Page 68 of The Wolf Prince's Mate

“About my brother?” Hunter’s voice was flat.

I ran a hand through my hair, shoving it out of my face. It was a tangled mess. Clay hadn’t thought about untangling it, and I definitely hadn’t. “Kind of. Not really. I don’t know. Look, I’m sorry. I didn’t want to get between you two, but it seems like that happened anyway. At this point, I don’t know what to do.”

I continued, “I’m not attracted to any of the guys I’ve been meeting with. It would feel like a lie to mate with one of them, and I can’t do that to someone. I can’t do it to myself, either. Clay and I might be more than friends, but we really haven’t been together since heat. He seems to want more. I’m sincerely trying not to hurt anyone here, but I don’t know how to make that happen.”

Hunter let out a slow breath, his jaw clenched. “What doyouwant, Nova?”

The question caught me off-guard.

I guess I hadn’t really thought about it.

Physically, I wanted Clay. Maybe emotionally, too. Just because he was fun to be around.

But… what else did I want?

The answer hit me like a freight train, and my eyes stung.

“I just want to feel safe and settled. Like I have a home. A family. Everything’s been so up in the air for so long.” I wiped my eyes, though no tears had escaped yet. “I’m tired of being in pain. I’m tired of not being wanted. I’m tired of being afraid. I’m just… tired.”

Hunter didn’t answer right away.

He just studied me. Stared at me. I wasn’t a fan of the feeling.

I wiped my eyes again, and caught two tiny tears before they could fall.

I was not crying in front of that big, emotionless bastard.

“I’m sorry,” he finally said.

The words stopped my emotions in their tracks.

He was apologizing? Again?

“I was so focused on my wolf when we met that I didn’t consider that your entire life had just changed. I should’ve. I’m sorry I didn’t. And I’m sorry that my security team was such a mess that it put your life at risk. Clay was right, I don’t know you. He does.If you two want to do the friends with benefits thing, I will figure out a way to make my wolf okay with it.”

I stared at Hunter.

Was he serious?

His wolf flashed in his eyes, and didn’t take over.

Hewasserious.

Holy shit.

“Thanks. I’ll think about it,” I said, my heart beating faster.

He slid a manila folder across the desk. “Consider this an apology.”

“If there’s money in here,” I started to warn him, but he shook his head.

“It’s not money. Just take it.”

I wanted to open it before I agreed, but someone knocked, then swung the door open. A guy I vaguely recognized from one of my meetings peered inside. “We’re on to something with the encryption.”

Hunter stood, so I did too.

“If I don’t want it,” I began, but he chuckled.

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