Cronan is angry. Angry that after years of waiting, he's mated to the one wolf he never wanted.
Fen is stuck. Stuck in a state of purgatory that he doesn't know how to escape from.
After learning of his mate's crimes, Cronan never expected to see h...
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I couldn't remember a time when Nixon and I ever got along. We'd always been like oil and water, never mixing. Every conversation I had with him felt like a new battle in a constant war. I was sure it had to have been annoying to everyone around us over the years—especially Eli.
I typically tried to do whatever was in my power to make Eli happy growing up, but I couldn't get along with Nixon no matter how hard I tried. The man had a way of bringing out the worst in me, which was why his visit couldn't have come at a worse time. Seeing him on top of what happened with Cronan was already a recipe for disaster.
"You just don't stay away, do you?" Nixon muttered with crossed arms as we walked away from the others, including his mate.
I was sure the only reason he remained calm was because he didn't want to make a scene which meant walking away from the others could be a bad idea on my part. Still, I was tired of walking on constantly walking on eggshells.
"I think it's the other way around," I told him.
His eyes narrowed, and I could see the irritation flickering in them, the same old frustration that had always simmered beneath the surface whenever we were around each other. Nixon had a way of getting under my skin like no one else. Even now, with everything that had happened, he managed to rile me up without even trying.
"Don't twist this, Fen," Nixon said, his voice low and controlled, but I could hear the edge in it. "You're the one who always seems to be in places you don't belong."
I clenched my jaw, trying to keep my temper in check. It was the same old dance between us, and I was sick of it. But I wasn't about to back down, not this time. "I'm helping Ambrose, Nixon. You know, doing something useful. Maybe you should try it sometime instead of hovering around like some self-appointed judge."
"Forgive me if I don't believe you. I find it difficult to imagine you willingly helping another person after everything you've done beforehand."
My frustration bubbled and I was half-tempted to snap back, but I didn't. Nolan's words entered my mind and I silently sighed before saying, "I'm sorry."
Caught off guard, Nixon blinked a few times, trying to determine whether I actually just said that or not. "What?"
"I'm sorry," I repeated. "I'm sorry about the attack and what happened in the pack after I left. I'm sorry I hurt you."
He stared at me like I was an alien.
I couldn't blame him for the disbelief, though. Apologies weren't exactly my forte, especially when it came to him. We'd spent so many years at each other's throats that the idea of either of us backing down felt foreign. But I meant it, and as much as it stung my pride to admit it, I needed to say those words.
"I've spent more time than I care to admit thinking about us, you know. The us from childhood all the way to now. You and I have never gotten along, but what I did to you...the attack was too far. You, no matter how annoying you may be, didn't deserve that."
