Page 22 of Crossed Fates

Fortunately, she seemed completely oblivious to the asshole sizing her up.Maybe ponytails aren’t her thing, jackass,I thought at him, noting his long black hair.Seriously, what the hell were you thinking?

Some men could pull off the whole thick-mane-of-hair thing, but not Hardt. He resembled a motorcycle wannabe with his tats and muscular arms. Why my brother had picked him as a beta, I had no idea.

Totally not worthy.

My wolfharumphedin agreement. Of course, he was focused on Makayla, not the pack hierarchy.

I had to agree with that assessment, too. She deserved a lot better than the likes of Hardt.

Her pretty blue eyes caught mine. Rather than offer comfort, she cringed, then winced, and then shuttered her gaze, making me frown.

What are you hiding, little wolf?I nearly asked.

Because guilt practically poured off her in waves, irritating my inner beast.

My jaw clenched, my instincts rioting.You know something.I can smell it.

But I couldn’t go over there and demand she start talking, because it meant leaving my mother.

We’re talking later, I told Makayla with my eyes.

She gave a slight nod in agreement, clearly reading the intention from my expression.

I’d meant what I’d said earlier—if I found out she had ill intentions toward me or my pack, I’d kill her. Fuck fate. I could take the pain of living without a mate, because it’d be better than remaining with a duplicitous wolf.

“Alaric.” My mother leaned harder into me, her nostrils flaring as she took in the scent of her family. It seemed to calm her momentarily, her shoulders shuddering as she wrapped her own arm around my lower back. “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you, too, Mom,” I murmured back to her, glancing at my father again.

He just gave me a nod of approval. I supposed that was better than him saying,Do more. Which was his usual phrase when we spoke.

He’d never come out and said it, but he was disappointed that I hadn’t challenged Tyler for the position of alpha. A pack could only be as strong as its leader, and as the strongest of his sons, it had been my responsibility to take charge.

Only, I hadn’t wanted to do that to my brother.

A fact that, he and the others would argue, had made me weak in the end.

And unworthy.

Swallowing, I shoved the feelings aside and focused on my goodbyes. I hadn’t seen my brother in over a year. I’d actually been somewhat looking forward to seeing him yesterday, too. Not that I could say that now.

Damn, man,I thought, reaching out to draw a thumb down his arm. My shoulder protested the movement, but I fought through the pain. Tyler was worth it. This moment. This final touch.

My chest warmed, stirring a sensation deep inside me that stroked me to my very soul.

It was as though I could feel my brother touching me back, telling me everything was going to be okay, and promising to be there in the afterlife.

Maybe it was in my head.

But I believed with all my heart that he knew I stood beside him now.

Don’t let me down,he’d say.Don’t let them down.

You know I will,I would reply.It’s what I do.

Fuck off, Ric. You can say that bullshit to Dad, but I know the real you. I know why you did it.

You don’t know anything,I’d argue. Because that was what I always said. Just as I always smiled afterward.You really did know.