Page 58 of Wolf's Claimed Mate
I hummed a reply.
“I’ll never let anyone hurt you again,” he promised. And I didn’t believe him, but I bit my tongue. Soon, sleep caught up to me, and I let myself drift off in his arms without resistance.
Chapter 24 - Conall
The following day, I woke up before Sasha and ordered a breakfast that would have served a small family. I didn’t know how to feel knowing I had taken her virginity. I wasn’t angry at her for keeping it a secret but more regretful that I hadn’t known.
I would have treated her with more softness.
But I told myself she was outspoken enough to ask for that if she wanted it. A small voice whispered in my head that she’d stopped caring if sex meant something and had just wanted to know what it was like.
I tried to shove that part of me down.
The longer she slept, the more I spiraled into anger at the enemy pack, at Jackson, at her pride at not telling me any of this. She was so wrapped up in her own head and distrustful that she wouldn’t let me help take it away or do anything for her.
Why wouldn’t she just let me protect her?
Soon, breakfast was ordered, and I ducked around the cabin door, still undressed, planning to shower soon, and grabbed the food. The smell of waffles, bacon, eggs, toast, and spicy sausage woke Sasha up. She’d removed the collar last night but still wore my shirt with no underwear.
From where I stood, I had a great view as she stretched her legs out of the sheets. In turn, she gave me an appraising eye, taking in my naked body as I stood at the foot of the bed. Her eyes lingered south and I smirked, meeting her gaze when she finally looked back up.
“Enjoying the view?” I asked her.
She grinned. “I’d enjoy it more if you came over here.”
“Well, breakfast is served,” I told her, laughing. “You want it, come get it.”
“It’s not food I’m hungry for,” she replied.
“You can have that later,” I teased. “For now, have breakfast with me. We need to keep up our stamina, we’re going to Palmetto tomorrow to check out those headquarters. I want to stay low in here another day and then—”
“Why not go today?” she asked, crawling to the end of the bed to snatch the piece of crispy bacon I had pinched between my fingers. She licked around my fingers as I blinked at her, grabbing another piece for myself.
“Because it could be dangerous,” I said. “They could still be out there, waiting to take you. Now I know the true reason they’re still pursuing you, I want to keep you safe even more.”
I watched the displeasure pull over her face and waited for her angry words. They didn’t arrive. Instead, she slipped off the bed, yanked on a pair of shorts in the bureau next to the bed, and walked to the other side of the cabin after swiping some toast.
“What?” I asked, groaning.
“Nothing,” she answered, shortly. “I’m just going to sit here like a fucking damsel waiting to be saved. Poor, weak Sasha, can’t do anything for herself.” Her eyes narrowed on me, nothing like the soft woman who’d all but purred against me as she melted the night before. I’d hit a nerve.
“I’m a shifter, too,” she snapped. “Why do you think I can’t be out there in danger? Why are youalwaystrying to fight my battles for me?”
“It’s calledkeeping you safe.”
“Yes, well, I’ve done a damn good job of it so far on my own, Conall. Am I dead? No. Mauled? No. What is it about me that makes you think I can’t fucking protect myself?”
“It’s not about you, it’s aboutme, my need to keep you safe because I care about you.” My responding frustration to her insistence flared, and I tried to keep myself calm. The last thing she needed was another wolf going territorial on her. But I knew that’s what it was.
“Conall, I’m notyoursto keep safe,” she shouted.
“Yes, I’m fucking aware!” I yelled back, unable to control my temper anymore. I saw her and did not underestimate her, but why wouldn’t she let me keep her safe? She’d been involved with some of the most dangerous shifters, men who would think nothing of hurting her. Shewasn’tweak, no, but she was reckless and prideful, which could get her in the wrong situation.
“Fine,” I snapped. “Eat up and we’ll go.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“You’ll need your energy.”
