In the end, Patrick acknowledged Harry’s words.
“Besides this, we need to carefully consider something, Patrick,” Harry said angrily. “We must figure out a way to make sure Shirley doesn’t stay here. You need to make a decision.”
Patrick took a deep breath, feeling as though he could faintly sense the touch and warmth from when his hand had met Emma’s that morning, almost as if it weren’t real, but it seemed somewhat helpful.
That warmth allowed him to start thinking calmly and objectively. He was right. Alpha couldn’t evade his responsibility, no matter how difficult. This was what he should do.
He sat down, staring at his own expressionless face on the computer screen.
“I really want to do this. But it seems like there isn’t a valid reason. I’ve maintained a sexual relationship with her for nearly two years, and Jennifer facilitated this.”
Harry’s face contorted in annoyance.
“It only needs a word from you. You are the alpha here.”
“I know. You’ve told me already.”
He rolled his eyes and tightened his jaw.
He knew how much Harry detested Shirley. Harry loathed Shirley because she had clashed with him before, disdainfully stating, “No matter how much Patrick uses you, you’ll always be a beta, a powerless clown.” Even now, Harry would feel immense anger when he recalled Shirley’s damned face.
It wasn’t just Shirley’s ignorant remarks, but also a kind of anger at his loyalty being insulted. He chose to uphold his duty out of loyalty and promise, not like her, a despicable woman trying to gain power and wealth by climbing into an alpha’s bed. He didn’t care if he wasn’t in the seat of power; he only submitted to Patrick.
Patrick was his alpha. He would never be fickle like Shirley, and for her to dare compare him to herself, to see him as someone who would betray his alpha, he couldn’t accept this insult.
“I shouldn’t have lost my temper. I’m sorry, I just don’t like her,” Harry muttered, looking at his knees.
“I know, I’m not angry. You’re doing this for me.”
Harry looked up at Patrick. “If you like Emma and Nicola approves of her, then she’ll be my friend. With my loyalty, I swear I will protect her, just like I protect you.”
Patrick smiled, “I’m lucky to have you as my friend, Harry. I love you. You are my family.”
Harry shrugged, “Hopefully, you’ll think the same when your wolf returns.”
“Now, let’s talk business. We need to consider the possible consequences,” Patrick got straight to the point. “Shirley knows about my condition and she knows I still need a sexual partner.”
“The drug research is ongoing, you can wait, there will be news in three months. It won’t stay the same.”
“I’m afraid that even after three months, I’ll still end up in a situation where I have to turn to her, that would be the worst.”
Harry gazed at him, “That wouldn’t be the worst. The worst would be when you have no remaining reason, only the instinct of desire to vent the accumulated hormones. If she manages to get pregnant with your pup, then Luna will belong to her. You need to avoid this situation.”
“… Goddess. That truly would be the worst.” He covered his head.
“You should have blocked her earlier. Even when Jennifer tried to bring Shirley in, you should have stopped her. But you didn’t, you condoned this behavior, so Jennifer feels Shirley has hope. You should bear the primary responsibility for this.”
“You’re right,” he muttered. “I should have considered it earlier. Why the hell didn’t I?”
“You should have told me earlier,” Harry grumbled discontentedly, “why does every alpha need a beta? I’m just here to do this. But it’s not too late now.”
Patrick nodded slightly, then took a deep breath.
He couldn’t concentrate now, his mind was blank, he was trying to quickly rid himself of Shirley and Jennifer’s suffocating control. He glanced at the clock on the wall. Every second now was tormenting him, he urgently wished for Emma to come back and have a meal with him, to smell her scent, to hold her hand.
But she wasn’t coming back until tomorrow night. He wondered where she had gone, and later he would go to the bakery to ask Rory about Emma’s whereabouts.
He found he couldn’t stop missing Emma. She was the only source of water for his thirsty soul, a flower blooming on his withered soul. Only she could save his dying reason and emotions.
He needed her.
“Emma isn’t coming back tonight, I need to ask Rory where she went,” Patrick stood up, now planning to go to the bakery.
Harry also stood up, “You’re a bit too focused on her. She needs freedom now, you can’t lock her up in front of you like a prisoner, it’s not healthy.”
Screw healthy, right now he only needed everything about Emma. He wanted to hold her, to take her away against all odds, that was the only important thing right now.
They drove to the bakery, but something seemed different from usual, Patrick realized. He didn’t see Rory.
Only Rory’s sister was standing at the counter, lost in thought. This wasn’t right. How could Rory not be in the store?
“Long time no see, alpha,” Rother looked surprised to see them walk in, “and Harry too. You both came together.”
Harry didn’t expect it to be Rother. He knew about Rory and Patrick’s conflict in the past, but he resisted his curiosity, deciding this matter could be asked about later. Finding Emma was more important at the moment.
Patrick kept looking past her, wanting to know where Rory had gone. He wasn’t in the kitchen. Normally, he would be there toasting bread, while Emma would be at the front, handling the cashier and making coffee, but now they were both absent.
Had Rory taken Emma away? The thought lingered in his mind. He felt his heart start to beat violently; he couldn’t allow Rory to spend time with Emma without his consent!
“He’s off today,” Rother said slowly, “as is Emma. They’ve gone on a short trip for the weekend.”
His heart stopped beating.
“A short trip?” He forced his vocal cords to produce sound, his brain issuing angry commands, he couldn’t breathe. “Are they on a date?”
Rother thought for a moment and answered, “Maybe. But you’ll need to confirm that with them. I don’t know their situation, I’m just here to help out in the store for two days.”
“Where have they gone?” he almost shouted.
“To a small snowy mountain. Through a forest, should be south, I forgot what it’s called. Rory used to love going there, he said it had the most beautiful sunsets. He even took a tent with him. Are you going too?”