Page 18 of Convincing the Heartbroken Beta

Chapter Six

Sascha scurried back to the brown leather sofa so Cam and Brandon wouldn’t suspect he’d been eavesdropping. Or at least trying to eavesdrop. The damn suppressants were mostly out of his system, but there were still things like night vision and hearing that weren’t back to a hundred percent. He tried not to stress over it—since he had plenty of other things to worry about—but he was concerned he might never be a normal shifter again.

He settled against the back of the well-worn, hide-covered cushions and tucked his kegs beneath him. The soft, distressed leather smelled like old bison. At least his nose was still working well. It was how he’d known Brandon was his fated mate the second they got close.

Brandon and Cam entered the room. They both smiled at him as if they’d been practicing unconvincing expressions in the mirror. So far, Brandon was winning the fake smile wars.

“Hey, Sascha.” Brandon cleared his throat. “Feeling okay?”

Sascha nodded. “Okay enough.”

Brandon furrowed his brow. “Oh yeah. You need olives. I’ll be getting right on that as soon as you pick out your bedroom and…” Brandon’s eyes went blank. “Are there special olives I should be looking for?”

Cam stood slightly behind Brandon rolling his eyes. “Hey, I know. Let me head into town and grab the olives. I’ll be right back.”

In a move that happened so fast Sascha barely registered it, Brandon seized Cam’s arm and brought him to a halt so abruptly, he almost fell backward.

“Remember,” Brandon gritted. “I was going to do that, and you were going to stay here.”

Cam grimaced and tried to pry Brandon’s fingers off his arm. “Gee, I must’ve forgot.”

Sascha let out a sigh and wondered how his life had morphed from terrifying to ridiculous in only a couple days.

“Why don’t you both go get the damn olives.” He pointed at Brandon. “I know you don’t want anything to do with me.” Then he stabbed a finger at Cam “And you’re stuck being my babysitter.” Sascha narrowed his eyes at Brandon. “Show me what bedroom you want me in, and I’ll stay out of everyone’s way.”

Both men stilled, their jaws slack as they stared at him. Sascha huffed, crossing his arms and turning away. He had no clue what the pack rules were when it came to rejecting a fated mate, but he was on the verge of researching that information.

“Sascha?” Brandon’s voice was uncharacteristically soft. “I think we should have a talk, just you and me. Would that be all right?”

Sascha still wouldn’t meet Brandon’s gaze. “Don’t bother. I’ll be fine.”

His chest was tight, his stomach twisting. Tears were threatening again, and he was so sick of being such an emotional wreck. He wanted Brandon to fuck off, but he also wanted his Alpha to hold him.

But only if he means it. If it’s real.

Brandon spoke again, but this time it was to Cam. “You still have the ring with the key to the truck?”

Cam whispered something to Brandon that Sascha couldn’t hear, but Brandon’s response was plenty audible.

“Yes, Cam. Got it. I’ve held conversations before.”

“Yeah, totally. I knew that.”

Sascha chanced a look and caught the flush in Cam’s cheeks and the way Brandon was regarding him with affection, even if his tone had held a bite. Maybe if Cam hung around for a while, he’d be a good influence on Brandon. The beta was so easy-going and nice. In Sascha’s opinion, Brandon would benefit if Cam’s attributes rubbed off on him.

I would too.

Brandon rubbed the back of his neck. “So, Cam’s going to grab those olives for you, and I was thinking… Uh, do you like pizza? There’s a decent place in town. He could pick some up along with whatever else you want.”

Sascha fiddled with the zipper pull on the jacket he still hadn’t taken off right as his stomach growled. “Do they have venison?”

“I bet they do.” Brandon’s smile no longer appeared forced. “And if not, we can get some at the market and add it ourselves. What else?”

Sascha bit his lip. “Is root beer okay?”

Brandon grinned. “More than. Can’t have pizza without root beer.” Brandon regarded Cam. “Should you be writing this down?”

After preparing a list of Sascha’s requests along with a few other items Brandon said they’d need—as well as directions into town—Cam gave Sascha a wink before taking off. Sascha gazed up at Brandon once the door closed. They’d been alone on the drive back from the prison but had barely spoken two words. Sascha had made sure to pretend he was sleeping even when he wasn’t.