Chapter 423

I spent three hours sorting through the papers in the box. My mind was full of code lines and the random, scribbled ideas that Rick had while building the security system. I groaned when my alarm went off. I was nowhere near done sorting through everything, and I had zero clue what I was even looking for.

I sat back on my heels and sighed. I jumped up from my bed and ran downstairs to grab a drink when there was a knock at the door. I glanced at the time and saw I had three minutes to get back to my room for the call. The knock sounded again, louder, impatient, and annoying. I sighed as I made my way to the front door. I opened it to see Brandon standing there with a basket of food and flowers.

“Hello…” I stood in the doorway as he took a step to come in. “Brandon, what are you doing here?”

He smiled and tried to shove the flowers into my hands. “Hey baby, I came for dinner. I brought everything for us to have a picnic under the stars.” Something felt off.

I looked down at my watch and saw I was due upstairs in two minutes. “I told you today I had a call at nine, and you wait until now to come here?” I raised my eyebrow. “For dinner?”

His smile grew a little tighter. “I forgot you had a call later. Can’t you reschedule?”

I sighed and crossed my arms as I leaned against the door frame. “No, Brandon, I can’t reschedule. I’ve had this planned for weeks now, and I can’t back out a minute before the call because my boyfriend wants to have dinner under the stars.” I looked at him. “Plus, I already told you, everything is off until you can figure out what to do about Shannon. Everyone is still talking about your mating ceremony in two weeks. Not ours. Yours.” I stepped back, but he jumped to the door frame. “Brandon.” I nearly growled and lost my fucking mind, but I held back.

We can kill him in two weeks. Just hold it together. Megan’s tone was so dismissive, I nearly laughed.

“Amy, please. I’m doing my best; it’s just going to take time.” He grabbed the door, trying to step into the house, and I caught a scent I recognized, but couldn’t place.

“I know you are, but I can’t allow your reputation to take another hit. I already explained it to your dad.” I grabbed the door and held it so that he couldn’t get past me. I heard the distant chime from my computer screen indicating an incoming call. “I appreciate the picnic, but I have to go.”

“Wait!” He slammed his body into the door, crowding me and blocking my way from closing the door. “Can’t I come in? I want to spend the night with you.” He leaned in to me and drew in a sniff. “You smelled fantastic today. Is that strawberry?” He tried to kiss me, and I gave him a light peck before the chime from my computer went off again.

I pushed him back out the door. “I have to go. And I already told you, I’m saving myself for our mating ceremony. So no, you can’t stay the night.” I grabbed the door as I looked across the street to see someone from the pack watching us. “Look at Mrs. Cleroux. She is watching us and definitely judging us.” Which was true, but she judged everyone. “Everyone is expecting you to mate with Shannon now, and to keep your reputation, you should.” I looked sad. “She loves you.” He opened his mouth. “I love you too. And I love you enough to want you to be happy with your decision. You keep rushing to me, telling me you want to be with me, but have you actually considered it? If she is what makes you happy, then be with Shannon. I won’t get in the way. But if you want to be with me, you have to make it very clear to Shannon without being cruel.”

“I understand.” He looked away.

“Do you? Because yet again here you are, rushing to convince me you want to be with me. But obviously, you haven’t spoken to Shannon since the pack still thinks you are together again.” I gestured to Mrs. Cleroux, who was still staring at us. “I don’t know why I have to keep repeating myself. I deserve respect.” I heard the video call chime again, and now I was getting angry. “You keep acting like flowers, food, wine, or whatever else you have will solve everything, but it won’t. The only thing that will solve all of our issues is if you actually take the time and deal with your feelings, Shannon's rumors, and figure out who you want to be with. I refuse to share my mate. I refuse to be the other woman.” Then I slammed the door in his face and locked it.