“M-mate?” Sameen asked. “What is she talking about?”
Peter’s wolf railed against the man’s hold, and he was so angry, he was half tempted to let the beast free to scare the fuck out of Farren. Except she was stronger than he was by half or more, and she’d probably kick his ass. And then where would he be? So he settled for letting the wolf glow in his eyes and turn his voice into a growl. “Get. Out. Now!”
Caitlin ushered Farren from the room and shut the door behind her, but the damage had already been done.
Sameen shoved against Peter’s chest until he released her and scrambled out of bed, her legs unsteady. “What did she mean?”
“Last night, when I told you I thought we were meant to find one another?” He held up his hands as he approached, then realized she couldn’t see his body language, his eyes, the fear he knew had to be written all over his face. “Sameen, werewolves don’t fall in love like humans do. Mating is based on instinct. The first time I touched you, before you could talk, before I knew anything about you, I knew you were...mine.”
“I’m notyours!” she cried. “I don’t even know who I am, Peter. How can I possibly beyours?”
“Fuck. That was the wrong thing to say. Or the wrong way to say it.” He took a step closer. “Take my hand. Please.”
“No.” Her voice cracked, and she hugged herself tightly, wavering on her feet like she was about to fall over.
Peter skimmed his fingertips along her arm, and her lower lip wobbled. “Nothing happens between us unless you want it to, Sameen. I promise.”
“I don’t know what that means,” she whispered.
Folding her into his embrace, Peter ran his nose along the curve of her neck. Shit. She felt so good in his arms. And when she wasn’t panicked, he could sense the trust she’d put in him. There was no fucking way he’d violate that, but he had to let her know what she meant to him—even after less than a day.
“My wolf knows we’re meant to be together. But he’s not in charge. I am. I’ll take care of you—as much as you let me—but if anything makes you uncomfortable, just say the word.”
“Everything makes me uncomfortable. It’s all…new to me. Just being able to move of my own free will.” She peered up at him, and in the dimly-lit room, squinted and furrowed her brow. “Is your hair…black?”
“Can you see it?” Cupping her cheek, he checked her eyes, and fuck if they didn’t look slightly clearer. “Come into the bathroom with me. The light’s better in there.”
She didn’t hesitate when he wrapped an arm around her waist and guided her across the room.
“Ten steps,” she whispered when he took her hand and placed it on the edge of the countertop. “Three more from the bed.”
“I’m going to turn the light on now.” Peter shielded her eyes with one hand and flipped the switch with the other. Sameen sucked in a sharp breath, and after a few seconds, Peter lowered his arm. “Look at me?”
Under the milky scarring, he thought he saw a hint of brown, and she blinked rapidly. “I can’tsee. Not like I want to. But maybe...a little color. Dark brown or black hair?” Sameen reached up and touched his messy locks. “You’re pale. Like...really pale. And I’m…I’m not.”
She sounded so confused, and Peter didn’t understand why until she brushed her fingers over her own hair. It fell all the way to her hips in gentle, but tangled waves, and she followed the length, letting it slip through her fingers as tears gathered in her eyes.
“You...don’t remember what you look like?”
The slow shake of her head was overshadowed by the body-wracking sobs she desperately tried to hold in.
“Sameen. Breathe. I’m right here, and you’re safe.”
“Who forgets what they look like?” she said, burying her face against his chest. “They took everything from me, Peter. I’m not even apersonanymore. I don’t remember my last name. Where I used to live. What I was studying at university…if I have any family…or had…”
“We’ll figure all of that out. I promise. And youarea person, Sameen.” He turned her so they were both facing the mirror, hoping she could make out some semblance of what they looked like together. “Your hair is like the night sky with no stars. Inky black, and I bet it shines when it’s clean. Your skin is a deep tawny. You’re shorter than Farren, a bit taller than Caitlin. But you’re the perfect height for me to do this.” Leaning down, Peter ran his nose along her neck.
She shuddered, and he caught the slightest hint of her arousal.
Too soon, asshole. Back it off.
“Why did you do that?” she asked, her voice dropping to a whisper.
“It’s instinctual. I don’t understand it myself. Is it…okay?” Peter wasn’t sure what he’d do if Sameen told him to stop. Besides back away and see if Regulus had another home gym where he could beat the shit out of something.
“It makes me feel safe.”
He wasn’t sure if he’d ever heard sweeter words. “Youaresafe with me, Sameen. I promise.”
