“Fuck.” He sat up, shrugging my arm off, and I told myself not to take it personally. I was used to people knowing my business. There were no secrets in my pack.
Apart from this huge one.
But I’d rectify that later.
Gabriel was used to more privacy in his personal life, and that was all about to change.
In more ways than one.
I didn’t want to add to his misery this morning, but…
“I’d like to introduce you to my pack.” I needed to, and sooner rather than later, but I didn’t think telling Gabriel that we had no choice in the matter would go down well.
Sure enough, he tensed beside me. “Because you’re the alpha.”
“Yes. But anyone entering into a soulbond would be expected to introduce their mate to their pack.”
“Expected?”
Shit.
He sat up and turned to look down at me. But where I’d expected to see anger, there was only concern. “Are you going to be in trouble with your pack?”
“I’m the alpha.”
He gave me a pointed look, which was fair because I’d never been one to do whatever I liked and fuck everybody else.
I winced. “Not in trouble, exactly. But turning up with a soulmate in tow is going to come as a bit of a surprise.”
“And it’ll be worse if you turn up without one? Because they’ll still know, right?”
I nodded. “They will.” I gestured to my body. “It’s subtle, but my scent has changed.” I couldn’t stop the smile that appeared, nor did I want to.
Gabriel laughed. “And you also look extremely smug.”
“Of course.” I licked my lips, gaze drifting to the base of his throat where my bite mark sat, and a wave of possessiveness washed over me. My voice had a rough edge to it when I spoke. “Because I have you.”
“No.” Gabriel waved a finger at me. “Don’t look at me like that. I have to be at work in about forty minutes. We don’t have time.” Before I could answer that I could be quick, Gabriel frowned. “Max is expecting me, but um… if you need—”
I put my hand up, stopping him. “Yes, I want you to meet my pack, preferably in the next day or so, but not at the expense of your job. Catching whoever’s doing this is way more important than appeasing my pack.”
“You sure?”
It warmed me inside that he was worried, but I meant what I said. “I’ll explain. They’ll understand.” And they would. No matter what, my pack trusted me.
“Okay then.” His gaze dropped to my throat as his hand went to his own. I knew what he was seeing, what he was feeling.
Shifter healing meant the bite he’d given me had already faded to a faint silvery scar, unlike the still-raised one that he wore. I reached for his hand, placing his fingers over the mark that I felt as though it was still fresh. “You might not be able to see it as clearly as I see yours, but I know it’s there. I canfeelit.”
He traced his fingers over the skin where he’d marked me, so sensitive that I shivered under his touch.
“See?” I whispered.
He nodded, his smile tentative but his eyes full of wonder. I wanted nothing more than to pull him back down and consummate our bond all over again, but if I did that, we’d never leave this room, and unfortunately, we both had obligations to fulfil.
* * *
Leaving Gabrielhurt.
