Chapter 19 Chapter 19
Throwing his T-shirt over his shoulder, Brendan tilted his head. “Do you want to take a picture?”
She shook her head, snapping herself out of it and looked away. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Oh?” He sped towards her, towering over her. “So you weren’t just staring at my body?”
Her cheeks heated, but she rolled her eyes. “The sun was reflecting on your sweat; it was practically burning my eyes.”
Brendan scoffed, stepping closer and shielding the sun. “Why don’t you take a look now? Better yet, take a whiff.” He brushed his mouth against her ear. “Indulge in my scent,” he purred, “you know you want to.”
Suki pushed him away, “Why are you always taunting me like that? You treat me like I’m some plaything.”
He frowned, furrowing his brows. “Do you expect me to be all lovey-dovey like your precious warrior mate?”
“Whatever, I’ll just go–” she turned, but was stopped by him immediately in front of her. Leaning against a tree behind her, Suki gave him a serious look.
“Why are you here?”
“I was delivering something to the Alpha.”
“And your father just so happened to be okay with that?” He forced a fake laugh, “That I doubt.” Resting his hand against the tree, he leaned in close, his lips barely an inch away from hers, “The truth.”
Suki swallowed the lump in her throat as she gazed deeply into his eyes, “I really was delivering something. But… We need to talk.”
Brendan’s face fell flat, and he stepped back. “Dangerous words that no one ever wants to hear, especially with the look that is painted on your face. What’s wrong?”
She explained it all to him, just as she did to Reynard, wanting to date them both and see who she wants to pick out of the two of them. With Rey, it was fine; he took it like a champ and respected her choice. Brendan however…
“What the fuck do you mean date both of us to then only pick one of us?” Rage fired in his eyes. “Seems a bit pointless, doesn’t it, love? The hated Rogue versus the admired Warrior? We all know how these types of stories play out.”
Suki frowned. “That’s not fair. Brendan, just let me explain my thought process–”
“How about I just make it easier for you and reject you, hm? Yeah, that would bring you peace, wouldn’t it? No more worry about getting caught talking to me or scanning your surroundings when I move in to kiss you, or anything like that. Fine,” he towered over her once again, snarling, “Suki, I re–”
She slapped her hand over his mouth, “No! Please don’t,” she whimpered, her eyes tearing up. “I’m not doing this to hurt you or Rey. I’m drawn to both of you. I want to get to know both of you.”
“You know Reynard already.”
“You’re right, I do.” Taking in a sharp breath and slowly exhaling, Suki rested her hand behind his neck, “I want to give Rey a chance in a more intimate manner, to date him and get to know him as my mate. I want to do the same with you, too.”
He growled, “This is a ridiculous idea.”
“No,” Suki snapped back, “what’s ridiculous is we experienced the mate bond months ago, and I still know nothing about you. Did you really expect me to just choose you over my best friend, over someone who has loved and cared for me my whole life? Yes, I know Reynard, probably better than I know myself, but I bonded with both of you, and I owe it to myself and both of you to find out why. If you’re not willing to do that, then fine,” she stepped back, “reject away. I won’t do it, so it’ll have to be you to do it.”
Brendan scanned her face, annoyance written all over his expression. “Damn it, fine,” he grunted, hitting a tree in annoyance, almost knocking it down.
“Thank you,” she said, smiling softly. “I would much rather learn about you instead of asking the Alpha about you.”
“You did what?” he exclaimed.
Flinching, Suki crossed her arms and stuttered, “I just wanted to know where you came from and–”
He grabbed her wrist and pulled her close. “What did he tell you?”
“Brendan, you’re hurting me…”
“What did he tell you?!” he roared.
Suki cried out, “Nothing.” Trying to yank her arm away, but failed. “What he told me I pretty much already knew – that you came to the pack when you were 14, you were scared and alone, you needed a home. Zale saw good in you and argued for you to stay, and Alpha Wilder agreed.”
Brendan examined her fearful face. “That’s all?”
She nodded. “That’s all.”
He chuckled, “He left out the best bit.”
Suki’s brows dropped in confusion.
“If I do anything out of line, anything at all that poses me as a danger to the pack, I’m out. Gone.” He pulled Suki closer, grabbing her other wrist. “How do you think the Alpha and Beta wolves of the pack are going to react when they find out the only female child of a high-ranking family is mated to me? They’ll find a way to twist it all and paint me as the villain, make it as if I forced you to be with me, and considering you’re also mated to Mr Perfect, it’s not going to be hard to believe.”
A tear escaped Suki’s eye, but she held a strong face. “Let go of me.”
Brendan released her and stepped back.
She held her wrists, rubbing them slowly to soothe the ache away. “Maybe if you told me why you were banished, or told me something – anything – about you just so I could get to know you better, then I wouldn’t have to ask others who might see you differently than how I do.”
“And how do you see me?”
“I’m trying to work that out, Brendan… Please, work with me here.”
Rubbing his forehead, he exhaled with immense annoyance. “I can’t tell you about my banishment, not yet.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t know if I can trust you yet.”
“I’m your mate!”
He snarled, “That doesn’t warrant instant trust, not for me. Take my word for it, Suki, it’s the people closest to you who end up hurting you the most.”
Suki took his hand and squeezed it. “I want you to trust me. Maybe spending time together will help us gain trust in each other, as well as help us get to know each other better.”
Brendan stepped closer and stroked her cheek with his thumb before cupping her face in his hand. “I can agree to this, just,” he sighed, “give me time.”
“Tell me something, anything, about you,” she pressed her hand on his bare chest, leaning into him, embracing his warmth and scent. “Give me something to feel close to you.”
He sighed, “I go for a run at least once a day. It helps me clear my thoughts when I have a lot on my mind. My favourite time to go is just before sunrise, so I can see the colours of dawn break away as the sky wakes up.”
A soft smile grows on Suki. “That sounds beautiful, thank you.” She leaned into his hand, cradling her face. “What was on your mind today?”
“Baby steps, love. Baby steps.”