Still—if the choice was staying in Durga or being with Luke, her mate won every time.
Jameson pulled away, ruffling her hair. “It’s good to see you, brat. I’ve missed you.”
“Jerk,” she muttered affectionately, pulling away from the hand that was still messing up her hair.
“Don’t tell me you turned into one of those women who obsess over their appearance now that you got a man.”
She turned around at Karis’s teasing, hugging him tightly. Pulling back, she glanced at Vynn, unsure. He’d changed a lot since finding his mate, but she didn’t know if it was enough to make him a hugger.
But he surprised her as he wrapped his arms around her briefly. “It’s good to see you, Tarun.”
Her eyes began misting over and she blinked rapidly. It wasn’t just because Vynn hugged her, although that was some of it. She just hadn’t realized how much she missed the War Cats until some of them showed up.
She heard the door open behind her just as she saw Jameson stiffen. Her eyebrows rose before furrowing, glancing between him and Luke, who was walking out to meet them. Her brother had always been laidback, more so than anyone else in the tribe. And he’d always liked Luke. It couldn’t just be because she found her mate, could it?
“Jameson, Karis, Vynn. It’s good to see y’all. Thanks for coming.”
Jameson nodded stiffly, not replying, and her frown deepened as Luke begun talking to the others. Grabbing her brother’s hand, she dragged him away, stopping once they were standing by the tailgate.
“What the hell is your problem?” she hissed, glaring at him. “You like Luke.”
“Not anymore.”
She didn’t say a word, just continued to glare, and he exhaled as he ran a hand through his hair.
“You’re in danger because of him, kid. Did you really think I’d be okay with that?”
“That’s bullshit, Jamie.”
His eyes narrowed. “And just listen to you. You never used to curse.”
“Yeah, because that must be his fault too, right?” she asked sarcastically. “Did it ever occur to you that I can be me here more than I ever could in Durga? And he’s not putting me in danger. This isn’t his fault, and besides, he’s told me to leave multiple times. I refused every time.”
He blew out a breath, rolling his eyes up to the sky. “That, I can believe. You’re one of the most stubborn people I know.”
“Don’t hold the fact that I refuse to leave against him. And please understand that this isn’t his fault. He didn’t ask for this.”
“I get it, Tarun. I do. I’ve been blaming him because I needed someone to blame for this situation, and I guess I got used to it.”
“Blame the asshole doing this. Not Luke.” She studied him for a moment, relieved that he didn’t look pissed off anymore. “So you’re not mad at him anymore, right? You’re gonna be civil?”
Her eyes narrowed as he hesitated. She was just opening her mouth to let him have it when he finally spoke. “Maybe it’s not his fault. You’re right about that. And before you bring it up, I know he cares about you. You’re his mate—he’s hardwired to care about you. And you’re right about me liking him, too. I know he’ll take good care of you.”
Cocking her head, she searched his eyes, confused. “Then what’s your problem?”
“He’s the reason you won’t be coming home.”
“He won’t keep me from visiting, Jamie. You know him better than that.”
“I know you’ll visit. But you won’t live there again. He’s basically taking you away from me, kid. I don’t like that, at all.”
Her heart warmed as she stared at him. Lord, she’d won the freakin’ jackpot when it came to brothers. “It’s not like you won’t be busy. You’re the head trainer, and you have Cady and your cub. You’ll barely even notice I’m gone.”
“You know that’s not true.”
“Think of it this way. Would you rather have me mate a War Cat?”
He shuddered. “Hell, no. None of them are good enough for you. I would have rather you stay at home, single forever.”