Page 40 of Her Bossy Wolf Protector

“Sorry about that. Kids, you know?” I try to lighten the mood as we walk, but Jade’s nervousness lingers. She does not reply.

I feel Mariya’s disapproval lingering in the air. Before the commotion with Liam, we were discussing Jade’s unknown supernatural identity, and Mariya was clearly distressed. Not knowing what creature Jade might be terrified her, and she didn’t hold back in berating me for bringing Jade into our home, especially with Liam here.

I take a deep breath. “Look, I didn’t expect Liam to spill the beans like that. I’m sorry that you found out that way.”

Jade nods, her eyes still reflecting uncertainty. “It’s just a lot to take in, you know? All this supernatural stuff.”

I walk into my bedroom, locking the door behind me as I turn to face her. She looks shocked, her hair pulled up in a bun, wearing pajama shorts and a tank top. I focus on her face, trying not to let my attention wander.

Damn, she is fucking sexy. I can feel the tug in my chest, pulling me towards her.

She is my mate. I am not ready to tell her that yet, but seeing her here and now makes me wonder just how long I can keep the secret from her.

“You never mentioned you were married,” she hisses at me.

I raise an eyebrow. “What? To who?”

She nods towards the door.

“Uh, no. Mariya is Liam’s nanny and my friend. Do NOT let her hear you say that, or she will boil you alive.”

“She’s a witch,” Jade says, clearly bewildered.

Just how much did Liam spill?

“Yes,” I confirm, and she sits on my bed.

“Okay. Tell me what’s going on.”

I sit down next to her, taking a deep breath. Then, deciding she deserves to know, I warn her, “You’re better off not knowing.”

“I’d rather you told me anyway.”

So, reluctantly, I begin to unravel the supernatural secrets that have been concealed from her. I try to break it gently, explaining that everything in the mystical realm is real — all sorts of creatures coexisting. Werewolves, vampires, witches- all bound by a treaty that I, as Protector, am tasked to enforce.

The air grows heavy with tension as I confess that Alyssa was attacked by a vampire and that it was my duty to intervene, resulting in the vampire’s death. To Jade’s shock, I reveal that Jake is the vampire who took Alyssa.

“Fuck!” She whispers.

“But that’s not all. Those men at your apartment last night. They were vampires, too.”

Her eyes, wide with astonishment, meet mine, and she stammers, “What am I then? You said there was something extraordinary within me. What does that mean? If I’m not human, what am I?”

I want to give her the answers, but the reality is, I don’t know. “I don’t know,” I admit, frustrated. “But we’re going to find out. I promise you that.”

It’s the afternoon, and I decide that we should have pizza for lunch. With her array of mystical tools, Mariya performs one test after another on Jade in an attempt to uncover her supernatural identity. As Mariya delves into her witchcraft, I feel a stab of guilt each time Jade winces as Mariya draws a bit of blood for testing.

The room is filled with an array of crystals, candles, and strange symbols as Mariya mumbles incantations under her breath. Jade sits on the couch, looking somewhat nervous but determined. I can’t help but feel sorry for her, caught up in this mess she never asked for.

Mariya begins with a series of incense, the aroma filling the air as she watches Jade closely. “Let’s rule out the obvious first,” Mariya says, her eyes focused. “Vampire.”

I glance at Jade, who gives a small sigh of relief as the test comes back negative. Mariya moves on to the next possibility.

“Dragon,” Mariya mutters, holding a crystal pendulum over Jade. The pendulum remains still, ruling out the idea of Jade being a dragon.

“Nymph,” Mariya tries next, waving a bundle of herbs around Jade. Again, no reaction. The tension in the room is palpable as Mariya works her way through the possibilities.

“Wolf,” she says, her tone thoughtful as she examines Jade. I can see Jade clenching her fists, bracing for another test. But it’s negative, ruling out a wolf.

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