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Unthinkable.
But it’s an option,my wolf insists. And I know it is, but obviously not one Tasha would appreciate.
I need to take my mind somewhere else. A distraction. She just smells so good against me. Our scents mingle on her skin thanks to my clothes. I considered asking Leah for clothes she could borrow, but now I’m desperate to keep her in mine instead.
Focus.
Find a distraction.
“Tomorrow, I want you to show me what you can do.” They’re the first words I can think to blurt out. Her body stiffens even more in my grasp.
“I can’t.”
“It’s okay. I don’t want to hurt you or make you fight. I just think it would be good for us to have a full scope of what you’re capable of. If anything were to happen, I’ll feel better knowing how much you can handle.”
“I can’t,” she repeats so harshly I take my eyes off the ceiling and look into hers. She looks so helpless right now. Defeated.
“Why can’t you?”
“Because…” She glances away and lets out a soft sigh. “I don’t know how it works, and I don’t think I have any control over it. The first time it happened, I assumed it was because of Tess. But now…”
“Hmm.”
“I’m not lying,” she says sharply.
My head jerks back. “I didn’t think you were.”
“Oh.” Embarrassment floods her cheeks. “The Sovereign Pack has made me a little sensitive,” she mutters.
That doesn’t seem right.
“I don’t mind if you’re sensitive.” I like the idea that it might mean she needs me more than she’s letting on. “But whatever the hell they were doing with you, it’s over now.” That part might have come out a little harsh.
“Paxton, I’ll have to go back eventually.” This time when she pushes against me, I let her go. She moves to the other side of the bed, but at least she doesn’t leave me altogether.
I don’t know how to tell her no. I can tell she really believes she should be back with the Sovereign Pack, but it feels like brainwashing to me. If that pack only exists to protect the Luna Sovereign, why the hell would they be doing anything to make her sensitive?
You don’t form a strong leader by breaking them down.
There’s something off about the Sovereign Pack. I can feel it. And if it means keeping Tasha safe—whether she wants me to or not—I’m going to get to the bottom of whatever the hell it is.
9
Tasha
A noise startles me awake.
I blink rapidly to adjust to the pitch black of the room, my heart pounding. I can feel Paxton pressed up against me in the bed even though I told him I was going to bed by myself. I would never admit it to him, but I’m relieved he stayed with me as I fell asleep.
When I tried to go to sleep alone, my wolf worked herself into a ball of anxiety. Coupled with my actual anxiety from the exhausting day, I was in no position to sleep by myself.
Right now, Paxton’s the closest thing I have to an anchor keeping me steady as we navigate all the turmoil around us.
That doesn’t mean I’m accepting all the nonsense about him being my…Mate.I roll my eyes in the dark, forgetting my fear momentarily, then stiffen when I hear the noise again.
There are footsteps out in the hall that are much too heavy to be Leah. I consider waking Paxton up but think better of it. I don’t need him to save me; I’m perfectly capable of protecting myself.
Except against him, apparently. Which I should probably take more time to consider when it’s daylight and there aren’t footsteps prowling outside my room.
