Page 54 of Her Bossy Wolf Protector

Her words strike a nerve, and I fight to keep calm. “But I will protect you. Why do you think us being together endangers you?” I ask, trying to understand her worries.

“I don’t know. You seemed unsure about how to protect me when you were talking with Mariya. Do you think us being together will put me in harm’s way?”

Her question feels like a blow. “I’d never put you in danger, Jade. You mean everything to me.”

Her doubt hurts more than I expected, and Jade catches it. “Gabriel, do you even understand what this means? Because from what I heard, you are also learning about this at the same time as me.”

“I need time to figure everything out, Jade.”

Jade stands before me. “Gabriel, I’m not sure if any of this is real. Us being mates... it feels like too much.”

I sense her hesitation and take a breath. “You mean the bond?”

“Yeah,” she sighs, looking troubled. “I can’t just dive into this blindly. It’s overwhelming.”

“I understand,” I nod, trying to ease her concern. “I won’t push you into anything you’re not ready for.”

She chews her lip, visibly troubled. “I need time to think.”

As she turns away, I can’t hold back. “Jade, being mates means a connection beyond anything else. You belong with me.”

Her eyes widen in disbelief. “Belong with you? Gabriel, I’m not your property.”

“No, no, that’s not what I meant,” I hastily explain, regretting my choice of words. “It’s about an unbreakable bond, caring for each other deeply.”

She folds her arms, still tense. “Then why would you keep it a secret? You’ve known about us being mated for how long?”

“I was unsure, Jade,” I confess, feeling a knot in my stomach. “I didn’t want to pressure you into something you weren’t ready for. I’ve been trying to figure this out myself.”

Her expression softens a bit, but uncertainty lingers. “So, what now?”

“I don’t have all the answers,” I admit. “But we will find out together, and I’ll do everything to protect you. That, I promise.”

Our conversation over, or at least temporarily paused, she hurries to the guest room, leaving me worried about what she’ll do next and how I will keep her safe. But I can’t just stand by. I need to find answers.

Hours later, I find her in her room packing. Panic surges within me. “Jade, you can’t just leave. It’s not safe out there.”

“I can’t rely on you for everything, Gabriel,” she shoots back, determination in her eyes.

“But you being my mate—” I start, urgency in my voice.

“I’m not some object, Gabriel!” she snaps, hurt flashing in her eyes.

I flinch, realizing my mistake. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. I just want to protect you.”

“Let me make my own choices,” she pleads.

But I can’t let her go, not when danger looms. “You’re my mate. I have to keep you safe.”

She shakes her head, tears welling up. “I don’t belong to anyone! I won’t be controlled!”

I watch helplessly as she storms out, my heart sinking with every step she takes away from me.

I messed up and pushed her too far. Being mates isn’t about dominance; it’s about understanding and respecting each other. I need to go to her and explain. I have to make things right.

Chapter 20

Jade

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