Nothing like where I grew up.
The club warehouse was where I was most comfortable. I frequented seedy bars and decrepit buildings, run-down mechanic bays and parts shops. Here, it felt like I was one wrong move from shattering anything I touched.
Including Talia.
I tightened my grip on her. She trusted us despite our background, so it wasn’t fair to get up in my head about feeling out of place. Conrad and West were giving her enough trouble as it was.
My job was to be strong and make sure she was confident in how much we loved her and wanted her, even when my packmates pushed her away out of fear.
“You seem… off,” Talia murmured.
I almost cursed.
Hiding the insecurities from her was going to be impossible if she insisted on being that damn perceptive.
“New place, is all. Takes some getting used to.”
She shifted in my arms so she could look up at me. “I know the house and the family are all a bit much. You’re allowed to be overwhelmed.”
“I’m not overwhelmed.” My rebuttal came a little too quick. I cleared my throat. “I can handle it.”
Talia reached up and grabbed a strand of my hair, tugging and twirling it around her finger. Her thumb caressed my cheek and the overgrowth of stubble I hadn’t had time to tidy up yet.
“I don’t believe you.”
I closed my eyes. She had to believe me. If my omega believed me, it would be true. I’d stay strong forever if she thought I could.
As long as she needed me, I wouldn’t let the sting of my father’s betrayal catch up to me. I wouldn’t have time to wallowin the disappointment I felt over the club taking his side and not trusting me.
“Please don’t say that,” I whispered.
“We don’t have to talk about it,” Talia replied. “But I’m here for you if you want to.”
I exhaled shakily, pulling her until her breath warmed my neck and I could rest my chin on her head. “Can I ask about your childhood? It looks like your parents gave you a chance to try a lot of hobbies.”
Her fingers traced circles on my chest as she responded. “They did. Piano, ballet, painting, archery. I can speak three other languages conversationally.”
“Fuck,three?”
“Italian, Ukrainian, and French. I’m not going to win any eloquence awards anytime soon, but I understand the basics and can speak enough for people to understand me. Helps out at the hospital sometimes.”
My mate was basically as educated as a foreign diplomat. I was from the bad side of town, and my main skill was simple motorcycle repairs.
This wasn’t helping me feel less overwhelmed, but it was an opportunity to tell her more about my father.
“Did you end up sticking with any of the hobbies?” I pressed her for more information instead of offering a tidbit from my childhood.
She shrugged. “Not really. My artistic skills are better than the average bear, but I don’t find painting or drawing as relaxing as some people do. I was always terrible at dance and musical instruments.”
“If you stopped doing all those hobbies, what do you do with your spare time, then?”
“What spare time?” Talia laughed. “For the last few years, it’s been nothing but work and Benjamin. That relationship was half my personality.”
She rubbed the top of her head up against my chin, but didn’t show any outward signs of distress. The memories of him were impacting her less. Was that a good thing? I should have asked Dr. Jalisco for more information on this type of trauma before leaving the Residence.
“When he’s gone, what will you do in your spare time?” I asked.
“I want to know about you.” She turned the question back around on me. “We don’t know enough about each other.”
