“Not much,” I replied honestly.
“And why not?”
“You know why, mother. It’s this stupid choosing ritual,” I groaned. “I can’t show favoritism this early and risk angering the Elders. I have to take it slow.”
“So, taking things slow means not talking to her at all?” my mother asked. “She’s your mate, Caelan. You should at least be trying to make her comfortable around you. She’s never going to get there if you keep your distance.”
“But—”
“No, you listen to me,” she interrupted. “I know you have to ‘play along’ with the choosing ritual now that it’s started, but you had better find a way to make your mate feel more important thanthose other she-wolves or, when the time comes, she’s not going to want anything to do with you.”
She’s right. She often is.
“I’m working on it, Mother,” I assured her as she stood. “I promise. I’m not going to let her slip away without giving it everything I’ve got.”
She nodded and left. I slumped into my chair as the door closed behind her.
The problem is how to go about it. How do I make Shade feel important and explain we’re mates short of just dropping the bomb on her and hoping she takes it well?
Then another thought crossed my mind, filling my heart with dread.
Tomorrow’s group date had already been planned. It was kind of this social event designed to give the alpha the opportunity to get to know as many females as possible in a short time. But knowing what I knew now, I wished I had elected to skip it.
I’ll be expected to spend time with each of the she-wolves individually and give them my undivided attention. Which means Shade is going to have to sit by and watch other women flirt with her mate.
The thought made me dislike myself greatly.
Mixed Emotions
SHADE
I hadn’t slept very well at all last night.
Dinner had been a disaster. I had made everyone feel uncomfortable, ruining the meal along with Sunny’s dress. Alpha Caelan had been so furious that he’d left and not come back.
It probably didn’t help Sunny’s chances with him when she reprimanded me in public, but I deserved it. I made a mistake.
I reached into the nightstand and pulled out the crumpled photo of my mother.
I’m sorry, Mom. I’m letting you down. I’m letting the whole pack down. I know we need this mating between Sunny and Caelan if we’re ever going to stop Dark Moon. I promise to do better today. I promise to help Sunny so I can keep everyone safe.
I kissed the picture and tucked it back into the drawer, lying back as I stared at the ceiling.
That was my purpose. I had to protect the pack and Sunny, even though there were days when I wished I could be anyone else. Not Shade the bodyguard, but just Shade.
A soft knock on the door called me from the warm comfort of my bed.
I trudged over and opened it carefully, smiling when I saw Taffy waiting on the other side. I gestured for her to enter, stepping aside as she came through with a large, covered platter.
“Good morning,” she offered cheerfully, breezing into the room and setting the tray on the small coffee table. “I broughtbreakfast! Come on, let’s eat.”
She took off the lid, revealing two heavily laden plates. The heavenly smell of bacon made my stomach growl, and I hurried to join her.
We ate in silence for a few minutes, which was unusual for Taffy. I wiped my mouth, eyeing her anxiously.
“I’m sorry if Sunny and I made you uncomfortable last night,” I apologized as Taffy glanced up from her plate. “I saw how upset you were when she corrected me. I’m sorry you had to see it. She doesn’t normally do that in public.”
“Does she do that sort of thing often?” she pressed. “Correct you like that?”
