It’s Zane that responds. “He is, Tessa. Slate is incredibly dangerous, just as any of us are. He’s a shifter, and that means his other half is a dangerous predator.” He makes sure I am listening to him and waits for my eyes to meet his once again. “You, his mate, are always one hundred percent safe with him. In fact, the safest place ever for you is at his side. But he wasn’t chosen as the future enforcer for our pack because of his sunny disposition.”
Quint snorts out a laugh. “Sunny disposition.”
“Slate was chosen by me as the future pack enforcer because of that side of him that will do what needs to be done to keep the members of our pack safe. I trust him with my life. I trust him with Evie’s life, which is even more important. And I trust him with the responsibility of being the head enforcer over our entire pack. Slateisdangerous, but only to his enemies.”
“Or anybody that flirts with you or touches you,” Quint adds. I expect him to grin like he usually does, but he stays completely serious.
“Or heaven-forbid, threatens you,” Zane adds.
“But once again, we want to reiterate that you are safe with Slate,” Evie says, looking between Quint and Zane. “Right?”
“One hundred percent,” Zane agrees.
“Yes,” Quint adds.
I take a deep breath and blow it out. “Okay, Zane, do you want to try to let some of the control go. I think I can handle it. Wait, before you do, I have a question. Do you think if Slater andI completed the bond, it would break the bracelet’s hold? The magic would no longer have control of me?”
He meets my gaze. “I don’t know.”
“But if you had to guess,” I push. I know Slater’s thoughts on it; I want to hear Zane’s.
I can practically see the wheels turning. “If Slater could bite you and complete the bond, there’s a possibility the power would be broken, especially if the point of it was to keep him away from you.”
“But Tessa, you can’t even manage to let him touch you for a second. How would you be able to endure it? It’s not exactly super fast,” she says with a glance at Zane. He gives her a small smile, and my heart aches. I miss Slater. “Okay, Zane. Let’s try you releasing some of the emotion you’re holding back.”
“Are you sure, Tessa?” Evie asks in concern. “It was so overwhelming for me.”
“I want to at least try. I’m not going to keep Zane bound all weekend doing this. I mean, it can’t hurt to try, right?” Evie casts a worried look at Zane, and I know it’s concern for me; but it’s also concern for Zane. It’s the motivation I need. “Just try. If it’s too much, I’ll tell you.”
“Okay. Let’s try. I’m going to start pulling back some of my power, and you’ll start to feel Slate’s emotions again.”
“It can’t be that bad, right? I mean it’s Slate we’re talking about. The guy doesn't have emotion,” Quint says.
I shoot him a look. “Yes, he does.”
Quint puts his hands up in surrender. “Okay.”
“I mean it’s not sprinkles and butterflies,” I tell him.
Quint nearly doubles over in laughter. “Sprinkles and butterflies. Tess, you’re awesome.”
“I’m pretty sure it’d be more like shadows and snakes or something,” Evie adds.
Quint grins. “What kind of emotion is it?” He doesn’t look like he’s trying to tease me now; he looks concerned.
“It’s more like,” I pause and think about what I felt earlier. “A combination of protectiveness mixed with ruthlessness and danger.”
Quint takes that in. “Yeah, that tracks.”
“Quint, I’m going to start lessening my power. Watch her and let me know if it starts overwhelming her,” Zane says.
“Wait,” Evie jumps in. “Can we go inside at least?”
“Yeah. I can hold the connection. Tessa, let’s go inside where you’ll be more comfortable.”
I nod and without a word, grab my bag, and climb out of the truck. I barely take in the details of the rental house; my mind is too busy and too chaotic. Now that I know what’s going on, I wish Slater was here. More than that, I wish he could just give me a stinkin hug. “I hate this stupid bracelet,” I say to no one in particular. I have a sudden urge to call my mom, but I’m not sure what to say.Hey, so I think I found my person—that one where my heart just knows. Oh, and by the way, he turns into a wolf; and he says I’m his fated mate. He’s going to bite me, maybe...if he decides he wants me as his fated mate. Then we’re going to be tied together forever and probably have to live with his pack and never see my family again.
“Tess.” Evie’s voice breaks through my mental panic. “You okay? You look a little pale.”
