That was how mine had been too.
“You think it’s because we’re not mated?” I asked.
Ethan nodded. “When I’m with the pack, it’s a lot easier to handle. Werewolves aren’t meant to be solitary creatures. I think this is nature’s way of telling me to find someone before I have to be put down.”
My stomach tightened. “Seriously? Has it felt better since you walked in here?”
I’dfelt better when he walked in.
Was that what he was talking about?
“Significantly,” Ethan said. “I think it helps that this place smells so thickly of you.”
I wrinkled my nose.
“That’s a good thing,” he added. “You smell amazing.”
“But that’s not why you want to be my mate.”
“No. I want to be your mate so my friends don’t have to hunt me down and kill me when my wolf takes over and I become a mindless, potentially violent animal.”
“Well that’s just unreasonable,” I said sarcastically.
“I know. Utterly ridiculous.”
“Does physical touch help?”
“I don’t know. I was pretty sure asking my packmates to snuggle with me would’ve led to them teaming up to kick my ass.”
From what I’d seen of the other guys, I didn’t think that was what would’ve happened. They all cared about each other a lot. If he admitted he thought he was going to die and that affection would help, I would’ve bet money on them dogpiling as frequently as needed.
I held my hand out toward him.
Ethan’s gaze lowered to it, and lingered. It lifted back to me. “I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”
“I’m uncomfortable with all things werewolf related. Just try.”
He grimaced but set his hand in mine.
I sucked in a breath as our palms met, my eyes closing of their own volition.
My shoulders relaxed.
The discomfort in my chest unraveled.
The wolf constantly riding my ass disappeared into wherever she went when she wasn’t making my life difficult.
My heartbeat slowed.
All tension within me dissipated.
“What the fuck?” I breathed.
“Shh.”
I opened one eye to peek at Ethan.
He was sagging in his chair, his heavy eyelids closed and a blissed-out look on his face.
