That statement failed to reassure her much. “You should say that you don’t kill.”
“I won’t lie to you. I have killed and will probably do so again to protect my family and my pack.”
Mia had killed to save her mother, as well. “Why are you here, Seth?”
“I’m here because a mate’s presence helps with the transition. Now go to sleep. When you awaken, you’ll feel better.” He tugged her into his warmth and kissed her firmly on the temple.
“Why were you with Ruby that night?” she slurred, her head still hurting so badly her teeth felt like they might fall out.
“We can talk and fight about it tomorrow, Mia. Tonight, you need sleep.”
Unconsciousness pulled her under, and she had no choice. Once again, wolves and the pulsing of the moon filled her dreams.
She woke with a start as dawn peeked through the window. A strong arm around her waist kept her plastered against a warm body so hard it felt like brick. Even so, they fit well together.
“Morning,” he said, his voice clear and strong. He’d obviously been awake for quite some time.
“Hi,” she croaked, her throat feeling as if she’d sipped acid all night. Her limbs trembled, but her headache had softened to a dull pounding. “You said I’d be stronger.”
“I didn’t say you’d be stronger today. Just when the transition is over.” His breath brushed the bite mark on her shoulder. “The swelling has decreased a little bit. That’s a good sign.”
“When will the transition be over?” She tried to roll away. How could she even think this was real? That she’d mated a wolf? Oh, yeah. The incredible pain and nausea attacking her body. That was how.
“Within a week.” Seth tightened his hold until she couldn’t move. “Your reaction was strong enough that one bitediddo it, just so you know. You’re fully my mate.”
Yeah. She got that.
He kissed her ear. “We need to talk.”
“Damn straight.” She blinked several times to clear her head. The hard-on he sported that pressed against her butt softened her thighs. Now was not the time to think about sex with the man. “Where did you and Ruby go that night?”
Seth wandered his lips across his bite.
Lust slammed right to her core. “Stop that,” she snapped.
He sighed. “Fine. Ruby and I had been meeting secretly for about six months prior to the month she died.”
Hurt caught the air in Mia’s lungs. He’d been seeing Ruby? “Oh. So shewascheating on your brother? Or was she cheating on you with Erik?” Just who had the main couple been in this disaster? That would be motive, now, wouldn’t it?
“No.” Seth exhaled. “We weren’t lovers. We were friends. For five months, I tutored her so she could earn her GED.”
Mia snorted. “You’re a tutor?”
“Yeah. I think she thought that nobody would mess with the Enforcer, and she didn’t want to put anybody else in danger. So, she came to me and asked for help. I helped her.”
That was sweet—if Mia believed him. “So you tutored her so she could take the test? Did she pass?”
“She did, and then I helped her apply to colleges. She was accepted to Notre Dame, and that night, we had planned to tell my father.”
Mia frowned. “I don’t understand. She needed your support to tell Benjamin that she got into a great college?”
“Yes. Members of our pack—anypack—aren’t supposed to venture away unless it’s for military training or medical skills. We need numbers for strength, and our secret can never get out. Members, especially females, are not encouraged to leave home.” Seth nipped Mia’s ear. “Ruby and I wanted to change that, person by person, starting with her. To do so, we had to go to our Alpha.”
“So, what did your father say?”
Seth sighed. “Nothing. Ruby told me that night that she’d been meeting with an informant from the Copper Pack and had information on dissent in their ranks and who’d make the best targets to bring to our side. The girl thought she could trade information for freedom when she met with my father.”
Mia blinked. “Hold on. First, what’s the Copper Pack?”
