Throughout it all, Conall struggled to keep his attention focused.
As the meeting concluded and pack members began to disperse, Quinton nudged his shoulder.
You sure you’re okay?You seem distracted.
I’m fine.Just tired from yesterday.
You’d tell me if there was something more, right?Quinton’s dark eyes, identical to his own, searched his face.
Guilt twisted through Conall’s gut.Of course.No secrets.That’s always been our rule.
Quinton studied him a moment longer, then grinned, his serious expression dissolving into mischief.Well, maybe the Stardust Pack not showing up is for the best.I heard their alpha has quite the crush on you.
What?Conall blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in conversation.
Oh, come on,Quinton teased.You know Dylan Montoya has had her eye on you since that interpack conference last year.Anders said she practically drooled every time you walked by.
He’s imagining things.Conall dismissed the comment with a wave of his hand.Dylan was just being diplomatic.
Right, ‘diplomatic.’Quinton used air quotes, his grin widening.
Yes.Which you’d know if you’d been there last year.
That’s why she specifically asked if you’d be present when their delegation arrived.
Drop it, Quin,Conall said, more sharply than he intended.
Quinton raised his eyebrows, surprised by the vehemence in his twin’s voice.Okay.Touchy subject.Got it.
Sorry,Conall sighed, running a hand through his hair.I’m just… It’s been a long twenty-four hours.
No problem,Quinton said easily, though his expression still held a hint of confusion.I’m going to help Una with training this morning.You good to work with Anders on that footage?
Yeah.Conall nodded.I’ll catch up with you later.
As Quinton headed off, a small fissure in their usually seamless connection trembled through Conall.
It wasn’t just the lie about the mate bond.It was the feeling that, for the first time in their lives, they were on diverging paths.
The thought left him cold.
Problem?Anders said from behind him.
Conall turned to find the lead guardian watching him with that penetrating gaze that suddenly seemed more disconcerting than usual.
No,Conall said automatically, then amended,Maybe.I don’t know.
Anders gestured toward the hallway that led to the building’s converted basement.Walk with me.The security footage isn’t going anywhere.
They moved through the building in silence, Anders’s presence oddly comforting despite his reputation for emotional detachment.The former military man had always maintained professional distance from the pack, focusing on his duties rather than personal connections.
At least, until Etta had arrived and turned his well-ordered world upside down.
You know,Anders said conversationally as they descended the stairs to the basement,I used to think I had everything figured out.My role.My purpose.My place in the pack hierarchy.
Conall made a noncommittal sound, unsure where this was going.
Then Etta showed up,Anders continued, his voice softening slightly at the mention of his mate’s name.And suddenly, nothing was as straightforward as it had been.
