I didn’t know how much time had passed. But when I woke, he was there—Luke, asleep beside me.
And for a moment, fury returned.
The tether to my family was gone—completely, violently severed.
And as much as I ached to reach for him, to cling to the only person left whochoseme…
I didn’t know how.
Not with the raging beast inside me.
“No.”
The word tore out of me and made him stir. He sat up slowly, his shoulders tensing when he saw my expression.
“Leave.”
“Kara…” His voice was full of yearning.
And that’s what cracked mine. “You just had to tell me.”
“I told you—countless times—to say goodbye to your family.”
“But never why!”
He hesitated.
“I never thought you could—”
“Care for you?” I asked, voice rising. “I do. But it’s like you don’t want me to.”
His eyes brightened.
“I want everything from you. Kitten, you were trapped with me no matter how you felt. I didn’t expect you to care. Maybe in time—down here—you could have. But you…you’re so soft, sogood. And yet you accepted a literal monster.” His voice cracked then. “I promise I’ll be good to you. To you. I won’t hurt you. I’ll make you happy here.”
“You’re my mate, so I except nothing less.” I crossed my arms.
A flicker of fang peeked from his upper lip, and I got the oddest feeling…helikedthat I called himmate.
He took a step forward, but I held up my hand.
“No, you’re still leaving.”
His tail dropped to the ground like a defeated noodle.
“Don’t make me sleep outside.”
“You can sleep in my bed when you are acting like a proper mate. When you tell me your plans, confide in me, share your thoughts—even the dark ones. Eventually, I’ll be in your head to hear them anyway. And when that happens? I want you to love me right.”
His tail flicked. “I can do those things.”
“Good.” I turned away with a small shrug. “We’ve got a long time for you to get better at it.”
He paused. “Can I at least sleep in the house?”
“I don’t care. Just not in my bed.”
So, he started sleeping on the flooroutsidemy door like a complete lunatic.
