Mending the Beast (Awakening Pride #10) - Lacey Thorn Page 0,36

that to you. Me and my inability to be who you need.”

“Bullshit!” he growled.

“Let. Me. Finish,” she snapped. “I shut people out. I isolate. I let the demons in my head send me spiraling into a darkness I can’t escape. I’m broken—”

“Bullshit!” Daniel snarled. “Don’t tell me you’re too broken. Don’t tell me you’re not who I need. If you don’t want me, then tell me that. Tell me I’m not good enough. Tell me I’m a bastard who’s undeserving of you.”

“I shut down, Daniel. You deserve better than…me. Why can’t you see that?”

“Because I’m not looking through the same lens you are. I see a strong, beautiful woman who’s seen the worst life can bring and is still here. Fighting and loving. Yes, loving,” he emphasized when she opened her mouth to interrupt. “You think you don’t love Gideon and Vic, Murphy and Finn? That you can’t find a place in your heart for me? You’re so wrong. You already have.”

“You can’t believe that,” she countered.

“Whose shirt are you wearing even now?”

She shook her head, her face flushing with color.

“Do you think I don’t know what bed you sleep in when I’m not there? That you don’t take comfort in my scent? I do the same when I return. Your scent lingers long after you leave. You seek me when I’m not there, Ariel, but I’m right here. And I’m not going anywhere. Not without you.”

“So I just have to take it or leave it?” she snapped. He almost felt the panic he so easily read in her gaze.

“No,” he assured her. “Right or wrong, I’m not giving you a choice. Not anymore. Not when it comes to me being here with you. You can decide how close we are. If I stay with you or stand guard outside of wherever you are. But I won’t leave you again, and I refuse to let you walk away.” He scrubbed his hands over his face, clenching them in the top of his hair and giving it a tug before dropping his hands to hang loosely at his sides. “Let’s go to bed. It’s late, and morning will be here far too quickly. I’m exhausted, and baby, you look the same.” He brushed his fingers gently under her eyes. “I’ll be here while you sleep. No one will get through that door. No one. You’re safe with me, Ariel. Always. That’s my vow to you. I promise.”

Chapter Eleven

Ariel had never slept so well in her life. It was almost embarrassing. Daniel had spent the night on the floor in front of her hotel room door. He’d taken a pillow and blanket then wished her a good night before dropping to the floor and closing his eyes.

She’d been sure she’d be awake all night. Her mind had worried over every word they’d exchanged. But at some point, she had dropped off and would still be sleeping if Daniel hadn’t gently nudged her shoulder and whispered it was time to get moving.

In that moment, when she was between sleep and wakefulness, she’d reached for him. Reached out as if she wanted to wrap around him and hold tight. God help her, she did. Thankfully, she’d caught herself. Barely. And the looks Daniel kept giving her said he knew it.

They were standing outside, waiting to meet the others, and she’d managed to put some distance between them. Whatever walls she’d let down for him had to be shored up before the others joined them. She would not be perceived as weak or, God forbid, fragile. Hard. Cold. Angry. Alone. Those were how the others saw her. She needed them to see her that way. She needed to make sure no one looked beyond what she wanted them to see. Her glance flew across to where Daniel stood unapologetically watching her. Even Daniel. Especially Daniel.

“Daniel!”

Gabriel headed toward them at a fast clip, his mate Kenzie by his side. The height difference between the two was slightly over a foot. That difference wouldn’t be as large between her and Daniel. He was about three inches shorter than his brother and she was close to three inches taller than Kenzie. She and Daniel fit together. She quickly stopped that thought with a firm shake of her head. Daniel wasn’t with her. He deserved better than her.

Ariel had expected an affectionate greeting between the two. The brothers seemed close, especially since their father was no longer around to create discord between them. Instead, what she witnessed was more