Chapter Eighty–Six

I slowly turned away from Shannon, dropping her arm. I let my mouth drop open to keep my ruse going and to show my shock. “Why would he think I’m his mate?” I found Brandon, who was arrogantly staring at me with hunger in his eyes. I wanted to grimace, but I swallowed the need. “We haven’t even talked before.”

Vince smirked. “Shannon admitted to wearing your clothes around Brandon.” It was like that was the missing piece of information that would make me jump at the chance of being Brandon’s mate. But I just lifted my brow.

“So?” I let the simple word hang there, holding my disbelief.

“So, it means that it was your scent I liked, that my wolf was attracted to.” Brandon stepped toward me and went to grab my hand, but I pulled away.

“Or…it was our combined scent that you liked.” I lied through my teeth. I felt a pang in my chest and the pain radiating from my wolf. I sent a pulse of love to Megan. This was her mate, after all.

It’s okay. Megan’s words were strong, but tinged with sadness. He doesn’t deserve us.

Nix’s voice floated out to us. During our first life, I felt your bond with this idiot and I was content. You will feel a proper bond if we ever find my mate. Do not despair. This is not your only shot at a bond.

I felt Megan perk up with that thought, so I refocused on the conversation at hand. “Look, Brandon. I can appreciate you trying to find your mate, but it’s not me.” I smiled and turned to leave.

I couldn’t let him touch me. If he touched me, he would feel the mate bond, and that wasn’t something I wanted to deal with.

Megan pushed forward a little. When we have time, I will reject him so the mate bond severs on my side.

I wanted to do it now, but Nix spoke up. You need to speak the words, and if you do that now, everything would be for nothing. Dodge the touching for now, and maybe we can use our power to dull the shocks.

I walked away from everyone gathered in the living room, but Lynn’s eyes widened subtly, and I knew to turn. Brandon, again, had grabbed for me, and I barely dodged him. “Wait.” He tried again, but I backed up a step.

“I said I could appreciate the search, but don’t press your luck. You have no reason to touch me, and I would ask you not to.”

“Watch yourself,” Vince’s words were sharp, but I just cut my eyes to his.

“I will, once you teach your son not to touch unwilling females.” I lifted my lips and made a big deal of scenting the room. “I have no mate in this room, and I would appreciate it if you respect my space.” I glared at Brandon.

Megan was doing her best to hold herself back; she was affected by his scent. But Nix moved closer to the forefront and lent me her strength not to react to his scent. The idiot in question froze and finally scented the room. Alpha Vince walked closer to him and grabbed his shoulder.

“Son?” He continued to scent the air, but it was Shannon that caught my eye. Her eyes were mere slits, and she was glaring straight at me, as if she knew exactly what he was going to say.

But Brandon remained silent. He walked closer, and I backed away, keeping the distance. “Amy. I promise I won’t touch you. I just want to smell you.”

I scoffed. The look in his eyes told me he was lying. The man never could lie. I ripped my shirt off, leaving me in my sports bra, and tossed it to him. I wasn’t going to let him anywhere near me. His eyes narrowed as I tilted my head at him.

“Nothing against the future alpha. I just only want to be touched by my family and my mate. You understand, don’t you?” My eyes darted to Shannon. “The bond between wolves is sacred, and any relationship or intimate touching before the mate bond diminishes it. My mother taught me to hold true to my mate, and just my mate. I hope you can understand.” I gave another polite smile and pointed to the shirt. “That should work for scenting me, right?”

Brandon glared at me for another moment before lifting my shirt to his nose. Everyone in the room heard him inhale, and we all froze. Well, I froze. I trusted my power, but my goddess, I was worried. He inhaled again and then slowly lowered my shirt.

“So?” Vince’s smirk was infuriating.

“No.” Brandon’s voice was low. “But that is impossible. I swore it was her scent.” He glared at me.