“What did Julie say?” he questioned, not wanting to contradict whatever they’d already been told. From the uncomfortable expression on Danny’s face, he knew they hadn’t even asked. Instinct had taken over. Protect. Defend.
Then again, he looked down at the doorknob in his hand and realized he would have done the same.
Rubbing a hand over his abused jaw, he considered how best to reply. He opened his mouth to answer, but shut it as Laurie’s car tore into the parking lot, Julie at the wheel. Fire snapped from her eyes as she flung open her door and charged head first into the middle of the group. Pushing her brothers away from him, she stood between Brendan and the three alpha wolves like an avenging angel.
“What the hell do you three idiots think you’re doing?” She poked Jason in the chest as she continued her rant. “Whatever happened last night is none of your business. How dare you take turns sniffing me then dash out to defend my honor. Without even discussing it with me! I am an adult, and I’m old enough to make my own mistakes.”
Brendan frowned. Mistakes? Nothing about last night had been a mistake. His mouth opened to protest, but Jason beat him to it.
“Now, Julie–” he placated, but Julie wasn’t finished.
“Don’t you ‘now, Julie’ me! This in no way concerns you. And you better get used to it, because it’s not stopping anytime soon!” Brendan almost snickered at the shocked looks on all three brothers’ faces. He knew his answering smile was a bit smug, but he couldn’t help it. Watching his mate defend their relationship made his chest puff out with pride. She was so beautiful when riled. It made him want to do inappropriate things to her, even while confronting her three alpha brothers.
He stepped forward and ran soothing hands down her arms. Now that she was near, he and his wolf had settled, comfortable knowing their mate was safe. Besides, how could he stay upset when she made him so happy?
“It’s okay, beautiful. They’re looking out for you. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Now since I know you couldn’t have eaten yet with the hubbub, why don’t all of you get back to your parents? I can pick you up there later.” He looked at her brothers, exchanging a silent message with them. Take care of her. I’m entrusting her to you. All three nodded in understanding. For now, they were on the same team.
“Why don’t you join us? I’m sure Mom made enough for one more.”
Brendan looked at Danny in surprise. An olive branch? Sure, he’d eaten plenty of meals with the Callahan family in the past, but everything had changed last night. He’d broken their one rule: Julie was off-limits.
“Sounds great,” he heard himself say. Julie’s hand slipped into his as they walked back to the car. His heart overflowed with love. He’d die if anything were to happen to her. Which meant he couldn’t let her out of his sight.
Chapter 7
“Owie,” Brendan whined as Julie applied an ice pack to his jaw. All of the real pain was gone, his body having already healed the damage. But the way she held his head in her lap as they sat on his couch, stroking his hair with her hand, was more than enough motivation to put on a little show.
“Poor baby,” she murmured, leaning down to place a gentle kiss against the bruise. He grabbed her hand as she started to sit up. Her hair cascaded around their faces, encasing them in a private cocoon.
Leaning up, he brushed his lips against hers. It was a soft kiss, and he struggled to keep it light. After a long moment, he released her, placing his head back into her lap. Her hand resumed the stroking that would’ve made his tail wag had he been in wolf form. As much as he wanted to stay just like this for the rest of the night, there were things they needed to discuss.
“I wanted to talk to you about something.” He needed to know that Julie would stay with him, at least until whoever, or whatever, had broken her door was found. If she wanted to leave afterward, he wouldn’t be able to stop her. But he had every intention of making sure she never wanted to leave.
Her stillness alerted him to her discomfort. Her hand stopped stroking his hair, and he felt her posture stiffen. Looking into her eyes, he saw curiosity but not fear–another reminder of how adept she was at hiding her emotions. Something he intended to remedy soon. She shouldn’t feel the need to hide anything from him.
At least he had more of a clue than her family. He couldn’t believe how blind they were. During brunch, her father had launched into the story about meeting Julie’s mother. He’d smiled as her father began the familiar tale that demonstrated the love between the couple. But as Charles had expressed his unending love for his mate, Brendan’s gaze had drifted to his mate. She would be the mother to his future children, the one he’d grow old with. It hadn’t taken long to realize something was wrong. Very wrong.
That fake smile had been fixed on her face. He hated that smile. And the pain in her eyes had nearly brought him to his feet, needing to defend her from whatever had caused her pain. She’d pushed around the food on her plate and gazed down at the pattern she’d made with her fork.
“And that’s when I realized, why would I want normal when I could have special?” Julie’s smile had slipped a little at the word “special.” It had been subtle, and if Brendan hadn’t been staring, he probably would have missed it. But he had been staring.
“Julie, you know how special you are, right?” He hadn’t cared if he appeared rude, interrupting his host in the middle of a sentence. All that had mattered was Julie and replacing her fake smile with a real one.
The look she gave him had been filled with wide-eyed panic as everyone’s gaze shot to her. She’d glanced at the others and bit her lip.
“Sure. I mean not like you guys, but yeah.” The hollow laugh that followed was one he never wanted to hear again. Her shrug displayed more discomfort than the assurance she’d strived for.
The ensuing silence had said it all. Everyone had heard the pain she’d tried to hide. Taking his gaze off his mate, Brendan had looked around the table and seen utter shock on the faces of her family. It was clear they’d never realized before how different Julie felt. Twenty-three years and none of them had seen the pain the story caused, even though it had to have been told a hundred times.
“Honey? What do you mean, ‘not like you guys?’” her mother had questioned. All gazes had remained glued on Julie.
She’d shrugged again. “You guys are wolf shifters. I’m just human. Ordinary.”
No one had spoken. Desperately, he had wracked his brains for the right words to say. He was her mate, and until recently he hadn’t realized anything was wrong.
“Julie.” He’d waited until her gaze met his before continuing. “There is nothing ‘ordinary’ about you. You are the most unique and special woman I have ever, and I do mean ever, met.” He’d found her blush endearing, and her smile, her real smile, had broken the tension around them. Conversation had resumed almost as if the event had never happened. But every now and then he’d seen one of her siblings or her parents glance at Julie with concern and regret.
At least now they knew. Everything was out in the open, and he would heal whatever emotional pain she harbored with love and patience.
“Okay,” she said, dragging him back to the present. “Am I going to like this talk or not?”