I slip inside my room. It takes me a few minutes to even notice Stephanie. “Oh, hey.”
She grins at me. “Let me guess. Slater walked you up.”
“How’d you know?” I ask.
“Because you were oblivious to the fact that I was even in the room.”
“I knew you were in the room.”
“Uh, huh. Sure, you did.”
I grin at her and head into the bathroom to get dressed and ready for bed. A few minutes later, I’m dressed in my pajama pants and tank top, with Slater’s long-sleeved shirt over the top. I climb into bed with every intention of studying, but I make it about fifteen minutes before I can’t keep my eyes open any longer. I shut my books with a groan. “I can’t do anymore. I’m going to sleep.”
“Good,” Stephanie says from where she’s leaning over her books, studying. “You need sleep.”
I crawl under my covers and sigh. “I love bedtime.”
Stephanie laughs. “Me too. Get some sleep. I’ll turn off the lights.”
“Thanks. You too.” I’m out before she even turns off the lights. But it’s a rough night. I have a hard time sleeping, and when I do, the nightmares come. I get up early the next morning and spend the extra time studying. Slater meets me downstairs in the lobby.
“Morning.” He hands me an iced coffee, and my eyes light up.
“Caffeine and sugar—my love language. Thank you!” I take a long sip and close my eyes. When I open my eyes, Slater’s watching me carefully. “What?”
“Did you sleep well?”
I shrug. “Not really.” He continues to watch me, and I cave. “I had a rough night. I kept having nightmares about that...thing,” I finish quietly.
He tugs me into his arms. “I’ve got you.” His hand runs up and down my spine. “I’m so sorry, Tess. This has all been too much. I should have never—”
“This is not on you,” I tell him, leaning back. “You kept me safe.” The truth comes to me, even as I speak the words.
His jaw tightens. “I will always keep you safe.” I stare up at him, believing those words with every course of my being. I don’t know how or why, but I know he’s telling the truth. “Because you’re mine. You’re my mate, Tess. You are the only one in the world for me, the other half of my soul. I knew it the moment I scented you, the moment you crashed into Evie’s room, and I saw you for the first time. Just like Evie is Zane’s mate, you are mine.”
“How do you know?” I whisper.
“Because my wolf knew you as his, and our wolves don’t make a mistake. They scent their female and know who she is the moment they catch her scent. There is only one mate in the world for each wolf. Some wolves go their entire lives without meeting their mate, but I’m one of the lucky ones.” A full smile splits his face. “You, Shorty, are my mate.”
His words cause such warmth to flood me, I almost cry. But I manage to keep my emotions in check. “What if I didn’t want to be?” I can barely get the words out because they are the furthest thing from the truth, but I want to know if I have a choice.
He goes very still. “You have a choice, Tessa. Always. I would never force you to accept me and my wolf. The choice would be yours.”
I cock my head to the side. “Do you get a choice?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, your wolf chose for you. What if you didn’t want me?”
He stares down at me. “There is no chance in the universe that any part of me doesn’t want you, Tessa Parker. You are mymate, the other half of my soul. Even if you weren’t, I would want you anyway.”
“Why?” I can’t help but ask.
“For so many reasons. You love others wholeheartedly without wanting anything in return. You are literally the sun in my life. There’s a brightness to you that shines brighter than the sun. Your smile can brighten anyone’s day. You’re funny, and you have an enthusiasm and zest for life that I want to be a part of.”
“Are you sure we’re talking about the same person?” I ask.
He tugs me closer. “Yes. We’re talking about you, Tessa Parker.”
