A Mate for Lu - Amy Bellows Page 0,44

comments make more sense now.

“Did you give him a band or a necklace?”

He smiles. “A necklace. My mate made it clear that he wouldn’t settle for anything else. I’m glad he was honest with me about what he wanted. If you’d prefer for your guy to take the necklace, maybe you shouldn’t bring the bands.”

After what I’ve put Lu through this week, he deserves some control over the direction of our relationship, and this is the best way to give it to him. Even if I want him to accept the necklace, I won’t force him.

I gather up the jewelry and slide it into my pocket. “Did your mate’s parents struggle with your bond?”

I told Allen’s parents already. Telling my parents will be harder. Instead, I lied and said I was going bowling with friends tonight.

“My father-in-law had a hard time accepting me at first. But now we’re very close.”

“What changed his mind about you?”

He chuckles. “A sassy fashion designer. It’s a long story, and I need to clean this place up. But give me a call. Really. It would be nice to go out for drinks or tea.”

I put his card in my pocket next to the jewelry.

“Thanks. I will. Have a good night.”

Todd calls out, “Good luck!” as I walk out the door.

I text Lu: I’m on my way.

He’s clearly mad at me, and I’m not thrilled about the risk of running into his violent brother. But I’m done letting fear control my life.

Starting tonight, I choose love.

29

Lu

Not long after Axe returns to his mates, I get a text from Cy. It’s a link to an Instagram account. At first, I don’t know why he sent it. The first two photos are of a large tortoise eating kale. Then I find a photo of my brother with the caption, The nicest alpha in Anchorage.

There’s a photo of Cy too, glaring at the camera while coated in sweat. The caption of that photo is: In charge in the very best way.

The rest of the photos are shots of different tourist sites in Anchorage and selfies of a young omega with hopeful captions about his Pebble Gifting Season. I’m not sure how he ended up with Cy and my brother. I’m even more confused about how he acquired a tortoise. But he seems sweet.

Axe said that he’d come over tomorrow to help with Mary. We can get to know each other, maybe become friends. I could really use a friend right now, and it looks like he’s new to Anchorage.

My brother’s new-found happiness feels like a warm blanket as I get Mary ready for bed and prepare myself emotionally for Sam’s visit. Even if he doesn’t end our relationship, I can’t let things continue as they are. Regardless of who says the words, our relationship is over. It never really existed in the first place. It was nothing but a secret. A whisper.

I’m not going to settle for that anymore.

At eight I send off the text inviting him over, and then I put on the sexiest, prettiest pair of underwear in my new collection. Not for Sam. He doesn’t get to see them. For me.

Like Ansel said, I don’t have to wait for a man to feel pretty.

There’s a knock at the door in less than five minutes. I was expecting to have more time, but this is probably better. I can get it over with.

I open the door to find Sam waiting on the porch. I allow myself to take him in one last time. He’s so handsome. I wish I could retreat into his arms.

Instead, I step back, inviting him in. I have to be strong.

He watches me closely as he takes a seat on the couch. Maybe he can see how hard this is for me. Or maybe he’s worried how I’ll react when he ends things.

I stay standing by the door. “What did you want to say?”

“Aren’t you going to sit down?”

I shake my head.

He walks back to the door and gets down on one knee in front of me. “When I gave you my pebble, I should have taken that commitment seriously. But I didn’t. I put everything else in my life before you and Mary. That wasn’t right. I’m so sorry, Lu. I just hope that you’ll let me make it right.”

What does he mean by making it right? Does he have some other plan to keep our relationship a secret that he thinks will work better?

And if he does, will I be tempted