Billionaire Alpha's 99 Deadly Games novel Chapter 177

“I worry too, you know.” He took a deep breath and I felt like talking about feelings wasn’t really his thing, but I needed to hear how he felt. “When you went missing.” He struggled to continue and I stayed quiet to give him time. “I thought I’d lost you forever. You don’t know how terrified I was. I had just found you and then you were just gone. My first job as your mate, and I hadn’t been able to protect you. I didn’t fight Kyle on his decision to banish me, because I couldn’t disagree with him. My most important job should be to protect you, and I didn’t.”

“You couldn’t, because I didn’t let you. Not because you weren’t capable, but because I was fighting you every step of the way. It’s not fair to take that all on yourself.”

He squeezed me tightly, but remained quiet as he battled his own demons. This was my fault. Not

his.

“If I hadn’t run away like a coward, if I had just had the guts to talk to you about how I was feeling,

none of this would have happened and I’m sorry.”

“Don’t take that all on yourself. Neither one of us handled this well. You were the last thing I expected to find coming to San Marco, but once I had your scent, it was like I was obsessed. I was arrogant and hurt at the same time, and I should have just been grateful to have found you. I should have

tried to understand what was going on with you. My obsession made you more of a conquest than anything and I was blinded to your needs. I’m sorry.”

“We both need to just stop apologizing. I’m tired of being scared of saying or doing the wrong thing. I’m tired of hiding from the people I care about. Peggy, from work, she mated last month and I didn’t even know. I’ve not just been hiding from you, but from my life and everyone in it, and I’m just tired of it. I’ve missed just being me. Sometimes I wonder if I even remember who that is anymore, and I

know you’ve never actually met her.”

I chanced a look up at him. I was raw with honesty and didn’t think I could handle it if he laughed, joked, or rejected me in this moment. I had never felt this vulnerable in all my life as I was lying there, literally naked, pouring my heart out in Patrick O’Connell’s arms.

He smiled. “I haven’t exactly been at my best either. Tell you what. Why don’t we stop worrying

about the bond and just get to know each other?”

“Huh?” I wasn’t sure I had heard him right.

“Elise, we have the rest of our lives together. I want to know who you are, the real you. I want this to

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Billionaire Alpha’s 99 Deadly Games

84.2%

Chapter 177

work, and I want to do it right. So, Elise–I don’t even know your middle name–Westin, will you go on a date with me tonight? New year, new start.”

It was my turn to smile up at him. “Cameron. Elise Cameron Westin, and yes, I would like that.”

“It’s a date then!”

My mind was suddenly swirling. A date! I had a date with my mate. That was quite unorthodox, but I loved the idea of spending time with him and getting to know him. I cared for Patrick O’Connell, but I couldn’t say I loved him, not like Mom loved Dad or Kelsey loved Kyle, that forever kind of love. At least I didn’t think so. Time to get to know him and maybe even actually fall in love with him

seemed almost like too much to hope for.

The phone rang, reminding me that my headache was still there. I saw Kelsey’s face smiling back at me and wanted to throw it across the room. “Hello?”

“Well, good morning to you, too. Wanted to check and see how you were feeling this morning. Lily already called in sick. Massive hangover. Figured you were even worse off, but Liam said Christine was coming in this afternoon for an interview and you’re apparently expected to be here for it.”