measure up when Devyn has Ben and Connor in her pack? Why the fuck would she want me?

Does she regret bonding with me?

I was her first bite, yet she’s ignored all my texts and calls.

It suddenly makes sense.

I’ve been taking out my insecurities on Ben, and sometimes Connor.

They haven’t deserved any of it.

“Also,” Ben adds, gritting his teeth, “we each have our own problems. I don’t come from a ‘perfect’ background, like you might think. I don’t have an amazing relationship with my parents. In fact, the closest I am to my family is my cousin, who happens to be an asshole. So, you can fuck off with all your judgments about me.”

I narrow my eyes, and Connor sighs. “Ace,” he murmurs. “Enough.”

“Listen to me,” Ben continues, looking at the both of us. “Devyn is, and I mean this, thebestthing that’s happened to me. These last days have been hell, and we have to find a way to win her back, and the only way to do that is if we work together.” He nods at me. “And I cansensehow you feel about her. How it’s made you sick that you’re not near her. You look as awful as I feel.”

I grimace. “Thanks.”

“The most important thing in this world to Devyn is family,” he adds. “I assume you already figured that out. What we need to do is show her that she is our family, and we’re hers. Us attacking each other made her shut down, and the distance is likely making her sick, too.”

I shift uncomfortably. The idea of my Omega hurting as much as I am is devastating.

“If we push her, it will only make things worse,” Connor agrees. “Which is why we have you over here. Help us figure out what to do.”

Ben nods. “I’m willing to start over,” he says to me. “If you are.”

His eyes are tired and dull, but his expression is still sincere.

It’s the face of a man that is willing to sacrifice everything to make his girl happy.

In that way, I see myself in Ben.

Maybe I’ve been kind of an asshole to him—and maybe I should get to know him better, even if it’s just for Devyn’s sake.

We have to get her back, and I’ll do whatever it takes.

19

BEN

I thoughtI was walking into a shitstorm, and I was right.

Ace spent half the evening looking at me like he wanted to murder me. But slowly, his expression has turned more curious than murderous.

When he’s not actively hating me, I find I enjoy his company. I did a bit more research into his past with River’s help, and we found out more about his record.

He was smart with what he did. True to his word, there was never any violence.

From what I could gather, Ace grew up in poverty, just like Devyn.

You do what you must do to survive, and I’ve been lucky enough to not have to make those tough choices.

Ace isn’t the type of person I’m worried about.

I’m more concerned with Otraffickers and the people that kidnapped Devyn’s best friends.

Yes, he broke into our apartment’s parking garage, but I would have done the same thing if I could.