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“Maybe? I don’t know. They never really paid much attention to me before, but I think the marriage was part of some business deal. They might make them care more. I didn’t want him. I didn’t want that life. So I left.

Her eyes meet mine, all the uncertainty from a moment ago disappearing beneath her determined glare. “I’m not going back.”

“Good, because I’m not going to let them take you. You’re not going back there,” I say firmly.

Some of the tension leaves Elsie’s shoulders, and I give her a minute before clearing my throat.

“So…” I glance around the kitchen. “About you breaking into my house.”

Elsie’s cheeks turn a delicious shade of pink, and I have to bite back a smile.

“I’m sorry about that. I thought it was abandoned.”

I raise an eyebrow.

“It’s so empty,” she elaborates, waving her hand around.

I frown, looking around my house, realizing she has a point. The kitchen has a table, two chairs, and the usual appliances, but that’s it. Nothing on the counters. No clutter. No sign that someone actually spends time here.

The living room is the same. No trinkets or photographs. No blankets or cushions or any of that stuff people add to make a house feel like a home.

It’s never bothered me before.

Now, I find myself wondering what Elsie likes. Rugs? Pillows? Pictures on the walls? I’ll buy whatever she wants, give her anything she needs to convince her to stay with me. Because my wolf and I have skipped right past you tried to break into my house and gone straight to make her a nest and never let her leave.

“I just wanted somewhere to sleep for a little while,” Elsie says quietly.

My attention snaps back to her. “You can stay here. You’ll be safe.”

“No, I can’t do that to you. I’ll find my own place.”

“No need.” I lean forward. “Stay here. At least until we know whether your parents are looking for you. You’ll have somewhere safe to sleep, plenty to eat, and you won’t have to keep looking over your shoulder.”

Elsie hesitates, looking torn.

I hold my breath as I wait for her reply.

Don’t let her leave! my wolf orders. Tell her about us, about fated mates. Mark her, and make her stay.

She has to choose us, I reply calmly. Be patient.

He snaps at me, but I ignore him.

“Okay. For a few days,” Elsie finally agrees.

I release a heavy breath and smile. “Good. Do you want to take another nap? Rest on the couch and watch TV?”

“Can I take a shower?” she asks, twisting her fingers together on the table.

“Of course. You don’t have to ask. Make yourself at home.”

She nods and pushes to her feet. I’m out of my chair almost as quickly, hovering close enough to catch her if the dizziness hits again. Thankfully, she seems steady as she heads back to the bedroom. I watch her go, then take a deep breath.

She’s staying.

My wolf practically preens at the thought.

We convinced her to stay. Now I need to earn her trust. Then, somehow, I have to explain about shifters and fated mates, and tell her that the man whose house she broke into is hers.