Page 41 of Protector Dragon's Shattered Mate

He looked at the door. “Are you sure Sofia’s not out there?” His bond link was a little iffy.

Kellan got up to look. “She’s not. I saw her go outside.”

“I know it’s not popular to say this, but in a way, I’m glad I killed him. I wouldn’t have chosen it, not if he hadn’t come after her like that, but he never would have given up. I know Maxim was scared of Niall, but Koryak was different.”

“I agree.”

Levi blinked. He hadn’t expected that. “You do?”

“You know my history. We spent years trying to create treaties with the coven that killed my clan. We tried everything. In the end, it came down to us killing them. They came after our children, our mates, and us. They left us no choice. I just wanted to say that I understand.”

For some reason, that was the best reassurance he could have imagined. Hearing from someone who’d been there was good. He was relieved that no one in the clan was judging him.

“Thank you,” he said, forcing the words out.

The next day, he felt much better. He was able to get up and join the clan for brunch. Several of the shifters had cooked a huge spread complete with mimosas to say goodbye.

Most of the clan was going to return to their own homes that day. Kellan had several jets taking the shifters who lived farther away, and a few were all flying together on commercial planes. He was sad to see them go but felt better when Quinn suggested they add in a few more get- togethers throughout the year.

“Yeah!” Brennan held his champagne in the air. “Kellan’s loaded. We already have a Halloween festival, and this year we did a boat tour. So why not do more? Let me throw us a party a few times a year.”

Kellan laughed. “If you organize them, I’ll pay.”

Liam held up his phone. “Why him?” Liam asked. “I’ve already found us a set of villas in Costa Rica that will host up to eighty of us.”

Immediately the chatter rose in volume. Everyone was excited. Levi thought it would be good for the clan, and good for him. If he didn’t have a mate, then he’d have to spend more time cultivating his relationships with other shifters.

He looked over at Sofia. He could feel her growing anxiety as he got better. She wanted him to heal, but she also knew she’d be forced to make a decision once that happened. He would be leaving Kellan’s house and going back home.

“Would you want to go to Costa Rica?” he asked her.

“Would you want me to?”

“Absolutely.” If they weren’t going to be together, then he would take her as a friend. If she chose another male over him… Now that might be a problem. His dragon growled.

Don’t borrow trouble.That was what his grandmother had always said.

He wouldn’t worry about that unless it happened.

He made a vow right then and there not to pressure Sofia. He wouldn’t ask her about her plans, he wouldn’t demand an answer or explanation. Basically, he would behave the exact opposite way from how he’d acted the first time around.

He was still ashamed to think of how he’d reacted when he assumed they’d be mates.

They hadn’t really talked about it, but tentatively, she had shared some stories with him, stories that Fallon, Carolina, and other females had told her. Knowing that other shifters had struggled so completely was comforting. It meant they weren’t alone if they needed advice, and it meant there was hope for him and Sofia.

In the meantime, they ate together, took slow meandering walks together, and watched movies together. On the fourth day after the battle, he felt almost normal. It was time to go home. And yet, Sofia had not mentioned leaving at all.

When Rhett and Max packed up to leave and go back to their motorcycle club, Levi figured she might leave with them. But she didn’t mention it even once. Even when Rhett told her she was welcome to come with them, she thanked him and politely declined, to Levi’s everlasting relief. Even if they weren’t together, he liked having her so close.

“It’s time for me to go home and get out of Kellan and Clara’s hair,” he said to her later that day.

She looked stricken. “Already?”

“Yes. I need to get back to work.” He had plenty of clients who’d been patiently waiting on him. Quinn, as the town’s doctor, had invented a story about Levi’s appendix being removed, which gave him at least a week before anyone got twitchy.

She looked down at her hands. “I guess I need to go too.”

“You really don’t. I’m sure Clara and Kellan have both told you this, but you’re welcome to stay here for as long as you need.” He bit down on his lip to keep from saying anything. “Think about it this way. If this was your house, wouldn’t you invite Clara to stay with you, if she needed help?”

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