Page 15 of Dante
“Why not? Others have voiced interest in him. We can simply remove the match and pair him with Augustus or Felix. Both would be more than happy to have him as theirs.”
I growled. It probably wasn’t my most shining moment, but what did one do when presented with such a conversation. “I didn’t technically say I didn’t want Banner. I said he deserved better. I wasn’t able to save him or the others. He deserves someone who can save him, protect him.”
Thomas rolled his eyes. “Do you honestly think that you can’t protect a mate?”
“I can now. But then, I couldn’t.”
“Of course not. At that moment in time, you were no more powerful than an oversized puppy dog.” Thomas sighed. “You were outnumbered by at least a dozen, and they had guns. Why is it that you believe that you don’t deserve a mate or to be happy and have a fulfilling life with someone?”
I shook my head. “Banner is sweet. I’ve done things.”
Thomas scoffed. “Haven’t we all. Stop with the excuses. Either you want him, or you don’t. You have about two seconds to make your decision, or I’m going to let my own love of my life choose a different mate for him. It’ll be either Augustus or Felix. You pick.”
I suddenly couldn’t breathe. I bent over, trying to catch my breath. Everything started spinning, and I fell forward, landing on my head. I winced at the pain from the sudden impact before I rolled over. The fall seemed to be what I needed, though, because I could breathe again. When I looked up, it was to see Thomas standing over me, his crystal-blue eyes showing concern.
“Are you all right?”
I sighed. “Doubtful.” I sat up. “I want to say I want Banner, but I think he would be better off with someone else.”
“Ah.” Thomas sat down on my small bed. “Have you considered how you will feel when you see him with someone else? With your packmate? Or the fae enforcer? Will that cause issue with you?” I suddenly felt incredibly sleepy and found myself lying on the small bed. I tried to fight it, but I saw Thomas’s face smiling down at me. “It is absolutely no use,” Thomas said. “You cannot fight what I desire. But I can show you what it would be like when you are presented with them and their happiness every day. You will only be given just a bit longer before what you see will become reality.”
I didn’t know what he was talking about, but I suddenly saw myself back on Treasure Ridge. But I knew I wasn’t actually there somehow. I was walking through the cleared snowy path during the evening, and I could hear laughter. Ahead of me was a gathering of some sort, and then I saw them. Banner was there, but he wasn’t alone. Beside him was a slender, dark-haired man with his arm around him. I knew that person. It was Felix. When he leaned down and kissed Banner, I wanted to go and rip them apart, but I couldn’t seem to move.
When Felix stood up, Banner was smiling up at him. It was then that I noticed Banner’s rounded stomach. Felix placed his hand gently on it, and then the couple walked away. I tried to follow, wanting nothing more than to get to Banner, but I was stuck. I could not move from where I was, and it was irritating my beast.
The vision in front of me darkened, and then I found myself staring at the ceiling of the small cabin I’d magicked in Antarctica. I blinked several times, then felt a sharp pain in the center of my chest. When I reached up and rubbed it, I realized there was nothing there. That didn’t stop the pain though. I sat up and looked around.
I was alone. Thomas was gone. Had he ever been here? Was he telling me he had chosen to pair Banner with Felix instead?Thinking about that, recalling what I’d seen pained my chest again. Was it too late? Had I lost Banner because I’d been too dumb to recognize our connection and claim the omega? I knew what I had to do, but was it too late? I stood, glanced around the cabin, and with a thought, it was gone, leaving me standing in the snowy landscape of Antarctica.
Chapter 6
Banner
“Are you sure we can’t change your mind about leaving?” Lewis asked. Beau was right there beside him, leaning into his friend and co-partner for the bakery.
“I agree. You should stay. I understand why it is that you are considering leaving, but seriously, please reconsider. If you do leave, Dante can’t ever come around and claim you.”
I snorted and rolled my eyes. “He’s made it clear over and over that he doesn’t want me. I sent him a letter, and Augustus said he gave it to him and then disappeared. That was weeks ago. I think it’s safe to say that if he truly did want me, he would have at least come and stared at me or something.” I’d heard from not only these two but Dr. Braun as well that I shouldn’t move. Dr. Braun saw how determined I was though, and he had started working with me to relocate.
I had nowhere in mind, and I wasn’t leaving within the next week or two, but it was definitely happening. Alpha War had been more than willing to welcome me into his den down in Honey Creek, and I’d been giving that some serious consideration. It wasn’t far and wouldn’t be a permanent thing.But as Dr. Braun had pointed out, it might be better if I moved away in stages.
“I’m still deciding,” I told the pair. It was difficult enough dealing with Lewis, but when Beau was here, it always added a different level of…longing. He had a gorgeous mate and a beautiful baby boy. I had a mate who didn’t want me, so I wouldn’t ever be able to have a baby. Eventually, I might be able to adopt a child, but I wasn’t in a position to do that just yet. I sighed. I really wasn’t in a position to be giving birth to one either. Although, if that were the case, in reality I would have the support of a mate.
“You’ve gone somewhere else.”
I blinked and looked at Lewis.
“Yeah, sorry. I was thinking.” I took several deep breaths and was considering telling them that I was most likely only going down off the mountain for a bit before actually moving far away, but the bell chiming over the door indicated we had new customers. I couldn’t stop the smile from my face when I saw Felix. He was so damn sweet, and it was frustrating. Why couldn’t he be who I’d been paired with?
“Hey, Felix,” I said. I glanced at the other fae with him. “Lukan. How are you doing?” I asked, but I was looking at Felix. Lukan was nice enough, but it was Felix whom I’d spent time with and had gotten to know.
“I’m good,” Felix said.
“Yeah, me too,” Lukan said. “Over here,” he added when I didn’t look his way. At that, I turned my focus toward Lukan.
“I said hi,” I told him as I gave him a look.
Lukan sighed. “Yeah, but while looking at Felix.”
