Reunited with His Werewolf Beloved by Anya Byrne Page A

who his mother had been, but judging by Bobby's more delicate
looks and some of the abilities he'd never dared to use, he suspected he had a
Sidhe ancestry. Either way, it had led to some persecution in the pack. His
father's influence had helped some, but it wasn't until Mario, Alpha Adler's
son, had taken an interest in him that he'd truly been left alone.
    That had brought Bobby little comfort, because Mario had been
worse than all of them combined. Mario's stalking had been the main reason why
Bobby had given up the best thing in his life. The man had never forced himself
on Bobby, but Bobby had no doubt that it would have happened eventually,
perhaps once Mario took over as Alpha. Or at least, he would have tried to do
it. Bobby would have never allowed it, even if he had to show them all he
wasn't quite as frail as they believed.
    The lies, fear and pretending had become unnecessary now, and
Bobby didn't want to think about all the time he'd lost to it. He just wanted
to dream and hope that he could still mend what he'd broken. Yes, it would
probably lose him what little respect he had in his father's eyes, but Alpha
Nathan wouldn't push him to change himself. How could he? He had a human mate,
and he understood how it worked better than anyone.
    He realized he hadn't replied to his father's words when the
man gave him a concerned look. "Robert? Are you all right?"
    "Fine," Bobby quickly said. "Don't worry about
me, Father. It was all a big misunderstanding. I'm very happy about Alpha
Stone's leadership. I'll speak with him later and clarify the issue."
    He'd have done so now, but there were already other members
of the pack crowding around the Alpha, and Bobby couldn't stay here anymore.
"Please make my apologies, and let him know I'll explain as soon as I see
him again. You know I'm not very fond of crowds."
    His father sighed, but nodded. "Very well, Bobby. Go on.
I'll see you later."
    Bobby took advantage of his father's goodwill and fled. He
made his way through the forest, trekking toward his car as he mused over what
he was about to do.
    There were no guarantees that his mate would even want to see
him after the way things had ended between them. For all Bobby knew, the man
could have a different lover now. But Bobby had to try. If there was the
slightest chance that he might be able to rebuild their relationship, he needed
to make the attempt.
    In no time, he reached his car and slid inside. As he revved
the engine, the memory of his mate popped into his mind's eye. His breath
caught, and he set his hands on the wheel, close to hyperventilating.
    The last time they'd met, Bobby had hurt his mate so badly.
He'd been afraid of what Mario would do if he found out Bobby's secret, and he
hadn't wanted to risk his mate's life. But that didn't change all the pain he'd
caused, or the fact that he no longer had any right to his former lover's
affection.
    Bobby shook himself and started the car. The drive wasn't
long, but it still took forever, and it was difficult for him to focus on the
road. Paradoxically, he also seemed to get there too soon for him. As he parked
the car in the same spot he'd used for quite some time—even in the past years,
when he'd never gone inside the building—he mentally flailed, wondering how in
the world he'd ever muster the courage to face his lover.
    He could see TJ now, through the windows of the store,
talking to a customer. TJ held a small item in his big hands, and the way he
moved reminded Bobby of better times, of moments when he'd been the recipient
of both gentle touches and harsh pleasure-pain.
    When the customer left the store, purchase bag in hand, Bobby
finally stepped out of the car. He crossed the street and stepped into the
antique store, moving quickly so he wouldn't have time to change his mind.
    His mate was behind the counter, seemingly setting some
papers in order. "Hi, Jay," Bobby greeted him.
    TJ didn't turn toward him, not that Bobby expected him to.
The man had most