Chapter 440

He pulled into my driveway, and I hadn’t even realized we were on pack lands. “What do you mean, don’t?” He turned in his seat.

“Amy, he doesn’t know the truth. He thinks you have been ignoring him for over a year. It’s killing him.”

I nodded. “I know. I know.” I looked down at my box of letters. “And I felt the same way.” I looked at him, almost imploring him to understand.

“You are still mad.” He sighed. “But he didn’t—”

I nodded. “I know.” I sighed. “But I don’t know if I can get past it.”

“But he didn’t do anything,” Sterling tried to argue.

“Exactly.” I leveled him with a look. “And I know that doesn’t make any sense, and it honestly doesn’t have to.”

He groaned. “You sound like my mate.”

I snorted. “She sounds smart.” I wiped my eyes. “I know it’s stupid, but I need to read everything first.”

“But why?”

I sighed. “Because… I don’t know if what’s in these letters is going to change anything.”

He exploded. “What the hell do you mean? How could they not?” He was so sure that the letters would change my opinion.

“It’s been two years.” I felt my stomach tighten. “Two years since he broke my heart and then cut me off.”

“But he didn’t.” He pointed to the letters, but I watched as his words registered. “But you didn’t know that…”

“Exactly.” I nodded once. We sat in silence for a moment before there was a knock on the window. We turned to find Brandon standing outside. I wanted to groan, but I forced a smile to my face. I turned back to Sterling with a warning glare. “Thank you for the ride back.”

His eyes flicked between Brandon and me. “You are welcome. I was happy to help.” His eyes tightened a little when Brandon stared at him. “Next time, you shouldn’t wait for me to call you to come get your mail.” He nodded to the box, and I could have kissed him. He gave me an explanation.

I mouthed, thank you, and he smirked a little. “I shouldn’t have any more mail coming to the building, so we should be good.”

I smiled, and it was genuine until Brandon knocked on the window again. Nix growled, and it slipped from my lips. Sterling smiled, and his eyes danced with amusement as I slammed the door open, making Brandon stumble back or be hit. “Have a nice drive back.” I stepped out and then bent for the box.

Brandon was at my side in seconds, trying to take it from me, but again I growled. He held up his hands and then looked back to the car. “Hey baby.”

I tightened my hands on the box. “What are you doing here?” I walked straight to my door and took out my keys to unlock it. Brandon trailed after me.

“I came here after Rick told me you were at home sick.” He looked back to Sterling’s car that was just starting to back out of the driveway. “But you weren’t here.” He watched Sterling drive away. “Where were you?”

I popped the door open and dropped the box inside, shutting the door before Brandon tried to go inside. “I went and grabbed my mail from the school. Apparently, I had a bit built up, and they called to see if I wanted it before they tossed it.” I turned back to face him. “Why did you come here if you heard I was sick?”

He smiled. “I wanted to take care of you.” He stepped into my space and kissed my lips, but I couldn’t kiss him back. Rowan’s words flashed through my mind. I love you.

I put a hand on his chest. “I appreciate it, but have you figured out the Shannon issue?” I pushed him away. “You keep showing up when I’ve asked you to keep your distance until it’s been handled. I don’t want to hurt her.”

Nix snorted. I love that you keep using Shannon as an excuse not to touch the scum bag.

Megan snorted. It really comes in handy. The man is a bastard. She sniffed. The funny thing is, he still has the scent of our mate, but it’s faded. And it smells like it turned. Gone rotten somehow.

Nix smelled. He smells like rotten apples to me. Megan just nodded.

Rotten like his soul. She snorted.

“Amy.” He tried to grab for me, but I held up my hands.

“No, Brandon, I’m serious.”

His eyes darkened. “I’m working on it.” He wrapped an arm around my back and slammed his lips to mine. There was a growl at the back of my throat, but I caught the sound of a car stopping in front of the house, so I held it back. There was the sound of the door opening, and then a gasp.

Shannon was standing at the bottom of the driveway. “Brandon?”

He whirled. “Shan.”