When He's An Alpha (The Olympus Pride #2) - Suzanne Wright Page 0,82
rush to try imprinting again.”
“You loved her,” said Havana, her voice quiet.
“I thought I did back then. I thought we had a future. I was wrong on both counts. Just as I was wrong to believe she loved me. She couldn’t have, considering all the promises she made meant nothing. Feeling the imprint threads snap … It was a nightmare. Waves of pain or strong emotions would strike me at random times. There were headaches and short periods of depression. It was like being on an emotional seesaw.
“In sum, all my issues about mating blocked the frequency of our bond.”
“And now, just like that, you’re no longer so averse to finding your mate?” she asked, clearly skeptical.
“It was the bond I was reluctant to accept, not you. Never you. Once I realized that you’re mine, my hang ups just lost their power. Because I would rather have you and take the chance that it could all go wrong than give you up again—I don’t have it in me to do it a second time.”
Havana felt those words worm their way inside her and burrow deep. When he’d said he wanted to talk, she hadn’t imagined he’d claim they were mates. She didn’t feel the tug of the mating bond. And although that didn’t mean he was wrong, it also made her reluctant to believe he was right, despite his claim seeming to settle something inside her.
“I wish it hadn’t taken you getting shot to open my eyes. What happened today … the thought that I’d fucked around, wasted time, and could have lost you before I’d even had the chance to claim you … it was the kick in the gut I needed but wish I hadn’t had, because I hate that you almost died.” He snaked his arms around her. “I failed you by letting my issues jam our bond. I won’t let you down like that again.”
She swallowed. “How is your cat feeling about all this?”
“He’s on the same page as me. He wants no one but you. Before, I couldn’t have guaranteed he’d always feel that way, which was why I gave you up. But now that I know you and I are mates, I can tell you for certain he’ll never let you go.” His arms contracted around her. “And neither will I.”
They both stilled when his cell began to ring.
Tate fished it out of his pocket. “I need to take this,” he told her. He swiped his thumb over the screen and said, “Tell me you have good news, River.” His eyes went hard, and his jaw clenched. “Shit. … Yeah … All right, gotta go … Later.” He rang off.
“It wasn’t good news,” she guessed.
“No, it wasn’t. The license plate number didn’t match the vehicle. I don’t know if the driver or shooter stole the plate, but it didn’t belong to the Charger.”
She groaned, exasperated. “Would it really be too much to ask that the universe send dumb criminals our way who struggle to cover their tracks?”
“I’d rather no criminals were sent our way.” Tate brushed her bangs out of her face. “The bastards are gonna pay, Havana. No one harms what’s mine and lives.”
There was that “mine” word again. There was so much feeling in it, so much conviction. And she’d be lying if she said that she didn’t like hearing him say it. But she had to be honest with him, even knowing it might slice at his ego. “Tate, I don’t say this to hurt you, but … I don’t feel the pull of the bond, I’m sorry.” She thought he’d frown or scowl or curse. Instead, his expression softened.
“I already know that, baby. I can’t exactly judge you for that—I didn’t feel it myself until a few hours ago. I’m a lot of things, Havana, but I’m not delusional. I know you’re mine. Every cell of my body is screaming it at me. Do you think I’d lie about that?”
“No. I just … I don’t know, it’s hard to process what you’re saying.” She felt blindsided, and her thoughts were all jumbled.
“What does your devil think?”
“She’s doing a lot of haughty sniffing—it’s kind of her thing. When I ended our fling, she thought you’d protest and offer me more. But you let me go, and she sort of slammed a mental door on you.”
His eyes sharpened. “Ah, I see. Then I need to make her re-open it. I need to win back her trust and prove myself to her.” He