Page 94 of Bitten Shifter

“No,” the stern woman cuts in before Merrick can respond. Her smile is thin, her tone dismissive. “It’s only two days. You will be perfectly safe here, Mrs Winters. Nothing will happen to you.”

Merrick’s nostrils flare, his anger barely contained. He tucks a stray strand of hair behind my ear, his touch almost painfully gentle. “We will all wait for you,” he says quietly, his voice hoarse. “We will find accommodation close by. We can be here within minutes if you need us.”

“Excellent.” The woman’s smile broadens, as if she’s just scored a victory and won a prize. “I look forward to working with you.”

Not if I’ve got anything to say about it. “I’m not working with you,” I tell her flatly. Her expression darkens. “I don’t trust you. I don’t like you, and frankly, you have been nothing but rude.”

Colour flushes her cheeks. “Well, you need to work with someone,” she snaps.

“I will work with the lady in the blue cardigan, if she is willing.” I glance towards the elderly woman I’ve been watching.

Her grey hair is neatly pinned into a bun, and her kind brown eyes are quietly observant. Throughout the meeting, she’s remained calm, her reactions more genuine than performative—like when she winced when the man with the glasses declared that shifters were not human. The subtle anger that flickered in her gaze felt like a defence of us—not just politeness.

Real empathy.

She is the only one here I feel I can trust. If I’m going to learn, I want someone who values what I am, not someone who barely tolerates my existence.

“Me?” she asks, pressing a hand to her chest in surprise. Her voice holds warmth and uncertainty. I nod, meeting her gaze.

“Well, Mary,” Dayna says with a hint of a smile, “do you have time? Will you help?”

“Of course, I would love to.”

“The Professor is long retired,” the sharp-tongued woman interjects, her voice almost frantic. “She does not?—”

“It would be an honour to help guide the Alpha’s mate,” Mary interrupts smoothly, her gaze never leaving mine. “I have time,” she adds, her smile deepening. Her measured tone leaves no room for argument. The other woman snaps her mouth shut, frustration etched across her features.

“Thank you,” I say.

Mary dips her head in acknowledgement.

The chamber door creaks open, and the human official in a sharply tailored suit strides in, adjusting his collar. A sheen of sweat glistens under the magical lighting, and his gaze settles on me with undisguised contempt.

“Ah, Minister, thank you so much for coming,” Dayna greets him. “The Alpha and his mate were just leaving. Mary will escort Mrs Winters to the training room.”

Mary stands, her steps slow as she beckons me forward. “This way, dear.”

Reluctantly, I follow the two women into the corridor, Merrick following close behind. His fingers brush mine.

“You can say your goodbyes now,” the sharp-tongued woman announces, looking between Merrick and me, then at Mary. “Mary, can I have a word, please?”

Mary offers a serene smile, her endless patience evident as she allows herself to be led down the corridor. The woman’s voice drifts back, sharp and clipped, “Mrs Winters needs to learn…”

I tune her out. My full attention settles on Merrick. “What about the vampire problem?”

“You will be perfectly safe,” he reassures me. “This place is a fortress. No one is going to get near you here.”

Including you?The thought coils in my stomach. What if I’m trapped here? My breath catches, and I force myself to exhale slowly. The Council can’t hold me indefinitely unless they decide I’m a threat. Then I might never get out at all.

Merrick’s voice pierces my spiralling thoughts. “While you are continuing your education,” he says carefully, “I will organise the search for Paul. My best team is already on it. If he is findable, they will find him, Lark.”

The knot in my chest pulls tighter. “I don’t want to see him if you do. I just want him safe and far away from me.”

“We can arrange that,” Merrick promises.

“Thank you.”

His expression softens. “Are you sure you will be all right? You don’t have to do this if you are not ready.”

---