Angel Blackwood(99)

“Angel?” Nixon voice breaks through the silence.

Angel whips her head up and a small gasp leaves her lips as she gets up on wobbly legs. Nixon bumps past me and Angel jumps into his open arms, wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist as he lifts her up and holds her tight.

Angel squeezes her eyes shut, but I can still see the tears running down her face.

“You don’t ever leave me like that again, okay?” Nixon’s voice sounds pained. My wolf starts stirring within me again; he doesn’t like seeing our girl in another man’s arms.

I don’t like seeing it either, it causes a pain in my chest.

I should be the one holding her, comforting her, giving her the affection and adoration she craves, but I don’t deserve to smell her scent or feel her small body cuddling into my warmth.

I’ve been such a selfish prick.





Angel nods her head, holding him tighter. I can feel the tension thicken in the room when my brother walks in and finds Angel in Nixon’s arms.

“What the fuck’s going on in here?” Talon snarls.

Angel quickly jumps away from Nixon’s hold and Nixon stands protectively in front of her.

Talon walks up to Angel and she backs away until the bed behind her forces her to stop moving. She cowers away, her eyes finding mine. She’s scared and she’s searching for someone to help her.

I want to be that person, I want to hold her and take away all the shit that she’s been through since I’ve met her. If I could, I would take away all the pain she’s ever had to feel and make sure she never cries a single tear again.

I don’t know if I deserve to be that person anymore.





Gentle tugging on my arm brings me back to the scene in Kate’s bedroom. I look down to see Kate’s concerned face.

Kate. Perfect Katie.

She has been nothing but good to me. How am I supposed to just leave her? What happens to us once I mate with Angel? If I mate with Angel. Fuck, this is too hard.

“Tyler, come.” She tilts her head in the direction of Talon and Angel. Talon’s vast form almost hides Angel from view. I move so that I can see her, making sure she’s okay. Her face comes into view, she’s looking up at Talon so lovingly, his hand cups her cheek and her small hand covers his.

How I’ve missed touching her, keeping her safe from any harm and in my arms.

“Come on, man. Let’s go get some air,” Nixon says, putting a hand on my shoulder. My feet don’t want to move, but I force myself to leave.





After I close the door, I find Kate in the spare bathroom wiping at her eyes.

“You okay?”

She jumps, quickly clears her throat and avoids looking at me.

“Uh… yeah… I’m fine, honey.” She stutters and I know it’s a lie.

She tries to get past me, but I stand in the doorway blocking her exit.

She looks up at me with red rimmed eyes.

“What’s wrong, babe? Talk to me.” She tries to get past again and again I block her. “Please, Kate,” I repeat, softer this time.

She looks up at me and it’s the first time I’ve ever seen her pissed off.

“You need to control your thoughts, Tyler. You basically aired them to the entire room,” she spits out, pushing past me. The guilt I was already feeling only intensifies.





ANGEL POV





When Talon’s warm hand cups my cheek, I can’t help but melt into it; I’ve been longing for his touch.

“Come here.” His voice is rough and when I open my eyes I find him staring at me so intently. I place my hand on top of his, I don’t want him to stop touching me.

“Come here, baby,” he says. His other hand reaches for my cheek now, his thumbs gently caressing my bruised jaw. I watch as his eyes flicker from black to blue.

“I’ll kill that bastard for hurting you. He will never get away with this, Angel,” he promises.

“And no more jumping into Nixon’s arms like that, my wolf can’t take it; I can’t take it. If you want your friend to live another day, you need to keep that shit to a minimum. I’m here now, I’m not going anywhere, baby. You want to jump into someone’s arms? Mine are wide open,” he gestures, spreading his arms wide. I immediately hate the gap between us.

“You want to wrap your arms around someone? I’m right-fucking-here. Not going to leave you again. I’ve been a terrible mate, I will apologise to you every single fucking day until you forgive me. I’m so sorry. I do love you, Angel. I love you so fucking much. Being without you has been fucking torture.” His eyes turn glassy. I lift my hand up and place it on his cheek, his stubble pricks my fingers, but I don’t mind. I’m touching him and he isn’t pulling away.