When she snuggled in close, a content little sigh leaving her, I groaned at how special she was to me.
I closed my eyes and just held her, knowing I was the luckiest bastard in the world. And I hoped like hell she believed all the things I told her… that I’d destroy the world to keep her close. It was all true, insanely so, and I wasn’t sorry about that at all.
Because when you had something so perfect and right in your life, you’d be willing to do anything to make sure you always had it.
12
Tucker
One month later
I could feel someone watching me, their eyes drilling a hole in the back of my head. But I didn’t stop what I was doing, just continued bringing the hammer down on the slab of wood that was making up the new addition to Mia’s cabin—and now mine, since I’d moved in after the mating.
I’d gladly—happily—given up my place and moved in with her, not wanting my mate to have to change her way of living now that we were together. I would’ve gone anywhere for her. She was the sole reason I survived now, and I was willing to do whatever it took to ensure she always stayed happy.
I finished hammering the nail I was working on and got up from my crouched position, set the tool down on my worktable, and looked over my shoulder. Although I knew who was watching me. There was no denying the heavy feel of the Alpha’s gaze when it was directed right at you.
“Aidan,” I said in greeting, keeping my voice light—although void of emotion.
I hadn’t spoken to or interacted with him since the celebration in the longhouse. He’d kept his distance from me for the last month, which was a pretty incredible feat, given the fact that I was his Beta, and our pack was a close-knit community. But he clearly hadn’t wanted another—almost—altercation, and I was pretty sure his distance was because he wanted to come to terms with everything that happened.
Aidan seeking me out today could either be a good thing—that he accepted what was happening and he wouldn’t put up a fight—or it would end very badly with him saying, after thinking about it, that he couldn’t give his blessing.
Of course I didn’t need his fucking blessing. I was already mated to Mia, and she wore my mark. I would never give her up.
Not even with the Alpha’s order.
He was silent, which led me to believe this wasn’t a pleasant visit. So I stood there, said nothing, and waited for him to say whatever it was he wanted to get off his chest and make the point of his visit known.
When the awkwardness persisted, I ran a hand over the back of my neck and figured I’d break the ice. It was the least I could do, seeing as we were connected as family now, even more than we were as a pack. I snorted at that thought. Who would have ever fucking thought Aidan would have been my father-in-law? Well, in the human sense, that was.
“Mia isn’t home,” I said flatly, wanting nothing more than to keep my trap shut and let him be the one to break this weird tension that was now formed between us.
Besides, I assumed that’s why he was here. Doubtful he’d come to speak to me, since he’d made it plain as day he still wasn’t okay with things, no matter what he’d told Mia last month in front of the whole pack.
Although he didn’t stop us from being together, he wasn’t 100 percent on board either.
But even if Aiden and I might not be on good terms at the moment, he was still my Alpha, I was still his second-in-command, and despite our differences, I’d still give my life for his if need be.
But I wouldn’t be disrespected in my own home, and I wouldn’t be told that I couldn’t be with my female.
I crossed my arms over my chest and waited for him to say something. Anything.
“I know she isn’t here. I didn’t come by for her.”
I didn’t respond to that, just waited for the other shoe to drop.
He looked over my shoulder at the construction I was doing. “I know she went into town with a few of the other females. Shopping, I heard.”
Although I felt antsy with her being away from my side, damn near neurotic that she was in town without me there to protect her, I didn’t want to be an overbearing male and demand she stay or I go with her. She’d gone with a group of pack friends, had been checking in with me to ease my overprotective, possessive shifter ass, and I was trying to stay busy and keep my mind off my worry for my mate by working with my hands.