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this the way you talk to your beloved mate?” A single eyebrow lifts. “I said you were my mate. Not that I loved you.”
I want to go outside, swallow a porcupine, and wait for the internal hemorrhaging to finish me.
“Is this a, um…terminal diagnosis?” His lips twitch. “No cure, I’m afraid.” “I see.” I clear my throat. “Well, this relationship sure escalated quickly.”
“You’re the most beautiful woman that I’ve ever seen,” he says simply. Like it’s not a big deal. Like he’s complimenting my taste in socks. Like I could resemble the reflection of a wart on a doorknob, and it would change nothing for him.
“The gist of this,” I summarize, as though taking minutes for a meeting, “is that you find me attractive.” “That might be the dictionary definition of ‘understatement,’ but yes.” I’m a little heated. “But you won’t, um, die of a broken heart over me?” He sighs. “Humans are so fucking dramatic.” “And Weres are such dicks,” I reply sweetly. “Lucky for you, you’re a mix of both.”
“You’re my closest friend’s husb—mate’s closest friend. And I’d love to get along with you. So maybe we could be, you know, friends.” “What about polite acquaintances?” he counters. I cannot tell whether he’s serious, so I nod. “Deal. And you may quietly pine after me, if you must.”
“I meant what I said, killer. This mate thing is about fucking. The part of me that matters isn’t interested in you. Like me, or don’t,” he says kindly. “I really couldn’t care less.”
“Koen?” I’m almost fully asleep, my lids too heavy to open. “Yeah?” “I think you owe me an apology.” “For what?” “The way you stared at my tits.” Silence. Then, instead of the I’m sorry or Go to fucking sleep I expect, he says, “I think you owe me an apology.” “For what?” “How spectacular your tits are.” God, he really is an epic asshole. “You might be the worst person I’ve ever met.” “Wouldn’t be surprised,” he mutters. I fall asleep with a small smile on my face. And for a few hours, I don’t think about how little time I have left to live.
I frown. “Pretty sure being Alpha of this pack doesn’t give you a pass to eavesdrop on people.” “Pretty sure being Alpha of this pack gives me a pass to run people through the paper shredder and make dinosaur-shaped nuggies out of what’s left.”
“Word of advice, killer?” he murmurs. “Stubborn and stupid is just a couple letters’ difference.”
“You’re just stuck with her because she’s…” “Because she’s what?” Boden seems to have found his limit. The one thing he isn’t willing to bring up. “Come on,” Koen urges calmly. “Say it. What is she?” “Your mate.” “Ah, yes. I’d forgotten about that.” Koen slaps his own temple with the heel of his palm. He continues, monotone, “Since you’re so sure that everyone here despises her, including me, let this be known: fuck with my mate, and I’m going to kill you so slowly, draw it out so long, tectonic plates will move and create whole new mountain ranges. And when the rest of your family comes to
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My eyes lock with his, willing him to understand. “You are the heart of this pack, Koen.” He nods. Even as he says, “And you are mine, Serena.”
