Page 15 of His Bullied Fated Mate

I swallowed. “Why didn’t you?”

His smile disappeared. “Because I saw how hurt you were. How would you rather be homeless than go back? I felt it was partly my fault.”

I looked down at my hands, picking at my nails.

“I knew you had it rough, but I didn’t think…I don’t know what I thought. So, I kept my distance. It’s part of my responsibility to make sure you're safe and happy, and I clearly didn’t do well growing up.”

I shook my head. “You were a great brother, Troy. The best a person could ask for.” I chewed on my cheek. “I just wasn’t able to take it anymore. I didn’t want to be here.”

“You seem to be doing well there. Mom said you got a promotion recently. You’re thriving.”

I nodded. “I did. I’m happy there. And when this is all said and done, I’d like you to actually come visit. That is, if you have time since you’re an Alpha now.” I had wondered how that information hadn't been told to me before.

He smiled that proud grin I remembered from when we were little. I wish I had known sooner. “When did that happen?”

“Last year. I was shadowing the Alpha in the next town, and he passed away in the winter. It’s been a year, a month ago.”

“That’s great.” I felt that twist in my gut. “Are you married too? Have children? Anything else I don’t know about?”

His smile slipped, and I could feel that tension between us. Siblings who didn’t even know each other anymore.

“I’m not married. I’m not seeing anyone actually. I’ve focused on work and being the best Alpha I could be.”

“I bet you're good at it.”

He gave me a soft smile. “Do our parents know you're here?”

I shook my head. “No. I haven’t told them, but I’ll imagine they know. Word travels fast in a pack.”

“Why haven’t you seen them?”

I shrugged. “I’m still trying to process it all. That and I’m pretty sure I’ll cry. Mom’s going to ask questions, and I won’t be able to avoid them anymore. It’s pretty easy to do over the phone. Harder to do in person.”

He chuckled. “Yeah. You should tell them. I’m sure they would love to see you. Mom said she hasn’t seen you since Christmas, and that was five months ago.”

“I know. I’ll call and tell her.”

We fell into silence again, but it was a little less uncomfortable. Troy told me about his pack and how busy he was. But he came and visited our parents at least every other week. He asked about my work, and I told him about my life.

Troy ended up leaving an hour later, giving me a tight hug. I watched him drive away. I sighed and glanced down at my phone. I took a deep breath and pulled up Mom in my contacts. I pulled the phone up to my ear and listened to it ring. She answered. “Janella? Hi, honey.”

I swallowed. “Hi, Mom.” I chewed on my cheek. “Are you home today?”

The next couple of days were a blur. I spent endless hours inside on the couch. I visited my parents almost daily after I finally called mom and told her I was in Riverville. We all cried. Dad hugged me for over a minute. Mom couldn’t believe that I was bonded with Riley. There were endless questions, and many that I didn’t know how to answer.

I lay in bed until noon some days, and others I wouldn’t sleep. Scott was calling, asking for updates, and I was running out of lies. It had been almost two weeks now I felt trapped. I would have to tell him the truth.

I stared at the ceiling in the living room. Riley was out of the house, and I was starting to get bored. I sat up and glanced outside the window. I watched as an old couple walked by. A couple of kids across the street were playing in the yard. I could hear dogs barking down the block.

I knew that being cooped up wasn’t doing me any good. I needed to have that hard conversation with Scott. I needed to accept that this was going to be my new life for however long. I needed a plan. If I didn't want to lose it all, I needed to make sure it didn't all come crumbling down.

I pulled myself up and decided the first step was getting out. I needed to take the pack in and refresh my memory on where everything was.

I went and changed into a pair of jeans and a knitted sweater. I sent my mom a message asking if she wanted to meet me for lunch.

I decided to walk since Riley took the only vehicle we had. Another issue we would need to discuss. The weather was nice, so I didn't mind it.

I paused when I got to a park and noticed there was a softball game going on. I could hear parents cheering and children laughing. I turned and continued to walk. I was crossing the street and heading towards downtown. I paused at a crosswalk and noticed a couple of women standing and staring at me. I could tell they were whispering to each other, and my stomach dipped.