About me. About the mate bond. About what happened with Jaxon.
"You're going to tell them," I said.
"Yes."
"And then what?"
He was quiet for a moment. "Then it becomes official. The Apex has a mate. It will spread through wolf society within hours. There will be… consequences."
"What kind of consequences?"
"For you? Attention. Scrutiny. Questions about who you are and whether you're worthy of the position." His voice hardened.
"For Ashford? I'm going to make it very clear what happens to wolves who try to do anything unpleasant to my mate."
The possessiveness in his tone should have bothered me. Should have set off alarm bells about controlling Alpha males and toxic behavior.
Instead, it made something warm unfurl in my chest. My wolf preened at the thought of being protected, c
