“I'm never going to be safe!” I snap at him. “As long as I'm a shifter, I'm never going to be safe.” My voice cracks and I immediately feel bad for snapping at Grant like that.
He doesn't look upset by this though, only offering a sympathetic look. “I'm sorry, Leena.”
I sigh. “No, I'm sorry,” I respond. “I shouldn't be letting out my frustrations on you, you haven't done anything to me.”
You're literally the only person that has helped me keep going.
“It's fine, really,” Grant assures. “I'll take whatever you throw at me. I've got tough skin like that.”
I feel my heart melting in my chest at his words. The man before me is perfect. He's kind, he listens, and I know he cares for me. I almost can't believe such a man doesn't have a mate.
“You're not just an amazing alpha, but you're a good guy too. How haven't you had a mate in so long?”
The speed at which his expression changes makes me feel awful.
“I've resigned myself to being alone. I did so a long time ago,” he explains. “After my ex-wife left, the concept of having a fated mate never appealed to me. I don't believe in it, and I'm not saying I want my ex-wife back either. It's good she left.”
“But why not try with someone else after that?”
“Because I'm not sure I'm ready to go through anything like that again. I've had people around me who are happy on their own, and those who found their mates and are also happy. I relate more to the former.”
“You haven't fallen for anyone else?” I ask, knowing I'm beginning to push my luck. The entire discussion seems to drain the energy out of Grant, and I feel terrible for even prying.
“I haven't felt anything and I've stayed away from feeling until…”
The implication of his words hangs in the air between us. I know he's talking about what we currently share. Still, I can't help but sense that my feelings for him are beginning to multiply at a terrifying rate.
Why should someone this amazing be alone?
I settle back into Grant's arms, and he happily welcomes me. He holds me just a little tighter this time, and that's enough to stop any nightmares from returning.
Chapter 15
GRANT
I roll around in my bed, tangling with the sheets as I begin to stir. My eyes open, taking more time than usual to get used to the walls of my room. Thankfully, this room in the pack house is far more familiar than my bedroom in the city.
A violent yawn escapes my throat before I can stop it. I stretch just a little more before getting up. It's been a while since I got an entire night's sleep. I'm not sure that would be possible without Leena.
She isn't in my bed this morning, which isn't strange, but the sight of her is definitely one I want to wake up to more often.
I get up from the bed and move to the window, feeling the rushing air on my bare chest. All I have on is a pair of shorts that honestly don't do a lot of covering.
Still, I have no issues moving around the house like this. Today is one of those days when I'd normally be alone, but the addition of an assistant means that Leena and I are the only inhabitants in the house.
I leave the bedroom, refreshed and eager to start the day. A sweet smell hits my nose before I get very far. It travels right to my brain, drawing saliva to my mouth.
“What is that?” I ask. My stomach grumbles, asking the same question. I move past Leena's door, not bothering to stop there because the amazing aroma is coming from downstairs.
The scent swirls in my gut, pulling me down the stairs two at a time.
The aroma is strongest downstairs, and I follow it to the kitchen door, where I see Leena near a pan on the stove.
She flips something, humming a little. Her eyes are so locked into what she's doing that she barely notices my presence.
“That smells incredible,” I mutter, finally drawing her attention.
Leena turns to me and offers a warm, inviting smile. “Hey, good morning,” she greets, before looking back at her creations. She fishes a fairly chunky slice of bread from the pan and replaces it with another soaked one.
