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“Let’s head back.”
Axel, Rage, and Trace joined Devon and me in the meeting room back at the packhouse. “Before we get started, there is something you all should know.” I had thought about this for the last few hours and knew I needed their help. We’d always been honest with each other, and I would tell them almost everything. They didn’t know that Ivy was my fated mate. Not just yet anyway. “I met a shifter, Ivy, at a bar when I went to speak with the alpha about the missing shifter. Ivy is a hybrid or a dual-natured shifter who used magic to knock me out.” At their gasps, I held up a hand. “I am positive it was unintentional.” When everyone’s shoulders relaxed, I continued. “And today at the library, she infused her voice with magic to immobilize Devon and me. My limbs felt like they were encased in quicksand.” Devon nodded his agreement. “Devon, would you share your experience with everyone?”
Devon cleared his throat. “When Luca assigned me to assist Ivy with the shifter killings. Fang overpowered me and I was as good as dead. But somehow, Ivy healed me.”
The questions came in rapid-fire.
“You didn’t shift?”
“What do you mean, she healed you?”
“How is that possible? What is she?”
I held up my hand to quieten the men. “I do not know but we are going to find out. Devon?” After he passed out a couple of books, I continued, “I want you to look for any clues about healing magic or controlling magic. There has to be something somewhere that can give us a hint about Ivy’s dual nature.”
“Yes, alpha,” was echoed by each of my men.
Axel leaned in and quietly queried, “What are you going to do?” He was the only one who knew she was my true orfatedmate.
I dragged a hand across my face. “Before, I felt conflicted. My head told me to wait, that I needed more information before I mated with someone I didn’t know. But on the other hand, my heart told me to mate with her the first chance I got. She’s powerful, and I feel this overwhelming need to protect her from the other supernaturals. The physical need to hunt her down and mate with her is overpowering at times, and I’m afraid my wolf will take over and make a choice for me.”
“That’s…” Axel grimaced, “a lot to think about.”
“Yes. And then today, I reminded myself that fate did not make mistakes.”
Axel’s eyes snapped to mine. “So, you are going through with it?”
I nodded. “But first, I have to persuade Ivy to agree.”
“Hmm…that shouldn’t be a problem. You are regional alpha, and as your mate, she would gain immense power.”
I only nodded, even though I didn’t believe it would be that easy for a second. “Okay, I’m going to go see if I can get some work done. Let me know if anyone finds any information about Ivy’s magic.”
“I will.”
Talking to my men had been the right decision. My shoulders felt lighter, sharing the mystery of Ivy. As always, I knew they would be supportive.
Walking into my office, I stopped dead in my tracks. Spread across my desk wearing nothing but a see-through lacy bra and a matching thong, Violet smiled seductively.
“Hello, Luca,” she purred.
Auburn hair fanned around her pushed-up cleavage, five-inch heels, and red ruby lips that I used to love seeing wrapped around my cock. I swallowed hard, not because I wanted to fuck her. No, I’d already told her it was over, and she needed to go home, back to her old pack. But I had left out the reason why, but maybe I should tell her.
“Get up, Violet. I need to talk to you.”
The smile dropped from her face as she sat up. I threw her the robe hanging on the back of my chair.
Violet joined the pack two years ago. I knew she had political aspirations and craved the power of an alpha female. I never deluded myself into believing Violet actually had feelings for me. But she was beautiful, and when she sought me out, I took what she freely offered. It was, at best, an on-again, off-again relationship.
Letting her fingers walk up my arm, she smiled, but it looked forced. “What’s going on, Luca? Have you finally decided to take me up on my offer? I would make an excellent mate.”
“No. As I’ve already told you, this,” I pointed between the two of us, “has to stop.”
“But why? We both enjoy it, and besides, I thought you liked me naked in your office.” A grin spread those ruby lips.
I took a step back. “It has nothing to do with you, Violet.” I hesitated and then gave a version of the truth. “I have met someone.”
She fisted a hand on her hip as her eyes narrowed. The scent of her anger and hurt made my nose twitch. I never wanted nor intended to hurt her, but I also never made Violet any promises.
