"You know Lila's new counselor. Harper."
"Yeah, what about her?" Marty's expression shifted to mild curiosity. "Is she working out, or have you decided to send her away like all the others?"
The question hit deep. Dorian had sent away four therapists and two healers in the past two months—politely but firmly. None of them had understood Lila's trauma, none had been able to reach past her walls. None had made his sister smile the way Harper had in just two days.
"It's more complicated than that."
Marty's eyebrows rose. "How so?"
Dorian dragged his hand through his dark hair. "I can't send Harper away because she's my fated mate."
The words hung in the crisp mountain air like a confession.
"She's what?"
"You heard me."
"Your sister's human therapist is your fated mate?" Marty's voice climbed an octave. "How the hell—when did?—"
"The mate bond activated two days ago when I shook her hand." Dorian's jaw clenched at the memory. "And last night we... may have kissed."
Marty stared at him for a moment, then let out a low whistle. "Wow, Alpha. You really stepped in it this time."
'Stepped in it' didn't begin to cover the magnitude of this disaster. His wolf snarled at the dismissive phrase, but Dorian forced himself to remain still.
"Does Lila know?" Marty asked, genuine concern coloring his expression.
"No. But she'll figure it out soon enough. She's too perceptive not to notice."
"Are you going to tell Harper?"
The question Dorian had been avoiding slammed into him with brutal force. Tell Harper that she was bound to him by forces beyond human understanding? That his wolf had claimed her as mate before she'd even stepped foot in his estate? That every instinct he possessed demanded he claim and mark and protect her from a world that had already hurt her too much?
"I don't know." His voice came out too rough. "Lila's finally responding to treatment. Harper seems to be getting through to her in ways no one else could. I can't mess that up right now."
Marty studied him with those too-perceptive brown eyes. "So you're just going to suffer in silence? Pretend the mate bond doesn't exist while she's living under your roof?"
"It's not about what I want." The words tasted bitter. "It's about what's best for Lila. For the pack."
"And what happens when Harper figures it out on her own? Because she will, Dorian. Humans might not understand the mate bond intellectually, but they feel it. Especially when it's this strong."
Dorian's hands clenched into fists at his sides. He didn't need Marty pointing out the obvious—that Harper had felt something powerful enough to make her flee last night. That the connection between them was growing stronger with every passing hour.
"Look," Dorian said finally, "you can't tell anyone about this. And tonight, I need your help."
"With what?"
"Harper's taking Lila and her friends out. I need you to follow them. Make sure they're safe. If anything suspicious happens—anything at all—you contact me immediately."
Marty nodded slowly. "I've got your back. But Dorian?" His expression grew serious. "You better figure this out soon, before it gets any more complicated than it already is."
Dorian didn't respond. Of course he knew he needed to figure this out. The obvious choice was simple: push his needs aside like he'd done since he was seventeen. Keep his distance from Harper. Focus on duty and leadership and protecting everyone who depended on him.
His wolf's response was immediate and violent, clawing at his restraint with savage fury.
How are you going to do that when she's under the same roof?it snarled.When her scent fills every room? When she looks at you like she can see straight through you?
Dorian had no answer. For the first time in eighteen years of leadership, he was completely, utterly lost.
