“Anne, tell me the truth. Did Kain—”
“Get your hands off her.”
The voice from the doorway is so frosty, I swear the room temperature drops.
Kain stands there, hands on hips. His expression is carved from ice, but his eyes are blazing gold. He has gone completely still in the predatory way that makes my wolf recognize the threat even if my human mind doesn’t.
“Now,” Kain adds when David doesn’t immediately comply.
David’s hand drops from my arm, but he doesn’t back down. “We were just talking.”
“It didn’t look like talking.” Kain steps into the room, and suddenly the space feels even smaller. “It looked like you were putting your hands on my mate without her permission.”
The word “mate” hits David like a bomb. His eyes go wide, and he looks between Darius and me. I witness the exact moment everything clicks into place.
“Your mate,” he says slowly. “She’s your fated mate.”
“Yes.” Kain’s voice is flat as he steps between me and David, shielding me behind him. “So, I suggest you keep your concerns to yourself. And if you touch her again, I’ll break your arm.”
The threat isn’t idle. I can see it in the set of Kain’s shoulders, the way his hands hang ready at his sides.
David stares at us for several seconds. Then, he lets out a laugh, but it’s bitter and hollow.
“It all makes sense now,” he says, shaking his head. “The way she looked at you from day one. The way she could never quite commit to giving the two of us a real chance. The way you followed her around like a goddamn shadow even when you were supposedly strangers.”
David looks at me, and beneath the anger, there’s hurt in his eyes.
“You should have told me from the start,” he says quietly. “Instead of making a fool out of me.”
“I didn’t—” I start, but he holds up a hand.
“Don’t. Just…don’t.” He leaves the printer room without looking back, all concern about whether I was okay having vanished.
Kain turns to me, and some of the hardness in his expression melts away, replaced by an almost sheepish look.
“I’m sorry,” he says quietly. “For claiming you like that. I know we’re not—I know things between us are still complicated.”
He’s apologizing, but my heart is racing from the possessiveness in his voice when he said, “my mate.” The way he stepped between David and me without hesitation. The protective fury in his eyes. It all makes need unfurl in my belly like a waking dragon.
“It’s okay,” I manage to whisper.
He studies my face for a moment, then nods. “We’re going home together after work. The organization will have sent scouts, so I need to act normally. They’ll be watching.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll meet you in the parking lot at five.” He reaches out like he wants to touch me, but he stops himself.
Then he’s gone, too, and I’m left standing in the printer room, my heart still pounding, forgotten copies spilling from the machine.
The hours run by quickly after that. Too quickly. I try to focus on work but keep catching glimpses of Kain through windows and doorways—bent over maps with Ethan, talking in low voices with Darius, his expression always focused and intense.
Before I know it, it’s five o’clock. I pack up my things mechanically and join the stream of employees heading to the parking lot. My heart pounds with each step.
Kain is already waiting by my car, his messenger bag slung over one shoulder. He looks tired—shadows under his eyes, his jaw clenched—but better than he did a few days ago. The medicine is still working.
“Ready?” he asks.
I nod, not trusting my voice.
