“No,” I say, before Nate can even finish his thought. “Whatever you two are insinuating isn't possible.”
“Hear us out,” Nate pleads. “I know this isn't really your style. Heck, it wasn't mine until just a while ago. It's not something you can run from, though.”
Even without the direct words, I can tell they're talking about the possibility of me developing a mate bond with Leena.
Even though I don't have any experience with what a mate bond is supposed to look or feel like, most people talk about their feelings snapping into place. I haven't experienced that.
“Everything you're doing just seems a little familiar,” Graham says. “Before I found out Rose was my fated mate, I still had this connection to her, almost like we were drawn to each other.”
That may actually—no. No.
I remove the thought from my mind as soon as it forms. “I get what you two are trying to do, but I'm telling you now, Leena is not my mate. I care about her because she's under my protection. Whatever happens between us has nothing to do with a bond.”
Neither of them try to add anything else. It’s an unspoken rule. I'm the alpha. So this sort of topic isn't up for debate, especially when I say it isn't.
“We have much more important issues on our hands,” I shift the topic again. “We need to be ready for whatever possibility arises from hunters banding together. I'm going to need everyone to watch their neighbors' backs. No suspicious behavior should be left unchecked. We're all we've got right now.”
“You're right,” Graham agrees.
As they try to brainstorm other ideas, I can't help but be drawn back to our earlier conversation.
It's almost a shameful thing to admit that I don't know much about fated mates.
What I do know is that part of me still wants to walk away from this meeting just to check on Leena, even though I know she's probably fine.
Chapter 14
LEENA
Rose and I are laughing when Grant enters. Rose's eyes go right to her mate who's standing behind the alpha.
I watch their interaction, slightly amused. Rose has spent the day telling me stories about how her and Graham had come to be.
“It's time for us to leave, Leena. Are you ready?”
I slowly nod and get up before looking back at the girl who's been keeping me company. “Thank you so much for today, Rose. I really really had fun.”
“Any time,” she replies. “Hopefully we can hang out again soon.”
I nod in agreement before giving Rose a short hug. We part ways, and I head back to the door to meet Grant. He reaches for my hand and leads me to the elevator.
His touch alone drives me crazy, and he knows exactly how to use it to make my face fully turn red. By the time we enter the elevator, I'm basically a tomato.
He lets go of my hand when we enter the elevator, which is a little disappointing.
“Was the meeting productive?” I ask.
“Yes.”
“What about the hunters?” I'm not sure I want to know the answer.
“That's pretty complicated, but what you need to know for now is that you're with me and I'm always going to protect you. For now, we'll need to stick really closely to each other.”
The elevator doors open into the lobby. Grant and I walk out and it's almost the same reaction as last time. Everyone around holds him in reverence, happily greeting him, and he responds to them with the same politeness.
Outside, the weather is gorgeous. It's been this way since we got to town, and nothing has changed, even though it's already evening.
“Are you ready to go home?” he asks.
