Chapter 36-2
“Did you two not get along?”
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“He was my alpha. I pledged my loyalty, and when I asked to leave, he understood. I have no beef with him. I’m pleased he’s letting me stay as long as he is, but he’s a little uptight.
A proper alpha. That was the mask he needed to present. Trust me when I say you were not the mate he had in mind.”
“You’re not telling me anything new,” I said dryly.
“No, I suppose I’m not, but he seems to be trying.” Dean glanced at Finn and shook his head. “Look, you said Finn’s your friend, so I’m just going to go ahead and say this in front of him. I’m not just here to honor my father. The last time we spoke, he asked something of me.”
Finn straightened, and Dean cleared his throat and took a moment to collect himself before continuing. “You should know that my father hasn’t asked anything of me in a very long time. The first time he called me after I left, was the first night you stayed at the bar. You made him want to reconnect with me, so when he asked me a favor, I couldn’t say no.”
I frowned at him. “If you want the bar, you have to clear it with Troy first. The deed is in my name, but I can’t hand it over to you without clearing it with him first.”
Staring at me, Dean smiled softly. “My dad was right about you. You don’t like to delve too deep, do
you?”
Annoyed, I narrowed my eyes. “What?”
“It’s not the bar that Parker wanted me to have, Kiana. It was you.”
Finn growled, and my wolf was right there with him. Immediately, Dean held up his hands. “No, no.
Shit, no, not like that. I’m sorry. I should have been clearer. Not take you as a mate but take you
away from here if you needed it. Protect you. That’s what I’m offering you.
I’m a strong wolf. If you want to leave, we can change your name, leave this place, and I’ll protect you. That is what my father wanted.”
Stunned, I gripped my beer bottle. Parker had asked Dean of this? If Dean had come just a few months ago, right after his father had died, I would have even considered it.
Considered, but not gone through with it. Dean might have been Parker’s son, but I didn’t know him. I would have never put my safety in the hands of a strange man.
“You’re shocked. Did you not think my father loved you?” Dean asked softly. “He had a hard shell
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<Chapter 36-2
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around him, that was for sure, but he did. Your safety was his priority. You were the daughter he never had, and that is why I know you were not responsible for his death. I think.
You brought some joy in his life. I’m almost jealous. I could never do that.”
“I am shocked,” I said finally. “And I would be a fool not to keep your offer in mind, but Troy is my mate. It’s a difficult situation to navigate, but I owe it to my wolf to navigate it.”
And I owed it to Parker. He was the one who told me that when Troy could give me a chance, I
should take it.
“Good,” Dean said with a grin. “I’ve done my part with the offer. I’ll be here for a little bit longer, but before I go, I’ll give you a way to contact me. My cell isn’t always reliable in the woods, but there’s a hub that keeps messages for the wolves that live in my area.”
“A hub?” I grinned. “How civilized of you.”
“We do our best. Plus, I’d like to keep in touch with you anyway. We can swap stories about my
dad
and help keep his memory alive. And the offer is open anytime you need it, even if it’s a few years
from now.”
“An offer?” Troy drawled from behind me. Dean’s eyes widened, and I stiffened. Finn was the only one who didn’t react, probably because he’d seen Troy standing there. “And just what offer would
that be?”
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