Page 47 of Same One
“You didn’t react badly. You protected him from Bridger’s wolf. I…I trusted that you were keeping him safe. Well, until you wouldn’t let me doctor him.”
“And did you doctor him on the way home?”
“No. He wouldn’t let me.”
“Good. He’s learning. That boy has not been disciplined properly. And that’s not a shot at you. He’s going to test a human constantly. It’s in his nature. He can’t push like that on a grown werewolf. That was a lesson. Right now, his entire life should be revolving around lessons, and most of them should be administered by other male werewolves. That boy needs structure.”
“You speak as if you know all about parenting a werewolf,” she grumbled. It wasn’t as easy as he was making it sound.
“I’m speaking on my own experience as a teenage werewolf who had been left by his dad.”
She swallowed a gasp. “What?”
Tabian canted his head and took the seat next to her, then pulled her by the knees until her chair scooted closer to his and her legs rested right between his thighs. He left his fingers hooked right under her knees. “That boy is hurt, and it’s leaking onto you. It’s not personal. He’s full of hormones and anger and hate and a wolf that is obviously giving him some hell, and he’sdoing it outside of a Pack that could direct him. From here on, I want him Changing up in my territory.”
“What?”
“I talked to Liam about it this morning. And Bridger. And Vic because he is fuckin’ nosey and was hanging around outside the window like a stalker listening. The Pack can avoid Changes while he’s in the woods. We’ve got a safe spot, it’s set up for Changes, there are no animal traps, there is a river with fresh water, plenty of game, and if he gets into trouble, help will be right there.”
“But…I don’t even know if he would want to.”
“Then you ask him. We can ask him together. On his Change nights, you can come and stay with me, or if you’re not comfortable staying in my house quite yet, you can stay with one of the girls. You can be close to him. He’ll be out there causing hell in the woods all night, but you don’t have to worry about where he is.”
Her eyes prickled with tears and she ducked her gaze. A wave of relief had washed over her, and it was hard to breathe right now. “I’m really overwhelmed.”
He hooked his finger under her chin and lifted her gaze to his. “I don’t want you trying to set me free anymore. I’m where I want to be.” He shook his head. “No more pushing me away, no more blocking me at the first sign of trouble. Is that what is familiar? That’s what it was like at the end of your relationship with Bayen’s dad?”
She nodded, her throat too thick to speak.
“I understand, but I’m not him. Okay? If we have shit to work out, we’re going to sit in the uncomfortable conversation and work it out. Deal?”
A sob escaped her and she fell forward and put her face in her hands to hide.
“Shhhh,” he said, pulling her onto his lap.
She straddled him and melted against him completely as he slid his big strong arms around her.
And God, nothing had felt this good in as long as she could remember. It wasn’t a manipulative come-back after he’d been disrespectful like it had been with her ex. Tabian was here first thing in the morning to fix insecurities and get them to a better understanding. Even after everything that happened last night.
Her heart was being pried wide open.
“I’m trying so hard with Bay,” she said.
“You’re doing better than you know,” he assured her, rubbing her back now with his big, powerful hands. “Trust me. You are. You’re so damn tough, Tru. I can’t name another human who could do what you’re doing with that boy. I’m serious. I can’t name a single one.”
It felt so good to hear something positive, she melted even more, and slid her arms around his neck, buried her face against his throat and wished she could somehow be even closer to him right now. “I think I need help with him.”
Tabian eased her back and gripped her shoulders. His eyes were so open right now. “Then choose me.”
She searched his glowing blue eyes, all choked up with emotion.
“Choose me,” he murmured again. “I can help. I know I can. It’ll take some time, but I can shoulder some of the stress. I hated when you blocked me—”
“Tabian—”
“I’m being serious, Tru. Let me finish. I hated it. I couldn’t stand you pushing me away, I couldn’t stand not being able to send you the messages I wanted to reassure you. I hated sitting there all night with the thought of your ex being a werewolf and having all these questions, and you not wanting anything to do with me.” He shook his head. “I don’t want to do that anymore.”
She nodded. “I understand.”
