Page 19 of Purrfectly Kissed

His Bear did not like challenges, but he recognized power in the old male, and he appreciated him using it on behalf of Jessica. Uzzi Stregovich was a magical matchmaker unparalleled in the supernatural world. His reputation preceded him, but Brayden was pleased to know he was a good man on top of that. He nodded at the old Witch before following Jessica’s path to the other room.

The female was walking towards him, having finished with the restroom, or so he assumed. She smiled, and he gestured in front of him. Together, they made it to the kitchen, but the place was packed with Tigers.

Brayden didn’t want to have this discussion in front of an audience. He made sure to make eye contact with Jessica, then nodded towards the front of the house. After a minute, she followed him onto the nearly empty porch.

Fucking pussies.

His Bear chuffed. The animal could really get used to Uncle Uzzi’s nickname for his fellow Pride mates. Rubbing a big hand along the back of his neck, he turned his head from side to side, looking for a more private spot. Brayden wanted to be alone when he said what he had to say.

“So, where do you want to go?” Jessica asked shyly.

Her cheeks were a pretty shade of pink, and her breath was coming out in little white puffs. Frowning, he realized he’d dragged her outside with no coat.

“Uh, are you cold?”

“No, I’m not cold,” she replied.

Jessica raised her eyebrows, waiting for him to answer her first question.

“I know Uncle Uzzi seems to think we could be a couple, but uh, I have a past, Jessica.”

“I know. I’m so sorry, Brayden,” she replied.

There was so much sympathy clear on her face, his chest squeezed.

The female was always so sweet and kind. She was young and green, full of sunshine and life, like the promise of a spring day in the dead of winter.

Brayden was going to hurt her. His heart too closed off, his soul too broken. If he claimed her as his Bear wanted to, chances were he was going to ruin it. He knew it, and it was killing him.

The truth was Jessica Maverick deserved so much better than a broken Bear like him.

“Look, Jess, I was only going to talk to Uncle Uzzi because Hunter ordered it. I wasn’t looking for a mate. I can’t do permanent. It’s not you---”

“Oh, uh, I see.”

Jessica’s voice went brittle and her spine ramrod straight.

“You don’t have to explain yourself, Brayden, I understand. I know I’m not what most Shifters see as a desirable mate. And I don’t blame you. Not really, but uh, if you could just excuse me,” she said, and moved to go around him.

Brayden held his arms wide, preventing her from leaving. He needed to explain to her that she’d gotten it all wrong. There was not a fucking thing wrong with the woman! Didn’t she know that?

Grrrr.

His Bear tore into him, and he allowed it. Brayden deserved to feel the pain inflicted by his angry beast. Even when he tried not to, he’d fucked up and hurt her anyway.

This was not how he’d planned for this conversation to go. He was simply going to---

You were going to what? Tell our mate she was not what we wanted?

His Bear pushed the words into his head, roaring his fury inside his mind. The animal clawed at his insides, enraged with him for fucking this up.

“Get out of my way,” she said, refusing to look at him.

“Just give me a second, please, Jess. That is not what I meant to say.”

“I know you were already mated, Brayden. I heard the story, and you have my deepest apologies,” she said, eyes brimming with tears.

“Maybe you’ve found your true love once, and don’t believe it can happen again. I get that. I really do, and look, I am sorry if Uncle Uzzi put you in an awkward situation---”

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