Page 14 of Shifter Marked and Claimed

“A little of both,” I told him honestly.

“I need a name.”

I shook my head.

“Don’t make me use my Alpha powers again,” he threatened.

Still, I stubbornly refused until the pressure resurfaced once more.

“Kyle please.”

“I need a name.”

“Lucy,” I finally managed. “Her name is Lucy, but that’s all I know.”

“Lucy? Does she have a young daughter?”

I nodded. “Vada.”

He paused, and then rubbed his temples.

“Jesus, Micah.”

“I know. And I’m going to do the right thing by them, Kyle, I swear. I just can’t stay here. I had always assumed that if a true mate took a compatible mate that the mating bond would supersede a true mate calling. In all my years of practicing medicine for shifters, I’ve never heard of this happening.”

He gave me a pitying look. “I don’t think that’s how it works.”

“Clearly, which is why I have to leave.”

“No, you don’t understand me. Look, I was going to have this conversation with you in full confidence as Pack physician. I promised Lucy I wouldn’t say anything to anyone though. You were going to be the exception just so you are aware of the situation and can help keep an eye on things.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Shit. You’ve really put me in a bind here, Micah.”

“Just tell me. You were going to tell me anyway.”

“Yeah, as an impartial and respected doctor, not as a mating male.”

“You know what, don’t tell me. It will be easier that way. Just approve my leave and let me get the hell away from this place, from her.”

“That’s not going to happen, Micah.”

“Kyle, please be reasonable. I’m not trying to cause trouble here. This is as much for my own self-preservation as it is protecting her. You cannot condemn me to stay here longing for a woman I cannot have. I don’t think I’m strong enough not to go to her and we both know what a disaster that would be. If you do not release me, no other Alpha will take me in. I’ll be forced to live my remaining days alone in the human realm. Are you really prepared to do that? You know scientifically speaking that we were not created to be lone wolves.”

He burst out laughing. “Micah, I had no idea you could be so dramatic. Let me put you out of your misery. Lucy isn’t mated.”

I froze and my jaw dropped. “What did you say?”

“She is not mated.”

“But her daughter…”

He squirmed in his seat uncomfortably. “Her daughter is what I was going to discuss with you. How much do you know about your mate?”

My heart raced.My mate.My Alpha had just acknowledged her as my mate.

“Nothing. She brought Vada into the clinic today for a school physical. When our eyes met, she freaked out and left. I followed. I managed to make it through the assessment of her daughter without entirely making an ass of myself. Kyle she’s not yet three years old. Where the hell is her father?”

---