Page 86 of Rule

“That must have been so difficult for bothof you,” I said. “I’m sorry you went through that.”

“She kept putting off the mating ritual,said that we would do it later, but she did not mean it,” Bran said. “After Courtleft, she wanted to go ahead with the ritual to mate us, but I,” he paused, histhroat working hard to swallow, “I could not do it. It made her angry, she wasalready pregnant with Bella by then, but I could not force myself to do theritual.”

I kissed his arm again and made a softsoothing sound under my breath. “It isn’t your fault, Bran.”

“It is,” he said. “It is my fault. Danaleft because of me.”

“I doubt that,” I said. “Court was justangry and didn’t mean -”

“She left because I could no longer pleaseher in bed,” Bran blurted out.

“What do you mean?” I honestly couldn’teven picture a woman not having an orgasm when Bran was in bed with her. Hehad to mean something else.

“A few weeks after Court moved out, I couldno longer,” he stared at his crotch, “maintain an erection when I was withDana. Eventually I could not grow hard at all, even when Dana used her mouthand hands. She was angry and upset with me, but I did not know why it washappening.”

He gave me an embarrassed look. “She thoughtit was because she was growing larger with Bella. I let her believe it, eventhough it had nothing to do with that. She was even more beautiful with mychild growing inside of her. But after she gave birth, I still could not getan erection. A moon after Bella was born, Dana returned to Earth. I beggedher not to go, told her that Bella needed her, and I needed her too, but shesaid that she could not live with a man who could not fuck her.”

My mouth dropped open and I stared insilent shock at Bran. He was staring at the floor, his fingers drumming out anervous beat on one thick thigh. “Dana left because I could not please her inbed. Court is right. It is my fault that Bella has grown up without a mother.”

I cupped his face and made him look at me. “No.That isn’t true, Bran.”

“It is,” he said miserably.

“It isn’t.” My voice was firm. “Bran, no womanwho wanted to be a mother would leave her child because her mate couldn’t havesex with her. Do you hear me?”

“She said that was the reason.”

“She was lying to you. Look, I don’t know thisDana woman at all, but she sounds like a real asshole. I’m not surprised youcouldn’t get an erection after all the ways she screwed you over. You stoppedbeing attracted to her because she was horrible to you and to Court. You andCourt made it clear to her that you guys were a package deal, right? That youwanted to share a mate?”

Bran nodded. “Yes. Court and I used to goto Earth to…”

I smiled at him. “It’s fine. I’m notgonna judge you for coming to Earth to get laid.”

“We met Dana at one of your bars and spent thenight with her. Over the next few moons, we returned often to spend time withher. We were honest with her about sharing a female and that we wished to haveone mate between us. She said she was fine with that.”

“But she lied,” I said.

He nodded and I squeezed his arm. “Itsounds like she lied about a lot of things, honey. If she truly wanted a child,she would never have left Bella, even if you and her never had sex again.”

Bran studied my face. “Do you mean that?”

“Yes,” I said. “I know I don’t havechildren yet, but I couldn’t imagine leaving them for anything. Dana was aselfish liar who didn’t care who she hurt. What happened was entirely her fault.Not yours or Court’s. She should have been honest with you from the beginningand she wasn’t. That isn’t your fault.”

He was still staring at me like he didn’t believeme. I cupped his face and pressed a kiss against his mouth. “She was a fool,Bran. If I belonged to you and Court, I would love you both equally. You areboth amazing, and I would be happy to carry yours and Court’s children.”

I kissed him again, staring into his darkbrown eyes. “It wasn’t your fault.”

“Evie is right.”

I made a startled gasp and Bran’s tail thumpedagainst the mattress. Court was standing in the doorway and Bran said, “Howmuch did you hear?”

Court stepped into the room, looking a littleuncertain. “Why did you not tell me any of this before?”

“Because I chose Dana over you, and I couldnot expect you to understand or sympathize with me,” Bran said.

I held out my hand and Court joined us,easing down onto the bed beside me. I took both their hands and held them inmy lap as Bran sighed. “I should never have chosen Dana over you, and I willnever forgive myself for doing so.”

“You should have chosen her,” Court said. “Sheis Bella’s mother and you were right to try and make her happy.”

---