The Beta's Missing Mate (Book 16 Of The Regal Eclipse Pack Series)

Chapter 41

Aidan nodded, and his gaze darted down the hall when he heard Ana's door open. "Aidan?'

He exchanged looks with Zane, then headed back down the hall to Ana's room. "What's up?"

"Is someone here?" she asked.

"My brother is here. What do you need?" he asked her.

"I think we should talk," she responded, crossing her arms and staring up at him.

She was so beautiful. Much more so than he remembered. He could stand there and stare at her all day, though it would be better if she was naked and he could freely touch her, taste her, mate her. And now he was hard again. "We will, but I can't right now." He stopped, turning his head. He could hear someone at the door. Malachi. "I'm in the middle of something, Ana. We'll talk soon though. It's important that we do."

She stared at him for a long moment, then her gaze darted back down the hall when Zane opened the door and let Malachi in. She tensed, and Aidan wanted to reach out and touch her, but he didn't. He had a feeling she was afraid of Malachi, and frankly, he couldn't blame her. "Okay. I'll wait." She stepped back into her bedroom and closed the door in his face.

Aidan sighed softly, staring at it for a moment, then walked back down the hall to the living room and sat down on the other end of the couch from his brother.

"How is she?" Malachi asked him.

"I have no idea really," he answered. He hated that he didn't know, but right now, Ana had no reason to talk to him. Or at least express her feelings.

"Does she know what you are to her?" Malachi asked him quietly.

"No, not yet," Aidan said.

"Don't wait for very long to tell her," Malachi warned him. "If you wait too long, it might not go over very well."

He knew Malachi was right. He needed to make things right with her, and then let her decide if she wanted to accept him or reject him and release him from this hold she had over him. Aidan dropped his head into his palms. He needed some time to himself so that he could get his emotions under control. He was over all of this and just wanted some time to breath.

"So, what's up?" Malachi asked Zane.

"Bianca, the she-wolf Aidan is supposed to mate is my fated," Zane told him.

Malachi's eyes flickered in surprise, and his gaze darted to Aidan, then back to Zane. "Is this why you took off to Colorado alone?"

Aidan's gaze darted to his brother. Kai was just as perceptive as his grandfather and great grandfather.

"Yes, Alpha," Zane grumbled, sitting back.

Malachi glared at him, though he didn't say anything.

Zane sat staring straight ahead, not meeting his Alpha's gaze. "I apologize, Alpha. I know my behavior was reckless."

Aidan watched the two of them quietly. Malachi could be harsh, but he knew if it was Noelle, Kai's mother, she'd probably have Zane's balls in a vise. He was also well aware that it was only because they cared. Running off halfcocked alone was not a good idea. Too many things could happen, and Kai preferred they didn't do pack visits alone. He had a feeling Zane wasn't getting off that easily either. But it was none of his business. He was sure he'd end up hearing about it anyway.

"Have you talked to Bianca since Ana showed up?" Kai asked, directing his attention at Aidan.

"No. I need to go do so. I was going to ask you about her possibly joining the pack before I found out about Zane. I'd like to give her that option so that she could have a second chance one day," Aidan said. "Great Lakes holds a lot of painful memories for her."