***Rose POV***
Deciding that my unhappiness with Alina needed to stay between me and her, I considered my answer carefully.
"Your mother has your best interest at heart. It is natural for a mother to want to protect her son." I met Black's penetrating gaze unflinchingly.
"If my mother feels the need to protect me against my own mate, she and I will need to have a talk about appropriate topics of conversation when the two of you are alone."
Changing tactics, I unfolded my legs and rose from my seat. I closed the gap between us, standing as close to Black as I could without touching him. This meant I had to tilt my head back completely to look at him. A smock of his hair tumbled free and into his eyes as he looked down at me.
His eyes softened as the last bit of his anger dissipated.
