Page 30 of Claimed by the Pack

“Ridge. What's up?”

“Hey Will. I'm sorry to bother you. Can we talk for a minute?”

“Sure. Let me grab my shirt, I'll be right out.” He left me standing on the porch and went inside. He was back quickly with a shirt and slippers on. He lit a cigarette and offered me one.

“No thanks. Will, I have a problem. I don't know what to do about it. I want to do things the right way, and I want to respect my alphas...”

“This is about the girl?”

“Yes. I can't stop thinking about her, Will. How can I just walk away when I know she's my mate?”

Will gave me a sympathetic look and said, “You know, if you'd gone about this the right way in the first place, none of us would have asked you to walk away from her.”

“I know, and I'm sorry about what I did. I can't explain it, but it's in my DNA, Will...the old ways. Plus, it's what I grew up with. I know that you and Chelsea and the others have your own set of rules and I am doing my level best to respect those rules, I promise you, I am...but I feel like this is killing me.”

“Even if I was able to put in a word for you, how do you know the girl would still want anything to do with you...or that we could trust her not to rally the islanders to get us thrown out of here.”

“She's had three weeks, Will. If she was going to expose us, she's had ample time to do that.”

“You don't think her fear of Chelsea's warning had anything to do with her not saying anything?”

“I don't know, maybe. But, if she really wanted to give us up, she could have done it and just asked for protection from the police or something...I don't think she wants to. As far as her wanting me, she still does. Please don't ask me how I know that, but I do. If I have to live on this small island with her, you know I'll eventually run into her again and what if that happens after she settles for someone else? I would like to promise you I could control myself, but I don't think I can do that either.”

Will sighed. “All I can tell you, Ridge, is that I'll talk to the others. I can't promise anything though. Exactly how are you proposing to go about it this time?”

“I'll start over. I'll do it right. I'll take her out and court her just like the humans do...whatever I have to do, Will. I just have to see her.”

Will nodded. He understood. I see how much he loves Chelsea, and the others. They all loved her so much they were willing to share their lives with her, and their children. I don't think I could do that, but I don't judge them for it. That was all I wanted, a chance to not be judged for who I chose as a mate. I had to have Chelsea...one way or the other.

* * *

Will toldme to go home and wait for him to confer with the others. It was hard, especially knowing Cheyenne was out with Chase...but, I did it.

I paced.

I drank a beer.

I paced again.

I drank another beer.

When the knock finally came at my door, I'd been so distracted I hadn't even heard or smelled anyone approaching. I ripped it open and found Chase on my doorstep.

“You,” I said, through gritted teeth.

“Calm down,” he said. “I'm sure you've talked to Gray. All we did was talk and have a cup of coffee together.”

“Why?”

“Can I come in?”

“No. Why were you with Cheyenne?”

“Never mind. If you're not going to be reasonable...” He turned and started to leave. I was usually the dominant one between Chase and I. His sudden...assertiveness surprised me.

“Fine. Come in.”

He smiled and brushed past me. He wrinkled his nose once he was inside and said, “Did you get a dog?”

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