That wasn’t temporary.
That wasn’t something you walk away from.
Not for him.
Not for me.
But still.
I add, softer now, more honest, “Now, I need to go claim my mate. Well, as soon as he says yes.”
Because this time?
This time I’m not assuming.
I’m asking.
And if he chooses me?
Then I’m claiming.
Grrr. Mine.
Chapter 21
Rob
Outside the Pride House, I’m led to an enclosure where we train in our fur.
The Neta stands in the center of the circle, arms wide.
“Look, son, you’re not helping your case,” Hunter says evenly, voice cutting through the chaos in my head like a blade.
“You go tearing through town like this, Hadley’s gonna hear about it—and she might run for the hills. You need to pull yourself together.”
That hits.
Not like a warning.
But like a punch.
My Tiger stutters mid-snarl, the instinct to fight tangling with something sharper.
Fear.
Because the last thing I want—the very last thing—is for her to run from me. To hear about this and decide I’m exactly what she thought I was.
Too dangerous.
Not worth the risk.
Elissa steps forward just enough to catch my attention, her voice quieter, steadier.
“Rob, I get that you’re upset. I really do,” she says. “But you can’t force her. Not her, not this process. Not even if Date to Mate matched you. Not even if she is your fated mate.”
My jaw tightens so hard it aches.
Because I’m not trying to force anything.
