Page 32 of Drew

“I’ve been on my own for years. I can take care of myself. I’ve been dealing with Mitch for over a year. I can handle him.”

“He’s a shifter.”

“What?” All the gusto left her. She seemed to shrink before his eyes. “No.”

“Yes. He is.”

The anger left her gaze, fear taking its place. “You’re sure?”

He nodded slowly. “Yes.”

“Oh my God.” She made her way to the couch and gingerly sat down.

“This whole time...” Raising her hand to her mouth, she shook her head back and forth. “Do you think he knows I am?”

Drew studied her before shrugging. “I don’t know. I didn’t. I knew you were my mate, though.”

“How? How did you know I was your mate?”

“By your scent. I knew you were mine by your smell, but I didn’t know if you were a shifter or human. But your smell was so alluring and powerful, and it just changed everything for me. You smell unique and definitely not like any pack I’ve come across.”

“So he might not know?”

“I doubt it, but he’s probably drawn to your scent. I bet it’s why he’s been following you. Now, though, he knows that Maddox and I are shifters, and likely he’s reevaluating what he knows about you.”

“If he’s drawn to my scent like you are, then how do I know he’s not my mate?”

Drew’s molars ground against one another. Jealousy spiked through him, hot and fast, but when he looked at her, he knew she wasn’t baiting him, but honestly in search of an explanation. “Are you drawn to him? Do you enjoy his scent? Does he make you aroused from just one whiff?”

Her nose wrinkled. “He smells rancid. No, I was never drawn to him.”

“But you’re drawn to me.”

He had to be clear.

Her gaze rose, those brown eyes burning into him. “I think I’ve more than proved that in the last twenty-four hours. What we’ve done together, what I let you do to me… It was foolish to allow, but I couldn’t seem to stop myself. My wolf has never felt this, this—”

“Alive?” He supplied.

“Content.” She rose and paced. “But all this time, I thought I was safe from Mitch, that if he ever tried to hurt me, I’d be able to defend myself easily, even kill him if necessary. But now, that sense of security was all a lie. When I think of how vulnerable I’ve been, the risks I’ve taken…” Her voice trailed off.

“You aren’t alone now. You have the pack and me to keep you safe.” She stopped pacing at his admission. “But that means you listen and obey when I give you an order, especially if it regards your safety.”

“My safety, yes. But you can’t control me in other ways. I won’t allow that.”

“When it comes to the pack, my word is law, which goes for your safety and theirs. Everything else between us can be a discussion, but this, your safety, is not up for debate.” He thought about that. “Well, I make the laws in the bedroom, too.”

Alyssa grinned along with him but taunted, “I think that should be up for discussion too.”

Her smile died, a little crease appearing between her eyebrows. “But I still need to protect myself. You won’t always be available. This morning proved that. There are some things I need to know. Can we die? Will I live forever? I already know I heal quickly, but am I immortal? Do I have any other powers I don’t know about? What exactly is involved with imprinting? How does a pack work? What do I do if Mitch comes back?”

Drew held up his hand to stop her rapid-fire questions. “I should have taken the time to answer your questions last night. That’s my fault. And I left you vulnerable today. Again, my fault. It won’t happen again.”

“You didn’t know about Mitch, plus you left that other guy to watch me. At least, I presume you did. Why did you do that?”

To be honest or not? He looked at his mate. Honesty would always win when it came to Alyssa. “I wasn’t sure if you’d try to run.”

Her mouth formed a surprised little O before she snapped it shut. “I’ve been on my own a lot. I was looking out for myself, constantly on the move. The impulse is still there, but I’ve always wanted a permanent home. A family. Someone who cares about me.”

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