Page 23 of Possessive Alpha

And the last is something I’ve only heard of but never seen in action.

The ability for a mated couple to share thoughts and emotions on a mental level. There would be no hiding how you felt or what you felt, and it’s the biggest reason that I’ve spent the last two weeks running away from Ty.

A connection that deep would be permanent, and right now, I can’t offer Ty permanence when I have a metaphorical foot out the door.

Ty couldn’t have heard our conversation, so that can’t be the reason for his frown.

But I still wonder.

“You okay?” Ty calls across the forest.

I smile and nod. “Fine.”

His eyes flick to my head. “Offer still stands to kiss it better,” he yells.

And I swear he yells at least twice as loud as he needs to be heard.

“Why do I have a feeling you wouldn’t stop there?” I mutter under my breath, asking myself if I’m a fool for passing up the offer of a hot, shirtless alpha offering to kiss my sore head better. It isn’t sore anymore, but he doesn’t need to know that.

Regan snort giggles, and I turn away from Ty’s boyish grin, leading the way to the house.

“He’s persistent,” I say.

“He’s also determined to prove he has your back,” Regan says softly, her amusement fading. “You and Clara have been here for a month, and I wondered if you were running from trouble, or if you thought about staying. Jackson and I would love it if you did.”

My footsteps slow to a crawl.

Trouble was after us.

The drive from Minnesota would have taken a day or more if we’d gunned it. I stretched it out over a month. I’d wanted to be sure no one was following, so we took the most circular, roundabout way we could, stopping often to pick up the odd job here and there to pay for all the gas we were using up.

But no one followed.

For the first time, I feel safe. I’ve stopped looking over my shoulder, stopped waking up in the middle of the night to check on Clara, and no longer have a go bag ready by our door.

Dawley and life here in this beautiful three-story farmhouse in a peaceful forest on acres of land doesn’t only feel like home. It’s the first place I’ve truly relaxed in six years.

Safe.

I never thought I would ever feel this way.

“There’s no trouble,” I tell Regan, already missing her.

We reach the back porch, and she moves ahead to pull the door open, giving me a long look. “Well, Clara seems a little unsettled, but I think you’ve settled right in. Haven’t you?”

Observant.

We’re a package deal, Clara and me. Always have been. Always will be.

“It’s complicated,” I explain.

“Well.” Regan smiles. “Let’s hope we find a resolution to that complication, huh?”

There’s only one. Leaving. It’s about finding a place where Clara can be happy and safe, even if that place is on the other side of the world.

Away from Ty.

Because there isn’t anything I won’t do for my little sister.