3. Bryce

3

Bryce

E ntering the charity gala at city hall, the tingles of nerves radiated through my body. My wolf paced internally and kept pushing at my skin. I even growled at the parking attendant for not grabbing my keys quickly enough. I hated being an impatient prick but, right now, I had little control over it. If I am lucky, I will see Connor earlier than not and gain some calm after speaking to him. I closed my eyes and imagined my body growing roots into the floor, grounding me to the moment. Trying to invoke calming energy, I played with the Blue Lace Agate I kept in my pocket, one of the last gifts I received from Connor before I left town ten years ago.

My papa had confirmed that Connor would be attending the festivities. Papa had also been able to verify the fact that he was still, in fact, single. I hadn’t asked him to do such detective work, but, when once I was back for good and told him I was still in love with my high school sweetheart, Papa’s romantic scheming side was unleashed. And all the elders in town probably already had plans of helping make Connor mine. Would Connor accept me after all these years apart? After all, we’ve had no contact. What if he had changed or if he thought I had? Ten years was a long time.

There was enough security that Bruno and Hector stayed at the hotel, though they’d have their phones nearby if I called. They confirmed the details of the event with the organizers and familiarized themselves with the building and staff in case they needed to rescue me. I was glad this allowed those two alphas to relax away from their regular lives. I believed Valleywood had a plan for them.

“Bryce, is that you?” Turning, I found my high school friend Benjamin McCauley walking toward me from one of the tables to the left of the doors. His familiar green eyes were such a distinguishing feature that even after a decade of distance between us, I recognized him. I felt my lips stretch into a smile thinking of all the shenanigans we use to get into growing up. I’d missed more than Connor since I’d been gone.

“Ben? It’s been a long time.” Hugging the man, I gave his back a couple of friendly slaps. “It’s great to see you here. How have you been?”

“It’s good to see you as well.” Ben smiled and looked around the room. “It’s been a good life for me. No complaints. Man, I wasn’t sure you would be here. I was shocked when I saw you on this year’s attendees list. I thought for sure you’d avoid the area, since Connor is coming tonight.”

“Why would I do that? There’s no bad blood between the two of us.” I would never avoid Connor, though he’d seemed to do that enough for both of us throughout the years. “I actually have been looking for him since I got into town. Have you seen him here yet?”

“I assumed it would be like any other breakup. Usually when two kids in love break up suddenly after years of dating, rumors suggest there’s going to be drama. But you’d know your relationship with him best, I guess. Yeah, I saw him tonight.” Ben scanned the crowd and pointed to my far right. “He was near those tables about ten minutes ago, speaking with Ashley and Noel Perkins. But I don’t see him there now. If I find him before you do, I’ll tell him you wanted to meet him.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it. I’d love to catch up with him. Now, tell me how you’ve been?”

As Ben discussed the last few years of his life in Valleywood and meeting his boyfriend, Lenard, I kept my eyes on the area near the table where he last saw Connor.

You can hide, Connor. But this wolf is good at tracking his prey.

A wave of the most intoxicating scent overwhelmed me, and I leaned into Ben, sniffing. It wasn’t coming from him though.

“What is that delicious smell?” I searched the tables around us, looking for some desserts that would explain the scent. My mind was having a hard time focusing on anything else. Even my wolf had noticed it. “It smells like freshly baked blueberry muffins. Don’t you smell it?”

“I don’t smell anything like that, man.” Benjamin sniffed and scrunched his nose. “Are you sure that’s what you smell? I’m catching a mix of colognes but nothing like what you describe.”

“No, it’s not cologne. It reminds me of my grandma’s kitchen every fall as a child.”

“Odd. I don’t smell anything like that. I wish I did.” Ben shifted his weight to his other leg and nodded to the area behind me. “Hey, look. There’s Connor. Why don’t you speak with him and we can catch up later? I heard from my dad you are out here permanently now, so we have time.”

“Sounds good. Thanks, man.” I patted his back and turned around. “I’ll catch you later.”

It would have been lost on me if Benjamin had said anything after that. The moment I turned around and met Connor’s eyes, the invisible tie between us flared to life and tugged me closer to him. His steps were hesitant, but he moved toward me as well. The closer he got, the stronger the scent of blueberry muffins became. Connor Hughs was my true mate, the first boy I kissed, and the only man I have ever loved.

Suddenly, Connor froze and shook his head. Eyes widening and his hand covering his nose, my mate turned and ran toward the hallway doors.

I chased after him, sending thanks to Fate for such a gift.

Oh, Fate, you’re a wonderful thing!

Connor

Fate, you are an asshole!

The spicy, comforting scent of eucalyptus and lavender assaulted my senses when Bryce cornered me in the bathroom. I had been entranced with his scent and the tug of Fate’s lines between us for a moment before fleeing, overwhelmed with the idea that the boy I had loved and lost was meant solely for me. I thought I could seek refuge in one of the rooms at city hall, but none were open to the public, so the bathroom was my only choice. Unfortunately, he was able to follow me right in.

I closed my eyes as the emotions washed over me, losing myself in the memories that flooded my brain and the phantom stings that clawed themselves back up to the surface. A small whimper escaped me as he leaned even closer into my space. “Bryce.”

“I’ve missed you so much, my sweet Connor.” Bryce inhaled deeply into my neck where it met my shoulder and growled, his inner wolf present in the sound. A delicious tingle filled my body, and I closed my eyes, fighting the urge to give in to him. Oh, how I wanted to lean into his body and let him kiss my neck the way he used to when we were younger. “You always smelled good, but now you smell like mine.”

“You left me.” I paused and tried to put strength behind my words, making my voice less weak. I am no longer that naive young boy. I am a successful author who has a damn good life. “You chased your dreams and left me and Valleywood behind. Why are you here now?”

“For you.” A wet tongue slipped out and licked the spot that would have been where his mating claim would go. Euphoric energy zipped through the touch, and part of my boundaries cracked. “I always was going to come back. I told you that. There had always been a pull to come here and back to you, my true home.”

I needed to pull myself away from his enticing smell and the warmth of his energy before I did something I would regret, like letting him claim me in a bathroom at city hall. “It’s too late, Bryce.” I pushed at his chest enough to get some space between us. “It’ll hurt too much the next time you pack up and leave. You have your hockey team and fans out there needing you.”

“Don’t you hear me, Connor?” Bryce leaned back into the space I had created. “I said I was back for good. I am never leaving you again. I’m done playing hockey, but my soul was trying to tell me for years to return here, even if I wasn’t.”

“I don’t believe you.” I pushed back, slid out from his arms, and walked toward the bathroom door. “I’m done talking about this with you. Please just leave me alone. Pretend I don’t exist for the rest of the time you visit here.”

“It’s not a visit, Connor. I’m home for good.”

I couldn’t allow myself to believe him, couldn’t fall back in love with him and be hurt again. Fate or not, I had to protect my heart from the one man who had the power to destroy it. “Goodbye, Bryce.”

“Connor, wait.”

But I didn’t wait. I couldn’t. Once in the hallway, I ran out of the building and toward my house.

Forget my car. It can stay there overnight. And screw what else Bryce has to say.

He left me ten years ago. I wouldn’t allow him a chance to do it again—no matter what Fate says.

Fuck you, Fate. Why are you ten years too late?