Page 29 of The Return
“I’m sorry,” Corey whispered, reaching for Kinsey’s hand.
He looked at their joined hands, then at Corey. His confusion was obvious. “I thought you were mad at me.”
Corey shook his head, but said nothing.
“You have every right to be. What the Council had me do was pretty shitty. I mean, I get it, and I can’t disagree with their reasoning, but I think a better way could have been found, you know?”
“It’s not that,” Corey insisted, glancing up at Kinsey again. I could see the pain in his expression. It almost seemed as though he was ready to cry. He started to reach out but then drew his hand back.
“It looks ugly, I know. But, hey, it’s okay, honest. The Alpha was stripped of his rank and banished. I heard he died, but who knows? His mate went to a pack in California. Last time we talked, she told me she was happy there. So I chalk it up as a win.” He squeezed Corey’s hand, then drew back. “This is why it’s important for you to understand the world we live in. Wolves can be volatile. Even as humans, we’re usually quick to anger. Alphas, not so much. They’ve got a lot more control than most wolves. Usually.” He peered at me. “Let me tell you, Alpha Brodie is one of the most put-together Alphas I’ve ever known. I think that comes down to you.”
“Me?” Corey asked, his eyes wide. “How?”
“Anyone can be a mate. Look at the woman I guarded. Her husband was a cheating piece of crap, but he was her mate. But a true mate? I think that connection goes far beyond just an occasional bang session. I honestly believe that if they’re true mates, they soothe each other’s rough edges. In your case, I think you temper Alpha Brodie’s wolf, and he gives you something to fight for.” Kinsey grinned. “Why else would you be stupid enough to put your hands on me?”
Through it all, Matt’s eyes darted back and forth, taking in the scene unfurling in front of him.
“You’re not as scary as you think,” Corey told him.
A low rumble started in Kinsey’s throat. “I’ll have you know, I’ve gutted men twice your size. Even Alphas know enough to stay on my good side.”
“And you’re a good boy, aren’t you?” Corey teased. Then he did something I knew would end in broken bones. He reached up and ruffled Kinsey’s dark hair.
Kinsey glanced around the coffee shop, and then his gaze bored into me. “If you ever tell anyone about this, I will make sure they never find your body.”
I laughed and held up my hands. “No one will hear it from me. Good boy.”
He stood and hovered over me. “I hate you.”
“Aw, c’mon. Good boys don’t hate anyone.”
His lip twitched. “You can both be assholes. I think I’m going to like this assignment.”
Matt sat quietly, his blue eyes flicking back and forth.
“Where are you both staying?” I asked.
“Well, it was supposed to be the pack house, but if Corey is refusing to live there, we’ll have to adjust our plans.”
Corey sighed. “I don’t mean to make this much of a fuss, but—”
“You’re right,” I told him. “Your life is here, your business is here. It would be ridiculous to disrupt what you already have in place.”
“Where are you staying, Alpha?” Matt asked.
“With me,” Corey replied before I could say anything. “Not letting him walk away again, lemme tell you.” He sighed. “Listen, we have spare bedrooms. The two of you can stay with us until we can sort something out.”
Matt shook his head. “It’s fine. I can sleep in the car. The backseat is surprisingly comfortable when you’re a wolf.”
“You most certainly will not,” Kinsey snapped. “The man is offering you a place with a bed. You’ll take that.” He shook his head. “Sleeping in the car. That’s ridiculous.”
It was good to see Kinsey had a heart underneath all that gruffness. It made me feel better about having him watching over my mate.
CHAPTER9
COREY
The next morning,I sat at my desk and started to go through the website Jonas had given me and found a woman in town who made pillows, down comforters, and the like. As I scrolled through the pages, it struck me. It was like another door opened I didn’t even know had been closed. The site was filled with colorful creations the people in town were sharing with everyone else. I found hammered-metal wind chimes that I’d seen in town, but never knew where they came from. There were also the most dazzling paintings, books written by people I knew, and blown glass works. I saw myself spending way too much time and money here.
