Page 64 of The Wolf Prince's Mate

“He really did fix you,” Kody said.

“He threw my wolf in the shower so she would be forced to shift. He’s enough of an asshole that I know he’ll do it again if I try to retreat into her.”

“He’s brutal.”

“I guess.”

Kody studied me.

I leaned against the doorway, not sure what to say. I was wearing Clay’s shirt. I had just woken up in his bed. Clay had scrubbed dirt and blood off my bare body the night before, and he was currently in the process of making me breakfast.

My heart sank into my stomach.

I was being a bitch by leading Kody on. It wasn’t fair to him. “Let’s take a walk.”

He glanced at the doorway, as if waiting for Clay to protest.

I kind of wondered if he would.

But when I shut the door behind me, he didn’t call after me. He let me go.

I noticed Charlie from the corner of my eye, and waved at him. He nodded back. He’d been waiting outside for me. Back to guarding me.

“Alright,” Kody agreed.

We fell into step together, heading into the forest. If we walked back toward the Lodge, there would be too many listening ears.

“You have feelings for Clay,” Kody said, after a few minutes of silence.

“He’s just my friend,” I said honestly. “But there’s attraction there. A mate bond would force me to be loyal to my partner, but I don’t know if it would erase my connection with Clay.”

Kody nodded, not saying anything.

I didn’t push him for a response.

Emotional loyalty was just as important as physical, and I wasn’t sure I could promise that. And I sure as hell didn’t want to enter a mate bond with that knowledge.

“You and I would have to leave the pack if we mated,” Kody finally said. “I wouldn’t be able to handle seeing you interact with him.”

“I can’t leave the pack right now. Even with my stalker dead, there are other people out there who would take advantage of what I am if they could. I may never be able to leave.”

He nodded again. Slower.

“You deserve better than this,” I said honestly, stopping and turning toward him. “You deserve a mate who can commit to you. You don’t want me.”

Heshouldn’twant me.

He was my best chance at a mate bond with the potential for eventual happiness, but I wasn’t his. He deserved more.

When he nodded again, I took his hand and squeezed it.

Then, I went back to Clay’s house.

Clay’s position was stiff as we ate together. Neither of us said another word.

When I was done, I quietly thanked him and slipped out of his house again.

I had no idea what I was going to do… but I couldn’t figure it out with Clay.

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