Page 23 of My Unbearable Mate

“I’m sorry,” I said softly. “It all seemed so gross at the time. That I was supposed to conform and be a good little wifey bear to the clan alpha—like it would make me a legit member of the clan because if I was lucky, I’d pop out a magical spawn. Someone who could do for the clan what I couldn’t. Save it. Every time I looked at you, I felt my future, my choices slip away.”

“Fuck,” he said under his breath. It couldn’t have been any easier to hear than it was to say.

“Now I know it wasn’t you. But back then, you were one of them. You were so important to the clan, and I couldn’t believe it when they just let you leave. I thought they’d boot my ass out instead. It didn’t make any sense that I got to stay and you didn’t.”

“Is that what you wanted?” he asked.

“I only knew what I didn’t want. So maybe it was the right decision—not for me, but for you. Looks like you’re doing pretty damn good for yourself. Running your own security firm. I’m proud of you.”

Did the bear blush? There was definitely a little pink in his cheeks. “I’m actually just the interim boss while Barrett’s on his mate moon.”

“Tell me about your life, Bellamy.”

His gaze was absolutely fucking smoldering in a way that made the muscles between my legs pulse.

He leaned forward. “Do you want to be a part of it?”

Chapter

Eleven

Who’s the Lawful Good One Now?

Bellamy

I had no idea what I wanted Clover’s answer to be. Finally getting some insight about what made her push me away all those years ago didn’t exactly give me closure. Did I want to give her another chance? Forgive her for ruining my life?

She didn’t ruin it, my bear pointed out. She said it herself. She saved it.

No matter what her answer was, it could all change when I shared my theory about Shirley.

Clover let out a long, shaky exhale. “I want to do the right thing for the clan.”

I slapped my hand down on the table. “Bullshit. Since when?”

Same old fucking Clover talking out of both sides of her mouth. I should’ve known better than to think she’d changed.

“I thought I was nervous to come see you, but maybe I was just dreading it.” She pushed away from the island. “Thanks for breakfast. And letting me crash in your bed. And that kiss. But I can’t stay here with you and stay sane.”

This woman had some nerve.

Don’t you dare let her go, my bear growled.

I followed her to the door. It didn’t make any logical sense. Before this woman walked into my office this week, I would’ve been happy to never see her again. But now I couldn’t let her go.

She stopped and shook her head. “I don’t even know where my car is.”

It gave me the opportunity to put myself between her and the door. “You’re not running off getting the last word like you always do,” I said as calmly as I could manage. “There’s too much on the line this time.”

She rolled her eyes. “What do you care? You haven’t set foot on clan land in almost fifteen years.”

“Because, like you, I want to do right by them.”

“Of course, Bellamy’s lawful good as always.”

I growled. “How about I show you how bad I can be?”

Her lips parted. “I don’t think you’re actually capable of being bad.”

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