Finlay and I sat down on the step leading from his porch to the garden. The heat of the day had given way to cooler air,

the moon was a week from being full and the creek flowed at a steady pace. We didn’t talk as we ate. We were used to

each other’s company and it was a comfortable silence.

“Have you had a good birthday?” he asked me as we both had finished our cake.

“It has been amazing,” I told him.

“I was afraid it would trigger too many bad memories,” he said.

“It had its moments. But in the end, this birthday was much better and completely different.” He nodded.

“How do you feel about the games?” he asked.

“About the games or about what will happen when we won’t be playing?” I asked. He looked at me and smirked.

“The later,” he said.

“I don’t know. I’m nervous. I look forward to seeing my brother, but I’m scared he will be angry with me. With James… I

just don’t know what to think. I don’t have feelings for him, those died a long time ago. And I think I mostly have

forgiven him for what he did, it led me to end up here. But I’m afraid the bitterness will surface when I see him,” I told

him honestly.

“Would you prefer to stay home?” he asked.

“No.” I didn’t need to think about it. Despite my mixed feelings, I knew I would never skip the event. My pack needed me. “How about you? I’m not the only one with complicated family matters,” I asked him. He grunted.

“I have dealt with them at the alpha meetings. I’m predicting my brother will try to force a joining of the packs. Again.”

“At least we will have each other,” I told him. He gave me a smile.

“That is true.” We sat a moment longer, thinking about what we had talked about. I felt better after sharing my fears with

Finlay. I always did. “Ready for bed?” he asked. I nodded, and he stood up and reached his hands towards me. I took it

and he helped me up. We stood on the porch in the moonlight and neither of us had let go. Our eyes met and after a

couple of heartbeats during which none of us did anything, Finlay tugged lightly in my hand. The tug wasn’t hard

enough to do anything. But I found myself walking towards him until our toes almost touched. Our hands were still

connected and the air was filled with the tension which usually was under the surface whenever we were close. Now it

had been released and it was almost palatable. I don’t know who made the first move, or if we made it together. One moment we stood looking at each other, the next moment we were kissing like it was the only way to survive. Finlay’s

moved to my cheek and he gently held my face as he kissed me.

on my lower lip and with a moan

men, even if it was a long time

Everything I held back for six years came

he gripped a handful of it. It didn’t hurt, but it was a possessive gesture that had me moaning for the second

I was inside Finlay’s house, in the hallway he let me down and

his neck and one of my hands tangled in his blond hair and

as he pulled my leg up to wrap around his waist. The skirt

hand rubbed all over my naked leg and all I could do was roll my

the edge. His lips left mine as he kissed down my

“Finlay,” I moaned.

my head telling me I couldn’t do this.

this, I told

whimpered. He froze as he heard the change in my voice. I hated myself. He tilted his head so

breaths against my

told him in a whisper. I felt close to tears. He looked up

hands.

eating me up when I

I have these instincts, my

I feel it too.” I told

“Then why can’t we?”

will go to the biggest meeting of wolves in the world. The chance of you meeting your mate there

told him. For once I

he said, leaning his forehead

It is

you,” he told me. There was so much certainty in his

would break me,”

“Why?”

would be

I can’t see myself loving anyone else

first of my tears running

And it scares me how much. I’m terrified of what will happen when you meet your mate. If I

I want to and I have to give you up.” I paused to collect myself. “I won’t be able to pick up the pieces

IT will be so much worse then when

never do that to you,” he insisted.

do it intentionally. But we both know that things happen when you meet your

I wouldn’t want to stand in your way.” Finlay kissed me.

red. You are breaking my heart,” he said, wiping away

want a family I

four weeks away, Finn. I don’t think your balls will shrivel up until then.” He smiled

forehead.

“Probably not,” he agreed.

a

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