Chapter 87

Once Like Brothers DAMON Night had fallen and I was in the packhouse , in Liam’s office , trying to look at the tracker families in the pack – those who had the ability to hide their heartbeats – when there was a knock on the door .

” Enter .

” I had left the door unlocked since I was in here anyway .

The door opened and Robyn’s familiar scent hit my nose before I glanced up .

She seemed surprised to see me alone , glancing around the room as if this was a mistake .

She was dressed in figure – hugging clothes consisting of a black vest top and denim high waisted jeans .

” I won’t bite .

” I said , smiling slightly .

That emptiness in my chest that she had once partially filled had only grown since the rejection .

It hurt .

It fucking hurt .

I pushed the thought away .

I don’t think I ever had a chance anyway , I would always be second , whether that was simply because Raven and Liam always had a stronger connection or because I couldn’t bring myself to fight for it and make matters worse .

One thing good about the rejection was that there was no holding on to hope that i It would never be .

There was no what if , or just maybe it could work .

It was done and I could look forward from here … It’ll get easier … I wasn’t the only one who had shouldered a rejection .

Only recently , Channing , Taylor’s brother , had rejected his mate .

It was different as their marks would remain until the end but they had weakened the bond by a lot .

But if say , Anna took a new mate , and marked them , the mark could be lifted from Channing’s neck .

The mate bond … it wasn’t something simple … ” I thought Zack was here .

He asked me to check the anti – scent spray supplies .

” She said , holding the file over her breasts .

” Leave it with me .

Thanks for your constant help , Robyn .

You’ve always been really hands – on and organised .

” I said glancing down at the desk in front of me , remembering a conversation from about six months ago that I had overheard her having with her brother Rick ….

‘

You’re damn organised ….

Of course , I am ! Who knows , I may be a beta female … It could just be in my genes to be organised and handle stuff .

The sound of her laughter echoed in my mind , and I knew back then that was the point where I should have told her I had a mate .

Was this karma ? ” ” Yeah sure .

So , there’s nothing missing from the actual sprays , but there have been slight misses in the actual ingredients used to make them .

My bet is that someone has been sneaking a little here and there , then making their own .

” She said , brushing a coiled tendril of her hair back as she placed the file down , pointing something out .

Her heart was racing at our proximity .

I looked at where she was pointing and frowned .

” That’s minimal … Things get spilt when creating the sprays , are you sure it’s not just a miscalculation ?

” I questioned raising an eyebrow .

She frowned , cocking an eyebrow .

” I don’t make mistakes when it comes to things like this .

Damon , trust me , I’m the one who checked the stocks for Rick last time .

” She replied snappily .

” Calm down , I’m just saying .

” I said , smiling slightly .

She almost said something , the beginning of a smile on her lips before it vanished , and she shook her head , closing her eyes for a second .

” Yeah … so … I was thinking , maybe someone who has access to the supplies … She said , smoothly moving away from me .

My chest squeezed slightly at her move , but I smiled softly as I stared down at the file .

I had lost everyone to the point where they walked away , and when it came to her , that was my fault , but I couldn’t just delve into this fucking pain in my chest .

It was my choice to let her go , and to let Raven go … Now I had to deal with the aftermath .

I nodded , and she turned away , hesitating before looking at me .

” Damon , are you ok ? ” She asked , her voice sounding unsure .

I looked up at her , nodding .

H ” Yeah .

She frowned , pursing her lips .

” I know you better than that , Damon .

You’re hurting .

Do you want to talk about i t ? ” She asked , fiddling with one of her rings .

I looked at her , I knew she was the one person I could lay my soul bare to , but it would just hurt , just as it would hurt Raven if I had told her how I felt .

Even though Raven talked to me daily , asking how I was and checking in on me , I couldn’t tell her that the pain in my chest was crushing me .

Because I love her , and for her happiness , I let her go .

As for Robyn … bond or not , she had loved me , I was not going to hurt her by abusing that .

” I’m fine , thanks .

” I said just as the door opened and Liam stepped inside .

I frowned , instantly realising there was something different about him .

What was it … My eyes widened , realising there was n o aura around him .

Although I knew it was usually suppressed , you could still tell when an Alpha walked into the room , and right now I felt nothing from him .

” Hi … I’m not disturbing right ?

” He asked , glancing between Robyn and I.

” No Alpha , not at all .

I was just bringing the list for the supplies … ” Robyn said before she walked past him towards the door .

‘ If you do want to talk , I’m here .

I know the three of you have a complicated situation , and I’m not trying to butt in , but if you just need an ear to listen ….

One who won’t ever judge … I’m here .

‘ Her words came in my head , my heart thundered as I looked at her back .

” Thanks … Raven and I … We rejected one another .

‘ I said quietly .

Her heart raced , she looked down but she didn’t turn back .

‘ Oh … I’m sorry .

Then she was gone , shutting the door behind her .

Liam raised an eyebrow .

” All , ok ? “

” Yeah .

” I said , I knew that he knew that w e had been mind linking .

” Cool .

” I glanced at him as he came over , picking u p the file that Robyn had brought in .

He hadn’t said anything about the rejection s o far … I wouldn’t either , I’ll let him bring i t up first .

” You were out all day , and your aura’s different .

Or more like , there just isn’t one .

“

I asked as he dropped onto his chair .

He glanced up at me and frowned .

” I got a seal or two put on me … just in case ” He said quietly , after a moment’s KEP pause … I frowned .

Didn’t his dad say he was just going into town ? That meant he probably went to see Rayhan … ” Does your Dad know ? ” ” No , only you and Raven .

“

He said , frowning as he tossed the file down and looked up at me .

” I owe you a lot more than an apology ….

but I’ll start there .

I’m not going to justify my shit , because even now I can’t think of sharing my mate ..

but my behaviour … it was wrong .

I fucked up a lot and in the process lost a lot .

” I watched him , sensing the guilt roll of him as he stared at his hands , his elbows resting on his legs , his head hanging .

” What I’m trying to say is that I’m sorry for treating you like shit … That I saw and still see everything you did for me , Damon .

I’m a total prick , but you bent over backwards to make me happy .

You’ve always put yourself aside .

You sacrificed everything for me and I realise I broke the very first promise I made to you years ago .

” His voice was hoarse , and I could hear the guilt laced with pain in it .

Promise … Yeah , I remember it .

( FLASHBACK FOURTEEN YEARS AGO ) “

Liam , you won ! ” I gasped , catching my breath , looking at the boy who was a little younger than me but was already slightly taller .

He smiled .

” I’m sure you will win next time , Damon .

Rematch ? ” ” Ok ! ” I said , ” Three , two , ONE ! ” We broke into a run , our feet barely hitting the earthy ground as we raced towards the line of trees .

I glanced at him , realising he was falling behind .

” I’m winning , Liam ! I’m going to win ! ” I slammed my hand against the tree trunk , bursting into laughter as I stuck m y tongue out at him when he reached me moments later .

” Yeah , you did ! ” He said , high – fiving me .

” Is it bad ? You’re the Alpha .

You will always be number one .

You should be number one ! ” He smiled at me , his eyes sparkling brightly .

” We are brothers .

There won’t be a first or second , we will always be a team .

I promise .

” He h Call ended out to me and I took it happily , noading .

” Yeah , we are brothers ! ”

( END OF FLASHBACK )

I realised years later that he let me win here and there … I was never stronger or faster than he was but he let me think that , but that was Liam for you … Until that blood moon … ” I’ve treated you like shit and even then you have stuck by me …

You haven’t made a move on Raven … But I still hate you for it … I acted like I’d always share everything , and then I realised that she was the one thing I couldn’t … I hurt you , and I know you’re probably mad at me , which you should be , but I’ll try to do better .

I’ll make it up to you … or I’ll at least try to .

” He said , running his fingers over his head , messing up his perfectly styled hair .

His words resonated in my head and I could hear the sorrow and vulnerability in his words , yet the strength and confidence of his determination to fix things shone through .

I moved away from the table , taking a seat in the chair opposite .

” I didn’t mind any of your crap until you marked her … that was my limit , and what was worse was I couldn’t do anything I just watched .

“

” I know … But it’s not your fault … You couldn’t do anything .

That’s something I won’t ever be able to forget .

Ever .

” He said , his brows furrowed .

” I know you let me lash you so I can vent my anger .

” I said quietly .

” I’m not stupid , deep down I know my best friend and brother is in there … I’m seeing him coming out , a little by little .

I just hope that he fights this darkness and realises that his actions are hurting those around him .

” He nodded , looking across at me .

” I’m going to try , thank you for being a friend , one I don’t even deserve .

” ” That’s what brothers are for … We deal with each other’s shit and are there for one another .

You were there for me when Dad died , Liam .

I won’t forget that ….

But I still want to punch you .

” I said , despite smiling at him .

” No one is stopping you .

.

” He replied , smirking .

I shook my head , ” Who would have thought a girl would be the reason for our conflict .

” I said , feeling that stabbing pain inside of me .

*** ” Yeah … I love her … and I know you do too So I’m not going to stand in her way .

I’m not an angel who is going to say yeah , I’ll share … because I really can’t , I have fucking tried to get my head around it .

Considered it even , but I can’t .

I won’t expect her to choose me , I have to deal with the fact that I’m not the only one in the running .

It’s late … I know ….

It’s really late and I have a head start , but go for it .

Fight for her if you want to , if she wants you …

I won’t lie and say that I will be happy for you , I’ll fucking be jealous … but I’ll accept it .

You are my beta and r my brother Damon , I don’t want that to change .

Even if I’m fucking too late to say i t or maybe I’ve destroyed any hopes of that , to a point of no redemption .

” My heart was racing , his words echoed in my mind , but it was his remark about Raven that threw me off .

Liam didn’t know we had already rejected one another .