If she only knew what I was about to spring on her.
Marcus’s house appears too soon. Mitch’s truck is already there, and my stomach drops. More witnesses to either her joy or devastation.
“Mitch is here too?” Carla smooths her hair nervously, checking her reflection in the side mirror.
“Must have dropped by.” I take her hand before she can overthink it. “It’ll be fine.”
Marcus opens the door, expression neutral as always. But his nostrils flare slightly, and his eyes widen just a fraction. He smells it, too. His gaze flicks to me, a silent question.
“Billy. Carla.” He steps aside to let us in.
Inside, Leila’s in the kitchen while Mitch sits at the table, looking tired. Running a fractured clan is taking its toll. Dark circles shadow his eyes.
“Carla,” Mitch acknowledges with a nod. “Good to see you safe.”
“Thanks for everything you did,” she says, twisting her fingers together. “The escape, I mean.”
He waves it off, uncomfortable with gratitude. “Billy did the hard part.”
“Lunch in twenty minutes,” Leila calls out. She glances our way, and I see the moment she catches the scent. Her eyes dart to me, then Carla, then back to me. Her eyebrows rise slightly.
The kitchen suddenly feels too small, too crowded with knowing looks.
“So,” Marcus says, settling into his chair with deliberate casualness. “How are you both?”
“Good,” Carla answers, though I feel her confusion at the tension in the room. “Fantastic. The bond is... intense, but wonderful.”
“Billy?” Mitch’s eyes narrow on me. “You alright? You look like you’re about to bolt.”
My leg bounces under the table, but I force it still.
“Yeah.” My voice comes out strained. “Can I talk to you both? Privately?”
Carla frowns, turning to study my face. “Is everything okay?”
I lean over to kiss her temple, breathing in that new sweetness that makes my bear rumble. “Fine. Just... clan business. Two minutes.”
She doesn’t look convinced, but nods. Through our bond, I feel her anxiety rise. Marcus leads us to his office, movements sharp with impatience.
The door clicks shut.
“She doesn’t know,” Marcus states immediately.
“How can she not?” Mitch asks, rubbing his temple. “The scent’s obvious.”
“Wolves don’t have our noses. And it’s early. Maybe two weeks.” My hands shake as I run them through my hair. “The motel. It must have happened at the motel.”
“Of course,” Mitch says flatly.
“I don’t know how to tell her.” The words tumble out in a rush. “We literally just mated yesterday. What if she’s not ready? What if…”
“You tell her straight,” Marcus cuts in. “No point dancing around it.”
“But after everything she’s been through…”
“Then you deal with it together,” Mitch interrupts. “But Billy, you have to tell her. Secrets don’t work between mates. She’ll feel it through the bond, eventually.”
“I’m terrified.” I admit, voicing my deepest fear. “What if I’m like Dad?”
