Page 6 of Trusting Her Mate

Something cruel flickers there.

“You should be careful, Wren. Your mother is worried sick.”

The words hit exactly where he aims them.

My breath catches.

He knows I called her from the bus station. He knows she helped me. Or suspects. If he hurts her because of me—

Peyton’s hand brushes mine.

A grounding touch. A reminder.

I breathe.

Dax sees it. His eyes narrow.

Then his expression changes. He studies me more carefully, nostrils flaring.

My stomach drops.

The scent-blocking tea should still be working. Xavia’s old recipe passed through desperate females in whispers. Bitter as regret, but effective. It hides distress. Masks arousal. Muddies personal scent just enough to make tracking harder.

But I’ve been walking for hours. Sweating. Scared. Surrounded by wolves.

Dax steps closer. “Interesting.” He smiles, slow and ugly. “You came here alone. No family. No escort. No claim.” His smile turns predatory. “Unless the Katu Alpha plans to keep every runaway female who gets cold feet.”

The air vibrates with warning.

I know what he’s doing. He can’t force me out if Caine grants sanctuary, so he’s attacking the legitimacy of my request and making me look like a foolish female avoiding duty, not someone in danger.

And suddenly, horribly, I understand the problem.

If I’m unmated and contract-bound, Ashstone can drag this through pack law.

If I’m under Katu protection, Caine can delay.

But if I belong to someone else—

No.

Terrible idea.

Absolutely not.

My mind grabs the thought anyway and runs with it like a wolf stealing roast chicken.

Dax looks at Caine. “Unless, of course, there is a stronger claim?”

Silence.

My pulse pounds.

Do not do it, Wren.

I open my mouth.

“I already have a mate.”