Page 22 of The Wolf Prince's Fated Heart

"Are they wolves or witches?" Cassidy asks, confused.

She's a smart woman, my wolf comments. That's an excellent question.

"I don't know," I say. It pains me to admit it. "We don't know much about them. They came to the scene fast and strong. Thanks to their inside man, they are pretty good at avoiding cameras and having the footage erased before anyone sees it."

"That's impossible," Cassidy argues, crossing her hands.

"Is it?" I ask. "You heard me talking. You experienced me shifting. What part of this isn't possible to you, if you're so sure about the lack of possibility being possible."

"Okay," Cassidy replies. She draws out the vowels a little too much as if she's talking to a kindergartner. "Even though I can't dispute that magic animals exist..."

"Shifters," I mutter.

"Pardon?"

"We like being called shifters, not magical animals," I correct her.

The room goes quiet, neither of us saying a word.

Are you okay, Cassidy? Do you have any other stupid questions? my wolf asks with a sarcastic hint in his tone.

To my surprise, she listens to his gentle urging as if she can hear him. "I know what shifter means," she continues, "it doesn't exactly make sense. I'm still sort of hoping that you slipped something in my drink."

"Well, my kind exists," I say stubbornly.

"Okay, fine, you exist," she gives in and rolls her eyes. "Either way, it's getting late. If you don't mind, I'd like to get some sleep."

"Fair enough," I agree, then glance around. "I'll take the sofa."

"Excuse me?!" she exclaims, her jaw slack and eyes bulging.

"No offense," I raise my hands in defense. "I mean it in the most respectful way, but since I've revealed to you the secrets that could destroy me and my family, I want to make sure you don't tell anyone. Which means sleeping on your sofa. We can continue our conversation in the morning."

"You..."

I expect some colorful language, but to my disappointment, she gets a hold of herself.

When she wants, Cassidy Strayed has the discipline of a world-class sniper, my wolf points out.

"Fine," she sighs and her shoulders fall. "Make yourself comfortable. And don't even try to peek, or I'll use the wolf inside you for target practice."

And I look forward to it, my wolf says, clearly enjoying this type of feistiness.

With a wicked grin on my face, I disappear into the living room where I remove my shoes, then lie down on the sofa, thinking of tomorrow's plan.

Do you feel safer with her now? my wolf asks me, interrupting the calm flow of my thoughts.

Not sure, I answer.

Then why the hell would you reveal yourself? he asks harshly.

It's a chance I had to take, I say stubbornly. I don't want to kill her.

Bullshit, my wolf exclaims. You just want into her panties.

Let's just go to sleep, I urge him. She won't do anything stupid today. Not with us being on the other side of her bedroom door.

If you weren't so damn proud, we could be on the same side, he comments. I can't believe you managed to keep a straight face when you told her that no part of us wanted to touch her.

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