Page 33 of Wolf Desired
Tiernan wasn’t grinning like a guy trying to add another notch to his bedpost. In fact, he looked pissed, like she’d just insultedhim.
“The other guys. Shifters. Humans. Doesn’t matter.”
“Cause we’re all the same?”
“When it comes to sex, yes.”
“You’ve had sex with a shifter?”
“No, but—”
“Then don’t assume anything, female.”
That made her spine straighten. He’d never called herfemalebefore, despite his claim that it was a normal term in his world. The fact that he knew she didn’t like it gave his words more weight. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
“I-I don’t understand,” Alyssa said, more confused than ever.
“That’s the problem. Even if I explain it to you, you won’t understand. You’re human.”
Human. That was yet another question, but not one for Tiernan. She wondered if she had something inside of her, something making her mistrust others all the time, or if all trauma from her childhood had reared its ugly head in some twisted fashion.
“And if I weren’t human, if I were a shifter, would you explain it to me?”
“I wouldn’t have to. You’d know everything. It’s part of who we are.”
“What if I were a shifter born outside a pack and raised by humans and knew nothing about being shifter? Would you shun me or teach me?”
“I’d teach you.”
“Then teach me, Tiernan. Instead of treating me like an outsider, help me understand what’s going on. Why you attacked Maddox and why you think you have tomateme.”
“I don’t think. I know. You calm my wolf, Artemis.”
“How do I calm him? The only time I’ve interacted with him was our first day here, after you attacked Maddox. The next time I saw your wolf was when I was arguing with Brock on the cliff, but I didn’t touch your wolf that time.”
“It’s your scent. The first time I caught your scent, he calmed, but I didn’t truly trust him. He’s a tricky bastard at times, so I didn’t think he’d chosen you as my mate.”
“And yet you trust him now.”
“He calms every time I’m near you. And he grows anxious when other males approach you. You’re my mate, Artemis. If you’ll have me.”
This was crazy talk. Except he believed everything he was saying.
“So you go around sniffing the opposite sex to find your mate and then you get together?”
“Every couple is different. For some, it’s enough that their wolves get along. Even if the wolf wants something, it doesn’t mean he gets it. The shifter is still in control.”
“Meaning you wouldn’t force me if I were a shifter?”
“I wouldn’t force you, no matter what. That’s not what I want with a mate. But my wolf is rather hard to control right now.”
He brushed the backs of his fingers along her cheek, sending a delicious wave of pleasure through her. More than a simple touch should. “I won’t hurt you, no matter what. You are safe with me.”
“And your wolf?”
“And my wolf,” he said, though she detected the slightest hesitation.
