Page 24 of Breaking the Surface
“No one is going to expect you to act completely normally considering everything.If you’d rather stay home, I’m sure Camden and Toby would understand.”
“I know they would.Toby texted me twice to tell me.I don’t want to stay home, though.I want to go to their party and spend time with them and with other people.I don’t want to feel stuck in this house.”
He reached for Braden, surprising him.The touch on Braden’s arm was light, but it still sent Braden’s heart racing.He told himself to be cool.The last thing he needed was to spook Peter.
“I’m not going to lie.Iamscared.I feel like Lou is out there, watching me.”
“He might be.”Braden wasn’t going to lie to Peter.As much as everyone was working overtime to ensure that Lou didn’t get into pack territory, there was a chance that he would anyway.He was smart, and there were no physical boundaries around most of pack territory.
“But he already took too much from me,” Peter continued.“I’m not going to allow him to ruin the beginning of this new chapter in my life.He’s the reason I’m here and have this home.That’s all I’m willing to give him, though.”
Braden understood.He was in awe of how strong Peter was, but he didn’t tell him that.He was starting to get to know Peter, so he knew his mate wouldn’t take that well.Peter didn’t believe that he was strong, but he was wrong.Braden just didn’t want to fight over it.“All right.Let’s go, then.”
He didn’t hesitate when he opened the door.He noticed Peter frown, but he followed Braden out the door, closing it behind them.For a moment, they both stopped and listened to the night.
Braden still wasn’t entirely used to living in the forest, especially at night.Some of the noises he could hear made him jump, even though he knew it was most likely animals.Of course, knowing that Lou was out there wasn’t helping.Any noise could be him.
But like Peter had said, Braden wasn’t going to let Lou deprive either of them of something else.Peter squared his shoulders and straightened his back, then he quickly climbed down the porch steps before turning to Braden.
Braden smiled at him and joined him.
Together, they made their way to Camden and Toby’s house.It wasn’t far, but Braden was still relieved when they finally stood in front of the house.Lou hadn’t ambushed them as they walked.For now, Peter was safe.
Camden quickly opened the door when Peter knocked.He smiled gently and gestured for them to come in.
“I’m glad to see you,” he told Peter.“How have you been?I’m sorry we didn’t get the opportunity to talk yet.Everyone’s been busy.”
Peter snorted.“And there’s the Lou situation.”
“That, too.I’m happy to say that we haven’t seen him again, but I can’t help but wonder how long that’s going to last.”
“Me too, but please, can we not talk about him tonight?I want to have fun, and thinking about him is going to spoil that.”
Camden’s smile widened.“I’d be delighted not to ever talk about your ex-boyfriend again.Why don’t I get you something to drink?”
Peter followed Camden deeper inside the house, leaving Braden there to close the door.He didn’t mind.In fact, he was glad to see that Peter was comfortable enough to leave his side.They were growing closer every day, which was probably part of their bond, but it would do Peter good to see someone who wasn’t Braden or Vincent.It would do him even better to feel like he belonged here.The pack was his home now, but it was hard for him to truly feel that way when he couldn’t leave his house to meet the people he lived with.
Braden wanted nothing more than for Peter to be happy, which told him everything he needed to know about his feelings for Peter.He might feel that way because they were mates, but did that matter?He cared about Peter.That was why he wanted Peter to be happy.He wanted to be a person Peter could trust and feel safe with, and he was.Of all the people here, he and Vincent were probably the only ones who could say that Peter completely trusted them.As comfortable as he was with Camden and the others, he still held himself a little distant, which was understandable but still made Braden angry.
He really hated Lou.
“I remember you making fun of me when I was staring at Pembroke the way you’re staring at him,” a voice drawled.
Braden turned to look at Remi.He rolled his eyes, but by the time he turned back to Peter, he’d disappeared into the kitchen with Camden.Braden frowned a little, making Remi laugh.
“You got it bad,” he commented.
“Oh, you don’t know the half of it,” Braden murmured.
“Maybe not, but I bet I can guess.Welcome to the club, Braden.”
He clapped Braden on the shoulder.Braden blinked at him, wondering what he’d missed.“What club?”
“The club of us humans being completely whipped by our mates.It’s a nice club to belong to.”
Braden leaned closer.“How do you know?I haven’t told you.”
“Well, I didn’t know for sure until now, but you just confirmed it.You’re his mate?”
