Watching Brynlee walk into the pack infirmary is harder than I thought it would be after having her in my arms for a week. I should be in there, holding her and helping her through whatever exams the Doctors have that will bring up the trauma she has gone through thanks to that vile Viren.
“She seems mad with us.” Quincy states as soon as the door closes and Brynlee can no longer hear us.
“Most likely mad at me and annoyed with you.” I add, getting a glare from the red headed wolf.
“I won’t ask what happened but I have an inkling of it considering you both carried each other’s scents when I picked you both up.” Quincy sighs out, his gaze returning to the doors Brynlee disappeared behind.
“For now, we should give her some space.” I growl at Quincy’s words but he is right. Brynlee went through a lot and judging from what my Aunt told us before we attacked Onix Moon, Brynlee will need some time to deal with the aftermath of being kidnapped. Quincy suggests taking me to where I am staying so I can shower and rest before I am shown around the pack and I thank him for the offer.
Truth is, I am exhausted between running away from Pine Moon, instantly rushing into a rescue mission the moments I arrived at Crescent Phoenix, then helping Brynlee through a forced heat while fighting the urge to sink my teeth into her neck and placing my mark on her. I could use some proper sleep now that I no longer need to be the hero.
Hopping into the passenger seat of Quincy’s jeep, the man begins to drive but surprises me as he takes the road leading to the dormitories and not the one that will take me to my Aunt and Uncle’s house.
“You went the wrong way.” I state with confusion. Quincy sighs, giving me an apologetic look and a feeling of unease settles inside me.
“Asteria told me to settle you in the dorms. Gale already had your room set up and you’ll be staying there until we decide your roll in the pack.” He explains.
“Then what about my room at my Aunt’s place?”
“Brynlee will be staying there until she is fully healed. Alpha’s orders and I can’t say no to my Alpha.” For a moment I feel hurt that my Aunt would push me aside, that they would stick me in the dormitories with other wolves. But Brynlee needs them more than I do.
They are the family that took her in and loved her like their own while I was the one that pushed my Aunt and her family away long before I rejected Brynlee. To them, Brynlee is family, more than I have ever been and it will take some time to create a familial bond with them once again. Deciding to push aside my feelings, I accept the decision, albeit reluctantly, and the drive continues in silence.
As soon as we reach the dormitories, Quincy grabs my bag for me before walking me into the building in front of us. I spot many of the wolves from Pine Moon chatting in a lounge area with Crescent Phoenix wolves. Their conversation ends when they spot Quincy and me and without hesitation, they all begin asking about Brynlee. It takes a moment to reassure them that Brynlee is home safe and that Uncle Gale and his pups will take care of her before the group returns to their own conversation.
I am once again amazed at how close knit this pack is. It is different from Pine Moon where we had our separate factions. What amazes me the most is the respect and care they have for Brynlee who – at eighteen years old – is the youngest Beta in the country. This scene reminds me that I really did fuck up when I rejected her. That had we Mated, Pine Moon would be just like Crescent Phoenix and growing stronger each and every day. With a sigh, I look to Quincy who waits patiently for me before the elevator, a knowing look in his eyes as we step inside the machine.
“You really do regret it all.” He mumbles, giving me a small smile.
“I do. It was the biggest mistake of my life.” I agree, getting a sigh from my frenemy.
“Well I hope you know I will be pursuing her.” I bristle at his words but even I can’t say much. I saw the way she ran into his arms. How she cried into his shoulders out of pure relief. Brynlee and Quincy have a connection, I can’t deny that. What I can do is try my best to show her that I am sorry and will love her the way I should have. The mending Mate Bond hum in agreement with me and reminds me that even if Quincy tries to win her heart, Brynlee is my Goddess given Mate. We are meant for one another.
The elevator ride is filled with silence, neither of us feeling the need for small talk. With a small chime of a bell, the doors open and we exit on the fifth floor. Quincy takes the lead, taking me down the all to the last door on the left. For a moment, Quincy fumbles through his pockets until he finds what he is looking for – a set of keys that he hands to me, telling me to do the honor, and so I unlock the door.
The first thing I am greeted with is a small entry way. To the left of the entry way is an arched doorway leading to a small kitchen with a minifridge, sink, two burner stove and counter. It is small with limited storage but it is perfect for someone living alone. Walking past the entry way is a lager room with a double bed, a table with three chairs and a couch facing a television mounted on the wall. Under the television is a small dresser that would be able to hold what little belongings I have left.
“Wow.” I whisper out, shocked once again by the contrast Crescent Phoenix has compared to Pine Moon. The dorms there were just a double bed, a desk and a dresser. If you were hungry, you made your way to the pack house for a meal or you went hungry.
“You like the room?” Quincy asks with the smile, his eyes also scanning my new home.
“I do. Its perfect for a single wolf or even a newly Mated couple.” I admit, getting a chuckle from the other wolf.
“That was the thought in mind.” Walking to the mini fridge, he bends down and grabs two water bottles from inside, throwing me one.
“The design was Brynlee’s idea. She told us about the horrible ones in your old pack and had the construction crew build a couple of dorms with layouts like this.” He continues before taking a sip of his water. My heart twangs as I look around the room again, spying another door by the bed that I soon discover is the bathroom with a shower, sink and toilet. Brynlee really would have been the perfect Luna.
“Anyways, I need to go check in with my wolves. Get some rest and I will see you at the pack house for dinner.” With that, Quincy leaves my new home and I find myself being able to breath. As much as I hate Quincy for attacking me and for being so close with Brynlee, he is a good man. If things had gone differently at Pine Moon and I married Tanya, I could see Brynlee ending up with him. But things changed and I am here. I don’t care if he is my rival in love now because I will do everything I can to win my Brynlee back.