The door to my office slams open and Caspian storms in, plunking himself into the chair in front of my desk and pulling me away from my thoughts of Brynlee and that day a week ago. I was shocked that he was here, figuring we would only talk if it were about his Beta training.
“I thought we weren’t on speaking terms?” I ask as I watch my friend runs a hand through his hair. I can feel the anger and hurt radiating off him and I have a feeling what might have happened to make him choose to come to my office.
“We aren’t. But this is the only place my parents won’t bother me.” He answers back, pulling out his phone. I say nothing, knowing the situation Caspian is in with his parents and how they are trying to force him into claiming some random she-wolf as a Mate instead of allowing him to search for her himself. Its an argument that I have witnessed myself many times since he turned eighteen. At one point Caspian had confided in me that he hoped Brynlee would be his Mate to shut his parents up, but the Goddess seems to have wanted to play a cruel joke with the three of us.
Part of me wished Brynlee had ended up as Caspian’s Mates. That this whole situation with the two of us never happened. Part of me is also pissed that Caspian decided to use my office as his hide away and interrupt me as I was just about ready to jerk off to the memory of taking my Mate’s virginity. The only reason I haven’t throttled him for disrupting me during work hours is because he is Brynlee’s sworn brother. If I have any chance of finding my Mate to see if she is safe and sound then it is through him.
Deciding I need to get my mind set straight, I try to focus on the report I was reading before my mind wandered to seven nights ago. Silence has already settled between Caspian and I and was only broken when I let out a groan or frustration when I realize that I spent over five thousand dollars just to get the results in front of me.
“What are you working on?” Caspian asks, making me debate on whether or not I should tell him. He stares at me with a curious gaze, no anger or hatred directed at me, and this makes me decide I can trust him.
“Finding Brynlee.” I finally answer. Telling him that I want to find Brynlee wont hurt. Maybe, just maybe, he might help me considering he must be worried about her too. His curious gaze changes to one of shock and dumbfoundedness and I have a feeling that he must think I am a moron. Part of me half expects Caspian to yell at me, to say that Brynlee won’t take me back with how I hurt her both physically and emotionally and I know I deserve it, but he surprises me by shaking his head and heaving a sigh.
“Good luck. Her number doesn’t work anymore.” He states with a shrug, turning to look back at his phone. I sigh, returning to focus on the report. The Private investigator found nothing. Her bank account was emptied out two days after she was banished and the Lawyer that her parents hired for Brynlee to claim her inheritance upon their death refused to answer any questions I have about her.
I know deep down Brynlee does not want to be found by anyone but I have to try. I regret what happened last week and need to make it up to Brynlee in some way. Even if it is by sending her an apology letter and explain why I did what I did. She would understand that I am protecting Pine Moon. She would be angry that I never told her the truth of why Tanya came to Pine Moon. Mad that I kept the engagement hidden for so long, but she would then get over it. She would take time for herself, move on and find happiness with someone else.
The broken bond shocks me with pain at the thought of Brynlee being with another, but it needs to happen. I will be mated to Tanya soon and the bond will be gone for good. I just hope that when I leave my mark on Tanya that Brynlee does not feel the pain too hard.
“Your wounds haven’t healed yet?” Caspian asks, pulling me from my thoughts. I sigh and close the report as nothing in there will give me any clue to where Brynlee might have gone. Subconsciously I lightly touching the four claw marks that scar my face starting from my right temple and cutting across diagonally to the left side of my jay. They are a physical reminder of the pain I caused Brynlee.
“No. I don’t think they will go away either.” I admit, giving Caspian a sad smile.
“Good. If Brynlee has to bear the same mark of a Mate Beater, then I am glad she left a-”
“She won’t bear the mark.” I cut Caspian off, glaring at him. How dare he state Brynlee would bear the mark I bore for hurting her.
“What?” He sits up as he stares at me in shock, his phone now in his lap as I capture his full attention. I guess he didn’t know this information either. Maybe we need to spread it to wolves our age in the pack.
“Before my Aunt left, I asked her why Brynlee never got the mark of a Mate Beater.” I begin explaining, running my hands through my hair. It has gotten greasy, a reminder that since Brynlee left, I haven’t been taking care of myself properly.
“It’s because she attacked me after I rejected her and the Mate Bond was broken. I got the mark because I hurt her while the Mate Bond was still strong.” I continue, watching Caspian open and close his mouth in confusion. I can tell he is trying to wrap his mind around this information and it is amusing to watch.
“So Brynlee doesn’t have the mark, but you do?” He asks.
“Yes. That and I think the scars she left me is the Goddess’ way of punishing me. It seems like they won’t disappear until Brynlee forgive me.” I end the conversation after this, telling Caspian I have work to do. He says nothing and the room returns to an awkward silence, only the tapping of my keyboard and the sounds of Caspian on his phone fills the room.
I can’t tell anyone this, but I am glad Brynlee won’t bear the mark of a Mate Beater. She doesn’t deserve that mark like I do. I betrayed her in order to marry a woman that holds the life of Pine Moon in her hands. I just hope that one day she can forgive me for lying to and hurting her.