Page 76 of Brazen

I crossed my arms and let him talk.

“Sam is a good man. A good packmate. I told him to find out about JT’s father and his pack to ensure there would be no anger at JT being raised here with us. It was not a seduction plan. Any seducing he did was because you are his fated mate, and he will desire no other.”

Okay, that was heavy.

“As his alpha,” he continued. “Sam didn’t have a choice but to obey, whether he liked what I requested or not. That is the way of the pack.”

He set his hat back on his head and set his hands on his hips.

“A wolf and his mate come first. He was, in his own way and own time, making you his. I didn’t respect him or his approach and ruined it all.”

“What are you saying?”

“I disrespected Sam. And you.”

Some of the tension in my gut loosened. I wasn’t going crazy in my anger. I’d been correct to be mad at what had happened at the picnic. But I’d been mad at the wrong person.

Sam had done what his alpha requested. He’d been a good packmate while trying to make me come around. They were in complete opposition, and it must’ve been hell on Sam.

“What about JT? I won’t have my son be a pawn between packs.”

“Nor would I. That was the only reason I asked Sam to sniff out who his dad’s pack was. I wanted to be prepared in case you ever had trouble from them. But I will never use your son for anything. That’s a promise. I consider his safety and yours to be my responsibility. That’s all. It’s yours to decide what is best for you and JT. I truly hope that’s with Sam.”

My heart tied itself in a knot again at the mention of Sam. Of building a life with him, like he’d proposed.

I wanted that.

Rob must have read the pain on my face because his expression softened. “Sam would do anything for you–including give you space when you ask for it. But, you should know that space is killing him right now. Sam loves you and JT. He needs you. If it’s the pack you’re worried about, hit me up with your concerns, so I can alleviate them.”

I blinked at him.

Sam loves you.

Sam needed me.

Sam loves you.

Why was I still here waiting for him to come when he probably felt like he’d failed everyone–his mate and his alpha?

Sam loves you.

Did I want to sit down and hash out my concerns over packs and alphas with Rob when my wolf needed me?

Hell no. I had some place to be. For the first time in days, I had a purpose. A drive. A need.

I needed Sam, and Sam needed me.

I lifted my chin and squared my shoulders, energy and purpose returning to my body. “I…would rather discuss them with Sam.”

Rob nodded. “Well, if there’s anything I can do now or later, let me know.”

Ernie ambled out. “Hey Clio!” he called. “That trailer axle came in for Sam. You want to send it with Rob?” When he joined us, he started to hand the box to Rob.

I grabbed it out of his hand. “Nope. I’m going to bring it myself.”

Rob grinned. “It seems I am not in need of blinker fluid after all.” He tipped his Stetson and climbed in his truck.

“Blinker fluid, eh?” Ernie muttered as Rob drove off.