Page 9 of Same Difference
He released the handle of the oversized first aid kit and slid to his knees.
He’d thought he was ready for an Arrangement, but he’d been so wrong. It wasn’t like other werewolves said. It wasn’t fireworks and teamwork or instant connection. It wasn’t instant best friends.
Pairing meant someone would see him. Really see him. He had to be vigilant and he kept everything perfectly in control, and sometimes he wanted time off from it. Since having to leave Coeur d’Alene and quitting his job, and traveling with Delta, he hadn’t had enough time to himself to be himself.
She could’ve just gone with her old Pack and been better off, but she’d made him feel…feel…well, she made himfeelinstead.
He’d asked her what she wanted, and Delta had described a kiss on the cheek, and now he was replaying that moment on a loop, over and over again. Why had she done this to him?
That wasn’t him.
Never had been and never would be.
Chapter Three
Delta had never been so happy to step out of a truck in her life.
Nory and Liam’s property was gorgeous. It was snowing by the time they arrived, and despite the frigid air, she rolled the window down and rested her chin on her arms, staring out the open window.
There were crows in the trees, fluffing up their feathers in the cold, and cawing. There were deer tracks everywhere. The road that led into the center of the property was a one lane dirt road that had clearly become overgrown. Several tire marks lead the way in though, so they found the dilapidated house in the middle of the acreage just fine.
Nory had been right. The cabin was probably a tear-down. From here, Delta could see the roof was sagging on one side, and the right corner of the small home was completely caved in. There had been a wraparound porch on it at one time, but it had all been destroyed by nature or destroyed by man, she couldn’t tell. Twenty yards from the cabin, Nory and Liam had set up a tent and fire pit, and they were both outside waving to them as Nate inched the truck into the snowy clearing.
“Nice forest,” he murmured. He smelled less hurt now, and she was pretty sure his bandages had stopped most of the bleeding.
She didn’t respond.
He cleared his throat. “How do you want to do this?”
“I told you,” she gritted out, giving into the anger that had slowly filled her over the hours of driving in silence. “You’re free.”
“Yeah but…” He studied her through a frown. “We’re still paired. We need to figure out a house.”
“We are nothing, Nate. I will figure out my own house.”
“Wait,” he said, pulling to a stop. “Look, we came back here together. We’re together.”
“No,” she said in the frostiest tone she could muster. Tonight, wherever she laid her head to rest, she would fall apart, and curl into herself, and cry herself to pieces. But now? He didn’t deserve to see how hurt she was. “You are you, and I am me. Figure out your own housing, and I will figure out my life moving forward. We are nothing, Nate.”
“Delta—”
“Hey, Nate? You said earlier that I’m getting exactly what I want by coming back here. You misunderstand me. I’m not here to make you frame your life around mine for whatever it is you think I need. I don’t actually need anything or anyone, and especially someone who would throw me away. I. Deserve. Better.”
Whoo, even she could hear the angry truth in her tone. She didn’t know where she was finding this boldness to say exactly what she wanted to, but she was so glad she was able to. Nate needed to hear it and she needed to be able to say it for closure.
“Delta, you don’t have anything. I can help. I can make you a safe home.”
“You aren’t a safe man for me,” she whispered. “Why would I want a home from you?”
The tears were building again, and this time they were angry tears. She shook her head hard. “You’re off the hook. Go live your life, and I’ll live mine.”
“What does that even mean?”
“I’m building myself up now,” she gritted out. “You aren’t ready for someone like me.”
He looked slapped, and dropped his gaze, and Delta shoved the door open, and settled her sneakers into the snow.
Some of the Pack were here already. Bridger, Tabian, and Vic were standing to the side, Dodger was walking this way from the cabin. Liam was saying something to Vic, but Nory’s worried gaze was on Delta.
