Gavin POV
I needed her. The pain of so many pack members dying and the stress and worry that encumbered me from the Tainted on top of resisting the mate bond, had taken its toll. All I had wanted was to hold her close, and just…never let go. Erik had told me I’d have to be vulnerable around her at some point. At least in this instance, it was genuine.
Around my pack and other supernatural kind, I’d never let this show. They’d see a stoic, strong leader.
But my walls crumbled around Trisha. Erik had acted a bit on his part, to drive her towards me. He knew I needed her at that moment. He had proven he was loyal, despite the burning jealousy I felt coming off him in waves. But being in Trisha’s home, surrounded by her scent, I hadn’t had to act. Only my Beta and Gamma had seen me like t
