A nagging suspicion has been in the back of my mind for a while now, but I try not to think about it too much.
Blair has made no indication that she suspects it, which tells me that it’s just a one-sided feeling.
My packmates know about Blair, but I give clipped responses when they ask about her. The brothers have scented her on me before, but only after she’s the last person I’ve seen for the night. They find her just as mouthwatering as I do, but there’s been no talk of scent matches with them.
Ryland and Rowan haven’t inhaled her like I have.
They haven’t had their cock twitch at her aroma then have to fight down every feral instinct in their body.
I head into the back of the building, giving Blair a quick nod while I grab a cup of water. She’s sitting at a small table and scrolling through her phone.
“You didn’t have to do that, you know,” she says. “I had it handled.”
“I know.”
“I can take care of myself, Travis. It’s not your job to protect me.” She says it kindly, but it still doesn’t make it any less painful to hear.
I want it to be my job,I think.
“I know,” I grumble.
“Now, if he put his hands on me?—”
“He wouldn’t.”
She turns to me, setting her phone down on the table. “Ifhe did?—”
“It would never happen.” My chest rumbles, a growl threatening to let itself out.
But she’s not mine to protect, even as my inner Alpha howls in despair.
It doesn’t matter that I would have ruined that man’s life if he tried to touch Blair.
We’re not mated.
We’re not even dating.
We’re barely friends.
She holds my gaze, her face softening. A flicker of sadness shows in her eyes, but then it’s gone. “I appreciate it, though. Too bad we don’t have protection like that at the rescue.”
“You have problems there, too?”
“Not normally. But occasionally, we get a weirdo that isn’t there for the animals.”
I frown. “You should have security,” I mutter.
At that, she smiles. “Are you volunteering?”
Yes.
I shrug. “If you need me.”
Her smile grows, and my chest tightens. “I’ll let you know. I think we’re good for now. The last annoying guy we had, Piper’s pack set him straight.”
A flicker of rage builds inside me.
She had someone else’s pack protect her?
