Page 103 of Moonlight & Mayhem

Mayhem stilled, and Moon looked up. “I know that now,” she said.

Something inside his chest shifted. “Moonlight.”

“You never asked me to leave Dark Chaos,” she said.

“I never will,” he promised.

“You never asked me to become Silverfang,” she reminded.

“You don't need another patch,” he teased.

“You never asked me to stop being the club’s doctor,” she said.

“Pretty sure Dark Chaos would murder me if I ever did that,” he said.

“They would,” she agreed.

“Especially Christmas,” he said.

Moon laughed softly. “Definitely Christmas.” Mayhem smiled, and Moon's expression became serious again. “You never asked me to choose between you and them.”

“I wouldn't ever do that, baby,” he assured.

“I know.” She stepped closer. “So I need you to understand something.”

Mayhem's wolf became very still. “What?” He felt as though he was holding his breath.

“What happened in Black Hollow—” she started.

“The bond?” he asked.

“Yes.” Moon swallowed. “I didn't open myself to it because you were dying.”

His stomach tightened. “You didn't?”

“No. I knew it might save you, but that's not why I did it.” Mayhem stared at her and Moon reached for his hand. Her fingers threaded through his. No black veins appeared, no monitor accelerated, and nothing happened except the simple warmth of her palm against his. For the first time, her touch wasn't medicine—it was just Moon and him. “I chose you before I knew it would work,” she said. Mayhem forgot how to breathe, and Moon squeezed his hand. “I need you to know that.”

“Why?” he asked.

She frowned. “Why what?”

“Why me?” he questioned. Moon stared at him like he'd asked the stupidest question imaginable.

Maybe he had. Mayhem shrugged. “You spent half your time trying to convince yourself you didn't want a mate.”

“I did,” she agreed.

“And the other half threatening to sedate me,” he said.

“You deserved it,” she teased.

“Probably.”

Moon smiled, and she touched his face. “It’s because you make me laugh when I want to scream.” Mayhem's throat tightened. “You make me angry.”

“Also one of my better qualities,” he joked.

“You don't listen,” she continued.