Page 32 of The Art of Avoiding Your Werewolf

“You think?” My next bite was even more violent.

Drinking from him was my fault too—butnotdrinking wasn’t really a possibility. Unless I wanted to go ten years without enjoying a meal, at least.

And according to some people, it wasimpossibleto survive on blood that didn’t belong to your potential mate, no matter how long you waited.

Your body could reject it.

My bodyhadrejected it the night before.

I was fucked. And not in the fun way.

“In my defense, I didn’t have a blood bag, and a Ziploc bag didn’t seem appropriate,” Madd added.

“You donated blood, and they didn’t put it in a blood bag?”

“I’m a paramedic. I know how to draw blood. Going to a donation center would’ve drawn attention we couldn’t afford. It took a few tries, but I made it work.”

“You drainedyour ownblood into that cup? Are you fucking insane?”

He chuckled, though the sound was still more tense than I would’ve expected. “Apparently.”

“Why would donating blood have drawn attention?”

“We don’t have vampires in Wildwood. You know they don’t sell blood here. If I’d donated it, it would’ve gone to the hospital. It’s no secret that I’m the alpha, so people pay close attention to me.”

He continued, “If I’d donated blood but taken it home, word would spread all over town. It wouldn’t take long for the packs to figure out who the blood was for, considering I sure as hell wouldn’t be giving blood to anyone but my mate.”

“They don’t know I’m your potential mate yet, do they?” I asked.

He lifted a shoulder. “I haven’t confirmed or denied it yet. Your bakery has been overrun with wolves and obnoxious humans trying to figure it out this morning, though.”

Damn.

“Guess it’s a good thing I work in the back.”

“For now. I’m going to introduce you to my pack tonight, so the secret will be out soon.”

I scowled at him. “I haven’t agreed to that, Madd. You don’t get to make decisions for me.”

“I’ll decide with him,”my wolf said.

“Go to hell,”I grumbled back.

She chuffed, the sound full of humor.

“I’m not changing my mind. My pack needs to know who and what you are to help me protect you.”

I scowled, but didn’t deny that I needed protection.

“He’s right,”my wolf agreed.“On both counts. We need them to help keep us alive.”

He added, “You would rather I keep your identity a secret, and I understand that. I’m sorry, but it’s not an option.”

There was no point in arguing with him.

He’d clearly made his mind up, and he seemed to be able to out-stubborn me.

“You’re shitty at apologizing.” I checked my bangs in his mirror, and found my face flushed after what we’d done.

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