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“I feel guilty,” I admit, tracing circles on his chest with the tips of my fingers.
He grabs my hand, his touch gentle, stopping my movements. “You don’t need to feel guilty about us coming here. I told you that.”
“I don’t feel guilty about that. I mean, I do, but that’s not what I’m talking about. For all her faults, Hester did help us. She kept us safe, and we just left her behind.”
His face softens—not for her, but for me. “You have such a kind heart, but you shouldn’t waste a minute of sympathy on that woman. She lied to us. She knew vital information all along. She could have helped us fight the Order with what she knew. She made her choice, just as we have.”
I know he’s right. Hester and her lies could have had a terrible impact on us, and yet she felt no remorse.
“We should have asked more questions,” I whisper as I relax into Jackson’s arms, soaking in his warmth.
“She would never have told us anything else. I wanted to believe she was on our side, but this information coming to light only proves that all Hester cared about was herself. We’re playing a game, Dove, and we don't know the rules. I’m tired of being a pawn. There are things we still don’t know and others we may never find out.”
Ice fills my stomach at his words, because I know what he is thinking about. It is the same thing that has been on my mind, too. I sit up, brushing my hair back from my face. “Do you think we’ll never find out if we had a child together?” My heart twists at the thought. I have to know.
“I hope so. If we have a kid, I want them back with us before I put more pups inside you. If we don’t, I want one when this shit dies down.”
My brows come together. “You want to get me pregnant?”
“Is it that hard to believe that I want to possess every part of you?”
Heat builds inside me, and I wonder how I will ever be able to let Jackson go should his true mate suddenly appear.
My wolf bares her teeth, and I agree with her.
There is no way we would step aside for another woman, even if she has that bond with him. I try not to think about it, because if I do, I will fall apart. I have to believe that we can make it against the odds, that our feelings for each other are strong enough to get us through whatever comes our way.
“What are you thinking about?” he asks. “You look kind of pissed.”
“I was just thinking about what I’ll do if your true mate turns up.”
He laughs. “From your expression, I’m guessing something violent.”
I give him my fiercest look.
“I don’t care who she is—if she comes to claim you, I will fight her. You’re mine, Jackson. All mine.”
I kiss him, biting his bottom lip with enough force to draw blood. He gave me his mark, and although I cannot return it, I make sure to let him know in no uncertain terms that he belongs to me.
When I pull back, I watch the bead of blood weep from his lip as the copper-iron taste of it coats my tongue. Jackson smirks, not a hint of anger on his face. “I like it when you get possessive like that.”
“I mean it, Jackson. I won’t step aside for her. I know you won’t be able to help it, and you’ll be drawn to her because of the magic, but I will fight for you. For us.”
His eyes soften, and I like it when they do. It makes me feel special. “You won’t need to step aside, because there is no other female who could interest me. I only have eyes for you.”
“You’d better,” I warn.
“Maybe Callum can help us figure out how to do a chosen mate bond.”
“You think he would know? Isn’t it an alpha thing?”
“It’s a magic thing that has been passed down through alphas for generations,” he corrects. “If it’s magic, it can be replicated, even if Cade can’t do it. Have faith, things will work out.”
“I have faith in you,” I say as I climb off him, giving his chest a pat before I walk into the bathroom.
I sashay my hips, giving him a show as I go. When I turn to look over my shoulder, I don’t miss how heated his eyes are as he takes in my naked form. That is not something he can feign. The look of pure desire in his eyes drives me crazy. I want to see that look directed at me every minute of the day. The thought of losing it leaves an ugly feeling within me.
When I step into the bathroom, I catch sight of my flushed cheeks. A smile works at my lips until I realize Jackson hasn’t followed me.
