JIM…
Nothing smelled better than pizza in vast quantities. Well, not true. Any food in vast quantities smelled amazing. My stomach growled again, and I pushed aside the thought of stopping for another slice.
Stop thinking about eating that pizza, and get over here to help me talk some sense into Henry.
I looked around the boxes and saw Grey and Henry still in the parking lot.
Why? I sent back. What’s he doing now?
As soon as he saw Olivia, he felt the pull. We noted his interest, but he’s telling me he doesn’t want it.
Instead of relief, joy, or pride—emotions the rest of the Elders probably felt—pity wormed its way into my head. This was the worst possible time to find a Mate.
His mom just died, Grey.
I know. That’s what I’m trying to tell him, but he doesn’t believe his grief is the problem. He believes it’s the girl.
Maybe he’s right then. I’ve never known a truly interested male to walk away.
You didn’t see them together. He didn’t notice anything but her. And there was plenty more to notice. Hurry up with those pizzas so you can help Winifred stitch up Clay. His guts keep poking out. It might help control your appetite long enough for the rest of us to eat our fill.
Nothing can control my appetite. Believe me…Mom tried.
I stepped up next to the SUV and purposely bumped into Henry.
“Take a slice out of this top box and feed me a bite, will you?”
The lid hit the top of my head. It disappeared at the same time Henry groaned.
“This is really good. I could eat a whole box myself,” he said.
Does that sound like a man overwhelmed by the pull? I sent Grey as he led the way inside.
The stink of chlorine overpowered the beautiful scent of baked cheese and meat. I sniffed, trying to get the good smell back. Didn’t work. My eyes watered, and I breathed through my mouth to ease the burn in my sinuses.
“Set the pizzas in here,” Mom called.
I followed the sound of her voice, taking a few blind steps into the hotel room.
“I got those,” Emmitt said, taking half the stack from me.
With the top half gone, I glanced around the room. Clay lay on one of the beds, towels shoved under him to catch any bloody runoff from the gashes across his middle. Gabby sat near the headboard, cradling his head in her lap and stroking his hair while Winifred stitched him. No doubt it hurt, but the man looked like he didn’t mind the extra attention he’d gained because of his injuries.
Michelle sat on the bed, out of the way, next to Dad. Mom stood beside Winifred, handing her whatever supplies she needed from her homemade first aid kit.
“Want a piece of pizza while you’re pampered?” I asked Clay.
His beard twitched, and he shook his head slightly.
“Set the rest over here,” Emmitt said, motioning to the dresser next to the table, which he already had covered with pizza boxes.
Grey, still in the hall with Henry and the bags, nudged me aside. I half-turned to tell Henry to grab two boxes for us to take to our room but froze. Words escaped me.
Just inside the door, only a few feet away, stood a white-haired goddess. Her black eyes pinned me, staring into my soul as if determining my worth. And, I desperately wanted to be worthy.
The pizza boxes fell to the floor at the first wild tug in my gut. I inhaled, long and loud. She smelled like Winifred’s fresh baked chocolate chip cookies. I couldn’t think of a better smell on the planet no matter the quantity.
I took a step toward her, wanting to inhale every ounce of her scent. Realization kicked me between the eyes. Mate.
No. It couldn’t. I couldn’t. I’d taken the oath.
Pain exploded in my chest, making it impossible to breathe. The pain didn’t dull my awe and need. After Emmitt found Michelle, I’d been sure I would never have a chance. Fate didn’t work like that. Not twice in one family. But there was no denying what I felt as I stared at Olivia. She was my fated Mate. And I wanted her with every fiber of my being.
The pain clenched harder, like a physical fist around my heart.
I staggered back a step, and another, then collapsed to my knees.
“Jim, no!” Winifred yelled.
Mom started to cry.
I’d just sentenced myself to death.
OLIVIA…
He is the one, the Lady whispered.
“An Elder?” I asked softly, trying not to let any hint of what I wanted to feel surface.
Yes. Son of Strength and imbued with strength. You must not fail.
I watched the man fall to his knees with a sinking feeling in my stomach. If Bethi had disliked the Lady before, she’d hate her now. They all would when they finally understood what this meant.
WINIFRED…
I left the needle in Clay and rushed to Jim. Taking his face in my hands, I forced his gaze to mine.
The pain is telling you that you’re trying to make the wrong choice, I sent him.
How can you know? She smells right. I have no doubt she’s the one.
She might have been before you were an Elder. Not now. She’s Claimed Blake, Jim. We need you. You need to stop.
How do I stop wanting her? he sent not just to me, but Sam and Grey too, proving just how unfocused he was right then.
I stroked my fingers along Jim’s face, sorrow engulfing me. We never should have made him an Elder. How many different types of losses would our race need to suffer? I thought.
You tell yourself every single second of every single day you can’t have her, Sam’s voice cut in. It’s what I do. It keeps the pain at bay.
I looked up and met Sam’s gaze, the pull stirring in my stomach like it always did when I looked at him.
It doesn’t get easier, but I would have done anything to spare Winifred the pain she felt when she saw me. Even to make sure she didn’t have to endure it alone.
The tension in Jim’s clenched jaw and corded neck eased fractionally. From the corner of my eye, I saw Charlene lead Olivia from the room and Grey move to finish with Clay.
We need you, Jim. Blake will not leave these girls alone. He’s waiting, biding his time. He will try again.
Jim closed his eyes, and his breathing slowed. I knew he was fighting to contain what he was feeling for Olivia. Sam and I shared another look. It wouldn’t be easy. Sam hadn’t lied. Even after all these years, it was hard to be so near him.
“I’ll be fine,” Jim said in a rough voice. However, when he opened his eyes, his gaze immediately went to the place where Olivia had stood.
“Come on,” I said, lifting him to his feet. “Let’s get you some pizza.”
“I’m not hungry.”
My stomach twisted with worry. Jim was never not hungry. Since the moment Charlene had given birth, he’d needed to be fed often and a lot.
“Then come sit on the bed.”
He did as I suggested. Thomas watched him closely, worry etching his features. We both knew the risks. If Jim continued to think of Olivia as his Mate instead of an extended member of the pack he needed to protect, he would die.