“No, wait! Hear me out.” Wiley started to pace the small area between the two couches, his hands waving about in his excitement. “I’ve been talking to Dane about his powers and how they relate to Clay’s. The Earth Weaver in some ways is a healer. He can heal plants and use his powers to help the earth. Grey has also said that when he’s connected to Clay, he can help calm Grey’s mind and get rid of headaches. Maybe he can do something similar for all the Weavers, we don’t know yet. Logic would state that Baer’s mate might be able to do something similar, but for the animal world. Maybe his mate’s powers would be about healing animals. Maybe not. But I do believe this person could at least amplify Baer’s gift. That could give him an edge when going up against this witch.” Wiley paused, standing in front of Baer, his expression a strange mix of excited and sad. “At the very least, your soul mate might be able to help Ruby.”
Baer held out his hand to Wiley and the other man instantly took it. “Thank you so much. Thank you for all your hard work and trying to save Ruby.”
“Of course. I’d do anything to help you…and the Circle.” Wiley squeezed his fingers and then released him. “I was also thinking…that it’s time for me to leave.”
“What?” Baer bellowed, jumping to his feet and forcing Wiley to take a step away.
“I’m a distraction. If I leave, it will be easier for you to find and connect with your soul mate.”
Baer paced away from Wiley, his hands clenched into fists. “This is fucking bullshit. I don’t care about soul mates and all this other crazy shit. I don’t want to lose Wiley. I can’t lose him!”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake! I can’t take it anymore,” Grey groaned loudly. “Baer, will you stop and fucking think for two seconds!”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Baer snapped, spinning to glare at the Soul Weaver.
“Why can’t you let him leave?” Grey demanded.
“Because he’s mine! I love him! I can’t breathe without him near me. I don’t give a shit about you or anyone else. Wiley is mine,” Baer finished, more animal growl than human.
“And…” Grey waved one hand as if presenting a new prize on The Price Is Right, his voice so thick with sarcasm, Baer could feel its weight on his chest. Or maybe it was the realization that had been staring him in the face for days. Possibly even weeks.
“Wiley is my soul mate,” Baer said in a near-breathless whisper.
“What?” Wiley squeaked.
Grey managed a small smile at Wiley. “You’re Baer’s soul mate.”
“Oh,” Wiley murmured. He took a step and just sat down right where he was in the middle of the floor. Actually, it looked like his legs had given out on him.
“And you knew! You never said anything!” Baer roared. He started toward Grey, but Clay and Lucien were jumping to their feet, holding Baer back. Rage flooded through his veins. All this time, all this torment of feeling like he had to give Wiley up, and Grey never said a goddamn thing.
“Of course I never said anything!” Grey shouted. “You were so excited when you brought him here, embarrassed that you thought he was a Weaver, guilty that you’d gotten all his hopes up. And then Wiley was a bundle of insecurities and fears. If I’d told you he was your soul mate, you would have fucked it up.”
“What—”
Grey jumped to his feet and got right up in Baer’s face. He was no longer straining against his friends’ hold, but he was still tempted to punch the Soul Weaver.
“Look me in the eye and tell me you wouldn’t have fucked this up,” Grey growled. “Tell me you wouldn’t have been your usual reckless self. After everything you’ve learned about Wiley over the past three weeks, tell me you wouldn’t have fucked things up. Tell me he would have been in safe hands.”
Grey’s angry words stopped Baer cold. Of course, the Soul Weaver knew about Wiley’s insecurities and his struggles with OCD. If they’d told Baer and Wiley on day one that they were soul mates, Baer wouldn’t have slowed down for a second. He would have recklessly bulldozed Wiley, probably overwhelming him and triggering one panic attack after another. He would have unwittingly hurt Wiley before he even took the chance to learn about him and what he needed.
Okay, even as pissed and stunned as he was, Baer had enough common sense left to know that he would have definitely fucked it all up if Grey had told him.
“Maybe,” Baer grumbled.
Grey tossed his arms into the air and marched to his chair. He threw himself into it and crossed his arms tightly over his chest. “Maybe, my ass. You don’t realize it, but you’ve changed over the past few weeks, Baer. You’re more thoughtful and considerate. You’re thinking shit through, and that’s what your mate needs.”