Chapter 7

Seven

HENDRIX

The incessant ringing from the kitchen reminds me that I left my cell behind when I called our guy to pick up the tea. Josh left just minutes ago and should have a report within hours. Kato’s face flashes across the screen, and before I can say hello, he’s already complaining.

“Pick up the damn phone, Drix.”

“Yeah, I’m here.” It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask about Evie and Ares, but I don’t, knowing I haven’t earned that privilege.

“Ares is going into heat!” The words burst from his lips. “You need to get here now, Drix. Now!”

“Calm down, K. What do you mean Ares is going into heat?” I sink onto the couch; my legs can't support my weight any longer.

“I mean , fucker, that she’s going into heat. She needs you.” His voice escalates into meltdown mode.

“K, listen. You need to calm the fuck down. Everything will be fine. How far along is she?”

“I don’t know, man. I’ve never…” He trails off, not admitting what I already know. He’s saved himself for our mate, just like I have. “Please, get here. She smells so fucking good—I’m losing my mind. And she’s asking for you.”

“The hell, Kato!” My words were barely recognizable through the rumble in my chest. He may be my brother, but my wolf won’t tolerate disrespect. “You don’t get to say shit like that to me.” The knot in my throat expands to my chest—a pain that’s unbearable. There’s no way she’s asking for me after what I’ve done to her, to us, to our fucking family.

“Drix, I’m not fucking with you. She keeps asking for you. We’ve talked—all of us—and we’re in a really good place. We can rebuild this.” He pleads, understanding my torment.

“You’re sure?” Insecurity threads through my question.

“Yes, brother. Come. She’s waiting for you.”

My heart cracks again. How could she forgive me? “I’ll be there.” Clearing my throat, I confirm louder. “I’m on my way.”

Kato doesn’t wait; he hangs up, igniting my adrenaline to get to them, to beg her forgiveness before touching her. My wolf surges forward, leading the charge back to the other half of our soul.

As I fling the door open to sprint to the car, Tamera stands on the other side, blocking my path. Her presence startles me, especially after my suspicions.

“Tamera… what are you doing here?” My fist tightens against the door handle, trying not to scream at her, demanding to know if she’s been messing with me.

“Tamera? Why so formal? You always call me Tam.” She tilts her head, trying to be cute. It doesn’t work, and right now, I don’t know why I always defended her to my brothers.

She tries to walk in, as she normally would, but I don’t move, blocking her way. “What do you need, Tam? I’m getting ready to head out.”

Double blinking, she studies me, narrowing her eyes. “You’ve not been into the office, so I wanted to stop by and check on you.” She inches closer. “Oh, and to bring you more tea.” She holds up another tin of her homemade herbs for tea.

My wolf growls, but I catch the noise in time before she notices. “Thanks. I’ll put it in the kitchen before I go.” The couple of sips of tea I took earlier relieved the withdrawal symptoms but didn’t slip me back under any influence, offering clarity for the first time since high school.

“No.” she says slowly and then gestures inside. “You want me to make you a cup? Are your brothers home? I could make them some, too.” She has done this several times, annoying me further, knowing she’s trying to influence them as well.

“Naw. I’ve got somewhere to be.” Dismissing her cuts another invisible tether.

“Are we okay?” she asks, tilting her head again. “You seem off.”

“Did you slip me something the night of our senior party?” Might as well figure out one piece of the puzzle, while I wait for the lab to return the other.

Her eyes widen, but quickly settle, trying to exude calm. “What… What’re you…”

“Remember, I’ll smell your lie.” No matter how she spins it, the smell of rotten eggs surrounds her before she finishes her first sentence. Her mouth opens and closes like a fish on land, and I have my answer. “How could you?”

“It’s not what you think!” She reaches for me, trying to push her sincerity through touch. “I just wanted us to loosen up and have a good night.”

“By what? Drugging me out of my fucking mind! I still can’t remember half the night. Do you know what you cost me?”

“You weren’t supposed to drink both cups!” She yells back at me. “You downed yours and then grabbed mine. I couldn’t stop you before they were both gone.”

“You think maybe you should have told me—or told my brothers, so they could have helped me. What if I overdosed?”

“Oh, please. You were fine. All you did was follow Ares around like a fucking stalker when you were supposed to be my date! Then you snuck off with her! Do you know how embarrassing that is!” She slaps her hand over her mouth.

My eyes lock onto hers, my wolf baring our teeth in a threat. “How do you know I was with her?”

“Nothing. No…” She backs quickly off the porch as I step closer. “I mean… I followed you… but I left. I didn’t stay. I don’t know what happened after.”

The stench of lies thickens in the air around us. “Lies. All of it.” As I advance again, my phone rings, distracting me. It’s Kato.

The moment I glance down, Tamera scurries to her car and drives away, dust kicking up in her wake. My wolf doesn’t like that we let her go, but getting to our mate is our priority.

Instead of giving chase, I answer my phone without greeting. “I’m on my way.”

“You better fucking be. She’s been asking about you, and I told her you were coming. Don’t fucking let her down again—or us. Get your ass here, now!”

The reminder that I fucked up weighs heavy on my chest, but I’m not about to compound it.

When her address is plugged into my GPS, I realize she’s only thirteen miles from us. This entire time my mate and baby have been within grasp, and I’ve been too busy wallowing in my own guilt to see clearly.

Only a handful of steps towards Ares’ door and her sweet honey and caramel scent envelopes me like a warm blanket—like coming home.

There’s a moment of hesitation before knocking, doubts plaguing every thought. How can she contemplate forgiving me? I don’t even forgive myself, and that’s the biggest issue.

Knox opens the door and yanks me inside by the shirt. “It’s about fucking time. She doesn’t have much longer before the heat takes her completely, and we wanted you two to have time to speak before things progressed. You owe her that much, asshole.”

My wolf growls but knows he’s right.

When we round the corner into the living room, her scent hits me like a mack truck, calling to my very soul—the exact sensation I’ve only experienced once before.

My fated mate.

Our fated mate.

Maddock sits next to her, while Kato kneels at her feet, her fingers threading through his hair. I see the moment she catches my scent because she stiffens, and then her eyes shoot straight to mine.

“Ares…” Her name is a whispered plea begging for forgiveness, wavering with emotion I long thought dead.

She whimpers in return, buckling my knees with the force of our connection, causing them to slam to the ground. Her lower lip trembles, unable to speak, even though she tries.

“K, give them a moment.” Knox’s voice mumbles, tightening the air around us.

Kato growls, glaring over his shoulder in warning as he moves from our mate’s lap, sending a silent message—do not fucking hurt her again. Her skin flushes as her chest heaves with heavy breaths. She’s absolutely stunning.