The Reluctant Cougar (Rise of the Alpha King's Heir)

Questions and Thoughts

In the weeks that followed in between his Mate visits, Ben put every last ounce of energy into his training. He didn't want to think. He didn't want to feel. If he allowed himself to think, he'd think about how much he missed Eileen, and then he'd be swamped with how much being away from her hurt. If he allowed himself to think, he'd get pissed off again that his parents were acting like children and not talking things out like adults. If he allowed himself to think, he'd remember that every time he moved on the training field he was making life worse for his roommates because his Coach had put him in an impossible situation.

Usually Ben didn't mind problems. A problem was a puzzle to solve, something to fix. The real issue was he didn't feel like these were things he could fix. At least at the moment he saw no answers...

"Shit...Cougar...for the .... love... of .... just slow...down!" Jessup groaned next to him.

Ben glanced at his roommate, startled from his thoughts. "Where'd you come from?"

"You...already...passed me...once," Jessup wheezed. "Can't... run... another... five miles... today."

Ben slowed his pace, jogging beside Jessup, "Sorry. A lot on my mind."

"I... know...was there...that first... weekend."

Ben breathed deeply, slowing to a walk and wiping his forehead with his hand.

"Oh, thank Wayden," Jessup breathed, holding his side and slowing his pace as he gulped deep breaths.

They walked together for several minutes, eyes darting up and down the trail to make sure Coach Hail didn't see them 'taking it easy'.

"Do you need to talk?" Jessup finally asked.

Ben glanced at him and shrugged, "What's talking about it going to do? It won't change anything."

Jessup nodded, "Thought I'd ask. Sometimes talking makes people feel better. Women like it when you talk about your problems."

"We aren't women."

"Mmm. So are you going to stop moping like one, then?"

Ben glared at him, "I'm not moping!"

Jessup rolled his eyes but said nothing as they continued walking.

Ben growled, his mind racing. Finally after a deep sigh he blurted, "My dad always said my mom was the most important thing in his life. I always knew where I stood in the family--a step below her to my dad and a step above him to my mom. Somehow they both always put themselves last."

Jessup nodded, listening.

"I don't understand why they'd do this. Eileen said she could feel them hurting, that they still love each other. Why would they do this?"

"Sometimes love's not enough," Jessup said simply.

Ben's brows drew together, "What do you mean?"

"A relationship is built on more than just feelings, Cougar. It's a bunch of stuff, including a decision to stay together during rough times. Those butterfly feelings come and go, even if people are madly in love. There are other things though, things that make a relationship solid, things like friendship, respect, and trust. From what I heard, it sounds like that Anna woman found an insecurity and exploited it."

"She really is a--" Ben bit his tongue. His dad had never allowed him to call a woman that word. Still, if any woman deserved the title--

"Don't kill me, Cougar, but that insecurity had to be there for it to be exploited."