Page 119 of The Wolf Prince's Mate

One I didn’t have the heart to refuse.

When I sighed and met his eyes, I found them watering.

Shock made my throat swell instantly.

“If there was anything I could do to change what I am, I would do it. I’d give anything. Pay anything. Do anything.Anything.” His words were so desperate, I believed him. “But I can’t. It’s killing me, but I can’t. I can’t risk your life. I’m in love with you, okay? I need you like I need air, and I can’t let myself have you. You would always be in danger because of me.”

“I’m always in danger because ofme, Clay. Because of what I am.”

“It’s not the same. Being in danger because of what you are is a world different than risking your life because an insane wolf is in love with you.”

“What happened to make your wolf the way he is?” I asked, sensing that he was about to pull away no matter what I said or did.

He paled further. “I can’t tell you. It’s…” he closed his eyes. “I can’t.”

“Can I ask your brothers?”

“You can try.”

I nodded.

Clay closed his eyes again. “My wolf needs to run. I have to go, but I love you, okay? I’ll call tomorrow.”

“Alright. We’ll talk tomorrow. Goodnight, Savage.”

“Night, Gorgeous.”

He managed a small smile before he hung up the phone. When the call ended, I stared at the screen for a solid two minutes.

Clay was a mess. I’d never seen him like that before. He was… lost.

Afraid.

And hurting.

The only person who could change that was me.

But he wasn’t going to let me unless I had a solid argument that he couldn’t contest.

Thankfully, there was a book in my kitchen that could help me get there.

My lips curved slightly.

I was going to find proof that Clay couldn’t hurt me—and then I was going to make him mine.

twenty-two

NOVA

I was up mostof the night reading the book Hunter had left. It detailed specifics about mate bonds between a male werewolf and the ever-elusive female werewolf. Along with the facts, it included stories about how they were discovered. Some of the information seemed pretty obvious, but some of it was a surprise.

Their scents soothed each other in times of physical pain and emotional distress.

They healed faster when they were together.

They could communicate through their pack link, even if they weren’t part of the Alpha trio.

They would know innately when their mate was in danger, no matter how much distance was between them.

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