The Other Part of Me
Chapter 51

Braden

After Orphea had overseen the males as they made the batter for a honey cake, she gave them explicit instructions on how to bake the cake in the outdoor clay oven so it wouldn't burn. The two, one-time friends were sitting around the oven, waiting for it to bake. Orphea went to tend to Caspian's mouth, which was severely cut-up, and bloody, only Moon Goddess knew why.

After a long silence between the two males, Braden knew it was time to tackle the conversation twelve-years in the making.

He turned to his former-Beta. "Why did you leave the pack when we really needed you?"

Talon snickered. "Well, I guess we need to get this conversation over with, don't we?" He said bitterly. His eyes remained on the oven. "But I'm sure you know the answer to your own question."

Braden shrugged. "I know it had to do with Demi, but what I don't understand is why you left without asking what my decision would be."

"Do you think I would have been able to withstand looking at her after she rejected me for you?" He asked flatly. "If you had accepted her, it would have been a slap in the face every time I looked at you together." He shook his head. "Even now, I don't know how I'll tolerate seeing you and Cassie together."

Braden frowned and stared at his friend. "What do you mean?"

Talon looked at his friend squarely. "I'm in love with Cassie." He confessed. "I felt a pull to her from the moment I saw her." He stood. "And like Demi, all she wants is you, you bastard." He looked away. "I tried to kiss her once, you know." Braden stood immediately, ready to tackle his friend.

"Relax, she rejected me too, but she did it with such kindness-it only made me love her more." He expelled a breath and looked away. "She only wants you."

Braden released a sigh of relief. "I'm sorry, brother."

Talon gave him a side-eye and went to check on the cake. He carefully spun it 180-degrees with the tools his mom had left with them. "Don't be. Second-chance mates exist for a reason. I'm confident Moon Goddess will take pity upon my poor unrequited-lovers-soul and have your life-thread cut earlier by Atropos so I can be with her." He crossed his arms, looking at Braden. "I hear Alpha's have a shorter lifespan due to the stresses of leading a pack. How's your blood- pressure? Any issues with cholesterol? Can I interest you in a seven-pound bacon burger with cheese?"

Braden laughed, Talon joined him.

"You've been lucky in love, Braden." Talon stated soberly.

Braden sucked his teeth. "Demi just wanted me for the Luna title. She didn't want me, whereas Cassie had no idea what a Luna was when she agreed to be with me. I knew then Moon Goddess sent me the perfect mate." He looked towards the shelter Cassie was staying in. "Can you imagine the pressure of being a half-human Luna presiding over a pack full of wolves? She had no idea what was in store."

Talon stared at Braden. "If anyone can do it, she can. Look at how she easily man-handled Caspian's loyalty with those bright-green eyes of hers."

Braden snickered and nodded. "I just hope she can come back to me." He said solemnly as he walked to the oven to check on the bake of the cake.

"Oh, Alpha Braden, I'm getting *Hansel and Gretel* ideas. Don't tempt me."