Page 43 of Unbreakable Bond
“That’s the heat.” Hegrowled.
“No. It’s not.” Zoey stopped walking and shook her head at him sadly, “The heats waned. It pushed us together but it’s not what’s keeping me here. I’m here because this is where I’m supposed to be. This is where I want to be. He’s who I want to be with. He’s who I wasmeantto bewith.”
She meant every word. Rafe was hers. She was his. Their wolves would bond tonight and the circle would be complete, just the way fate intended it. Whatever thoughts she may have had about fighting it when she first found out, whatever confusion she’d felt when she spontaneously developed feelings for Rafe that outweighed years of what she felt for Michael, she knew there was no going back. And she didn’t wantto.
She finally belonged and it was withRafe.
“You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into.” Michaelargued.
“Look, I know you’re still trying to protect mebut…”
“No. It’s my turn to say something.” He turned her around by the shoulders until she was facing the cabin, until she could see Rafe standing on the edge of the porch watching them. His shoulders were tense and his eyes were narrowed and she could see him scowling even from here, probably because Michael was touching her. Michael continued, “You think his bossy, protective stance is what… hot right now? It’s hot that he wants you this much. But it’ll get old, Zo. You can’t stand being micromanaged and he’s going to try and control your everymove.”
She pulled away from Michael’s hands, “He’s my mate. Of course he’s going to beprotective.”
“It’s more than that. After what happened to our parents, to Gabe… he’s never going to be comfortable letting you out of hissight.”
Zoey’s heart squeezed at the reminder of all her mate had lost, of all her friend had lost, and just why it was so important for them to find a way to come back together, if not as pack, then as family, “I know he’s had a rough time but I think… I think that’s part of the reason fate put us together. For this. To bring him home and keep him here. To help you two fixthings.”
“You can’t fix him,Zo.”
She turned back to face her friend, “I cantry.”
“He’s feral. His wolf isuncontrollable.”
Her jaw clenched, “He controlled his wolf last night. He’s in control with me. The bond, ithelps.”
Michael’s throat bobbed and she knew he was swallowing something he wanted to say. Something that would likely piss her off. She knew him well but he knew her too. This wasn’t a fight he could win. It was already done. It was time to move on… for both ofthem.
He finally sighed, “Just don’t get your hopes up,okay?”
She narrowed her eyes at that, wanting to tell him, again, that Rafe would never hurt her. Instead, she did the same thing he’d done. She swallowed back the argument. Instead, she turned and started walking again and only once she felt him fall into step beside her did she try to lighten themood.
“I think what you’re meaning to say is, ‘wow, look at that, I was right all along. You’re my sister now and I’m so happy that you and my brother are going to build a life here in Noir where we can all be together.’Right?”
Michael barked a laugh and Zoey smiled. That was a laugh she’d heard all her laugh. Michael had always been quick to it, at least with her. He was serious with the rest of the pack, with the rest of the world, but he was just Michael with her. Maybe because somewhere deep inside they’d always known they were family. Rafe’s laugh sounded a lot like Michael’s only rougher, like it had never been used. But maybe she could change thattoo.
They walked in silence for a bit before she brought up the real problem at hand, “We’re not goinganywhere.”
Michael groaned, “Zo…”
“He meant what he said.” She cut him off quickly, “He doesn’t want to run away with me. He wants to finally come home. This is hishome.”
“Zo, two Alphas on the same land, even if he wants to stay… it’s a badidea.”
“You really think your wolves will have that much of a problem sharingspace?”
“Well they certainly didn’t like the idea of sharingyou, didthey?”
She snorted, “It’s different now. Rafe and I aremated.”
“It is different now.” Michael conceded, “You’re not pack anymore.” He must have seen her wince because he sighed, “I’m not saying that to hurt you. It’s just the truth. You’re Rafe’s now. You belong with him. Fine. But neither of you are Moiraepack.”
“Hey.” She grabbed his arm and pulled him to a stop, “I’m Moirae pack. I’ll always be Moirae pack. And Rafe’s your brother. So ishe.”
“But...”
“You heard him. We’re not starting our own pack. He never wanted to be Pack Alpha. If he did, he’d have stayed instead of giving it to you and leaving. He’d have fought for it when he came back. He doesn’t want to be Alpha of apack.”
