Page 25 of Mated in Darkness

I liked him already.

And I would do anything to protect him. Not just because he was a submissive, but because the way he said Jason’s name told me that they knew each other and that they were friends.

I have no idea why my wolf told me these things, but I trusted her.

And God forbid any rogue or transformed wolf or whatever was causing these black marks came at Heath.

That was what made me a dominant, the need to protect those in my purview—those weaker than me.

“I am,” I said slowly, trying to pull myself out of my own rage.

“Well, he is there. He came home from whatever he was doing when I was finishing up my tutoring.”

“Do you have somebody to take you back to the den? It’s not safe right now.”

“My mate’s on her way,” he said with a smile. “I swear all you dominant wolves are the same. All about protection and growling.”

“Perhaps, but maybe I’ll wait here until your mate gets here.”

I didn’t have to wait long, the scent of dominant female wolf wafting through the air as Alice came towards me.

I hadn’t seen her at the funeral, but I recognized her scent. She had been on patrol, and that’s where I had remembered sensing her before.

“Kaylee. I’m Alice.”

She raised her chin but didn’t meet my gaze. I didn’t think it was a sign of submission, only that we didn’t have time for dominance games. Me being an unknown wolf in their territory meant that things got complicated when trying to figure out who fit where in the hierarchy.

“Kaylee was just here protecting me since I was standing all alone in this hallway.”

“You were supposed to be in the apartment until I got here,” Alice teased, before she leaned down and kissed her mate hard on the mouth. It was a sensual kiss, one meant for the bedroom and not public spaces, but I didn’t mind. They looked happy.

I could be that happy. If I just gave in.

And no, I wasn’t going to think about that.

“Thanks for watching out for him. Between traffic and the shit week that we’ve had, I was late.”

“No, you weren’t. I was early.” He sighed. “And I know everyone’s on edge. That’s why I’m not allowed to be left alone, like a little toddler, but I can protect myself.” He held up his clawed fingertips. “See? I’m a big boy wolf and everything.” He rolled his eyes, kissed his mate on the mouth, and then tugged her towards the door. “Jason’s waiting for you. Go meet with him.”

“Jason, is it?” Alice teased, before she gave me a finger wave and headed out with her mate.

I shook my head, feeling oddly jealous over the easiness the two had with one another.

I could have that. Couldn’t I? No. Not here. Not now. I needed to find who killed Spencer. And then I needed to go home.

Jason was here, not where I came from.

I didn’t have time for a mate. I didn’t have time to lose control.

Yet why did I feel like I wasn’t doing anything right?

I made my way upstairs, and before I could knock on the door, Jason opened it, a smile on his face. “I heard you guys downstairs. Thin walls.”

I shook my head at the flimsy door lock and scowled. “This isn’t a great place for you to be living for security.”

“There’s always a wolf on duty, and since I’m saving up for a house, that means I get this rat hole. Sorry.” He stepped back, letting me duck my head, blushing.

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t the one that called it a rat hole, though.”

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