Thayer by Cali MacKay

Author:Cali MacKay
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cali MacKay

Chapter Nineteen

Thayer

* * *

I knew that convincing Cassie that she was my fated mate would be a long shot, especially if she wasn’t also feeling that pull. But it had to eventually kick in. At least I bloody well hoped so. Because with every passing moment, my feelings for her only grew stronger.

“You do realize that if I already know that you’re my fated mate, then it’s just a matter of time before it kicks in for you too, right?” I tightened my hold on her, my head bent to hers as I breathed in her scent and brushed my lips against hers.

And though she kissed me back, it took but a moment before she broke away from our kiss, her eyes locked on mine. “You know as well as I do that that’s not always the case. There are plenty of instances where it’s ended up being a one-sided thing. And though I like you, fated mate or not, I’m not willing to let fate control my life—and you shouldn’t either.”

“So, you’d rather let gossip and people’s opinions of you dictate how you live your life?” With a shake of my head, I let her go and took a step back. “Can’t say I expected that from you, Cassie. Here I was thinking you’d tell me that you didn’t give a flying fuck what people thought of you, and as alpha of your pack, you’d do as you damn well pleased. Instead, you’ve been nothing but worried about how our relationship will look to people.”

“You’re a real asshole.” Cassie was visibly upset, and I hated that I’d pushed her, though I was only hoping she’d see that this decision should be hers and hers alone. Yet I’d upset her more than I’d expected to, and for that I was sorry. “You need to leave.”

“I hate seeing you upset, Cassie.” I closed the distance between us, needing her to know that I cared about her, and I wasn’t going to let her simply walk away from what was between us, even if it was only just getting started. Wrapping my arm around her waist, I pulled her into my arms, surprised when she let me. “I know this isn’t easy for you, but I’m not going anywhere. I swear, I only want to do right by you—and I can’t do that if you’re trying to push me away.”

“Why does everything have to be so complicated? Because I know that it shouldn’t matter how others see me—but it goes well beyond that.” She let out a weary sigh, her forehead pressed against mine as our breath mingled, her lips just a heartbeat away. “My relationship shouldn’t have any bearing on how people view me or my ability to lead this pack. But it does, even though it shouldn’t. People will look at this relationship and think my loyalties to my pack are divided. And if I ever decided to marry you—not that I’m saying I’d even entertain the thought—they’d not only think I was unfit to lead, but that I was traitorous, handing my pack over to our rivals.

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