Page 29 of Talk Howly to Me

Kozue's expression grew sheepish, and he ran a hand through his already tousled hair. "I wanted to tell you. But I knew how overwhelmed you were from what happened to you the other night, and I didn't want to make you feel uncomfortable or more overwhelmed."

Overwhelmed.

That was certainly one way to put it. She'd gone from underground fighter to potential kidnapping victim to guest at a supernatural lodge to sleeping with a wolf shifter in the span of forty-eight hours. Overwhelmed didn't begin to cover it.

"Well, I appreciate that," she said, settling onto the arm of the leather chair rather than the couch where they'd been intimate. "But I also would appreciate complete honesty from you going forward."

Kozue's green eyes blazed with a burning intensity that made her breath hitch. The way he looked at her—like she was something valuable and desired and worth fighting for—made her want to forget she was supposed to be upset with him. Made her want to cross the space between them and lose herself in his arms again.

Focus, Sloane. You need clarity, not another round of mind-blowing sex.

"I promise," he said, his voice carrying a weight that suggested he didn't make such commitments lightly. "From here on out, complete honesty."

She studied his face, searching for any sign of deception. But all she saw was sincerity and something that looked dangerously close to devotion.

"Well, then," she said, steeling herself for his response. "Can you tell me exactly how you feel about me? That last night meant something to you?"

Kozue moved closer, closing the distance between them with slow, deliberate steps. When he reached for her face, cupping it gently in his large hands, she should have pulled away. Should have maintained the boundaries she was trying so desperately to establish. Instead, she found herself leaning into his touch, her eyes fluttering closed as his thumbs traced along her cheekbones with reverent tenderness.

"Sloane," he said, his deep voice thick with emotion. "Last night was incredible, and it meant everything to me. And I meant what I said last night—I will give you the world if you let me." He paused for a moment. "But there's something you need to know. Something I can't hide if you want complete honesty."

Her eyes snapped open, meeting his gaze, and there was something in his expression that made her stomach clench with anticipation and dread.

"What is it?"

Kozue's hands tightened slightly against her face, as if he was afraid she might bolt when he said whatever he was about to say.

"The main reason I bolted this morning was because of the triad mate bond."

Sloane pulled back from his touch, confusion flooding her system. "What do you mean by triad mate bond?"

Kozue's hands fell to his sides, and she could see him gathering his courage for what was clearly going to be a difficult explanation.

"Well, in the shifter world, wolves have a fated mate. Like a soulmate, but much deeper than that. It's a supernatural connection that binds two people together on every level—emotional, physical, spiritual. And well… you are my fated mate."

The words hit her like physical blows, but before she could fully process them, he continued.

"But you're also Ronan's fated mate. We have what's called a triad mate bond."

The world tilted sideways, and Sloane felt that familiar sensation of everything solid beneath her feet turning to quicksand. First wolves. Then supernatural rogue attacks. Now she was apparently the destined mate of not one, but two powerful shifters.

This is too much. This is all too much.

"What does that mean?" she managed to ask, though her voice sounded distant to her own ears. "How does that even work?"

Kozue looked genuinely uncertain, like he was navigating uncharted territory himself. "I don't know exactly, because usually a mate bond is between one wolf and his fated mate, not between two wolves and a shared fated mate. So to be honest, Ronan and I are struggling with it ourselves."

A shared fated mate.

The phrase echoed in her mind, bringing with it a flood of implications she wasn't ready to consider. No wonder she'd felt such an inexplicable pull toward both men. No wonder every touch, every glance, every moment in their presence had felt charged with significance she couldn't understand. But knowing the reason didn't make it any easier to accept.

"This is too much to process right now," she said, moving toward the windows that overlooked the forest. She needed distance, needed air, needed space to think without Kozue's presence scrambling her thoughts. "I'm sorry, but I won't be able to work today. I hope you understand. And I'm not entirely sure if I'll be able to work tomorrow either. I need some time alone."

"Of course," Kozue said immediately, his voice gentle and understanding. "I'll let Ronan know. Take all the time you need but let us know if you need anything. Or if you're not comfortable asking us, you can reach out to Emerson."

Sloane nodded without turning around, keeping her gaze fixed on the trees beyond the glass. She heard his footsteps cross the suite, heard the soft click of the door closing behind him, and only then did she allow herself to breathe fully. She turned back to the sitting area, her gaze falling on the untouched tray of food he'd brought her. Her stomach growled, reminding her that she hadn't eaten since dinner last night, but the thought of food made her feel vaguely nauseous.

Wolves. Triad mate bonds. Shared fated mate.