Page 19 of Drown My Sorrow

“Let’s go find your alphas.”

I scan his face, searching for any sign of anger or annoyance, but Keagan just reaches out and brushes my hair back, revealing my scar. I immediately cover my cheek again and bat at his hands.

“Coming or not?”

I limp after him, grabbing my cane, and following close on his heel as we leave my home.

He slows down, they always do. We all know they could leave me in the dust, but they never do, and I love them for it.

Keagan lifts his head and inhales as a breeze hits us. It’s the only time he looks truly at peace; when he’s away from people.

I know he had a tough time growing up. Like me, he was left by his parents. He was left when he was really young, though, and spent a long time alone. I didn’t last very long on my own at all.

I’m not sure where Shale and Beau are, but they will turn up or not. I used to worry they would get sick of me and just leave, but, so far, they have stayed. Always making sure one of them is with me. Other than the times I’ve pushed them away.

“Keagan?”

“Yes?”

“Do you think Kelly’s going to say something bad?”

Keagan stops, tilts his head back, and lets out a roar that has me bouncing away from him and wincing as my leg twinges.

I avert my eyes when he turns towards me and look at the ground.

“What have we been telling you all morning, Aspyn?”

“You’ll take care of it,” I whisper.

“If he says one word to hurt your feelings, I’m going to feed him my fist. Hear me, please.”

I nod my head, my cheeks all hot again.

“Okay, let’s go.”

I start limping, but my sudden movement has made it ache. Keagan, like it’s a sixth sense of his, turns towards me, frowning. He sweeps me up before I can protest and walks us into town.

“When are you going to let me buy you a car?”

“It’s good exercise to walk!” I squeak.

“You could put on some weight and still be light as a feather.”

I stare at his beautiful face in silence.

“I don’t like making you sad, Keagan.”

“You don’t make me sad. You make me so happy just knowing you exist.”

“I-”

“Hey, Keagan, you owe us a rematch!”

“Fuck off!” Keagan growls without even looking at Tully and Nord. They are two happy guys who moved to the island in their twenties and have spent the last thirty years baking here.

My guys hate everyone but each other, me, and, by extension, Nat. They tolerate the rest of the island.

We get down to the beach, and Keagan stops under the palms, letting me slide down his body, and then wrapping himself around me from behind.

---