“You won,” she points out.
“Barely.”
“A win is a win,” she says. “We’ll take it, and we’re going to the semifinals.”
I can’t even think about soccer right now. “How are you doing? For real?”
She swallows hard. “I’m a little nervous.”
“It’s okay to be scared.”
She blows out a breath. “Okay, I’m terrified.”
My chest expands, but I feel like I can’t get enough air. “We’re going to resolve this,” I promise. “Let’s go to Alpha Blackwood’s house, and we’ll figure it out.”
Right then, he gives the next set of orders. “All right. We’re heading to my house; let’s load up.”
Evie turns to Tessa to talk to her a moment, and Alpha Blackwood puts his hand on my shoulder. “You doing okay? I know not bonding puts a strain on your body. It can make you weak and unable to perform at the level you’re used to performing at. I know it was hard for Zane.”
“I’m fine.”
He only nods. “Come see me if it becomes too much, okay?”
“I will.” I wait for Tessa to finish speaking with Evie before she walks over to where we’re standing.
“Want to ride with me?” I ask. She nods, and we walk over to my truck.
Chapter 33
Tessa
I stare out the window as Slater drives. My mind feels messy and chaotic. I get like this when I'm overtired; I can’t make sense of anything and everything is a bigger deal than it really is. But right now, it really does feel like things are out of control. I glance down at the bracelet on my wrist. It looks so normal, but when Slater touched me, it was like my entire body was being electrocuted. I’m a touchy person, and I’ve gotten used to being touched by Slater. The thought of him not being able to touch me or me him makes me panicky. I stare at the bracelet and try to remember everything Sam said. Then I think of that dark, hideous creature Slater killed. A shudder of revulsion flows through me.
“Hey.” Slater’s calm voice brings me back to reality. He reaches over like he’s going to touch me but drops his hand at the last minute. “It’s going to be okay.” I look over at him and see the reassurance in his eyes. “I will keep you safe, Tess.”
Those words settle the panic rising inside me, and I stare at the man who is literally becoming my everything. I take a breath, scared of the strong feelings I have. I’ve never shied away from strong feelings before; I’ve always been super emotional. But I’m scared of how strong my feelings are for him; we haven’t even known each other that long. “Tess.” His voice is low and strong. “What are you thinking? I can feel you mentally spiraling.” He looks over at me. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”
“I’m scared of what I feel for you,” I tell him with gut-level honesty. “It feels like too much too soon.”
He parks outside of a house before turning to me. “I hear you. It is a lot. I think maybe it’s easier on me because I’ve always known this would happen when I found my mate. For you, this is all brand new. If I could give you this reassurance—you are it for me. There will never be another woman for me. So, while it feels like a lot really fast, and it is, this is real, Tess. What we have between us is real; it’s not going anywhere. It will only continue to grow stronger.”
“Are you sure I’m the one you want?” I ask, not looking away from him.
“Absolutely.” There’s not an ounce of hesitation in his voice.
“Am I the one you want?” he asks in return.
My eyebrows hit my hairline, and I sputter out a laugh. “Slater, any woman would want you.”
“I want to know ifyouwant me.”
I stare him in the eye and force myself to be braver than I ever have been. There’s always a risk to putting yourself out there; but that’s a risk I want to take.With him. “Yes.”
He stares at me. “Man, I wish I could touch you.”
The high I was feeling dissipates. “Right. Well, I guess we should get this figured out then.”
He blows out a breath. “Yeah.” I turn to my door, but he stops me. “Tess.”
