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We talked a bit more and my wolf seemed settled that she believed me but wasn’t accepting things were okay. She said as much and that she needed some time to process after this was all blown way out of proportion.

“Can I ask why you didn’t tell me about Mandy?” I hedged, still needing to know that.

She gave me a tired look. “I only found out at the end of work the day before. I was going to tell you, but someone made me completely forget everything else and I didn’t think she’d be so stupidly bold to pull something the nextmorning. Of course I would have told you if I’d known there was a clock on it. I figured oops, we had fun instead and I’d tell you at lunch.”

Fair enough. Yeah, that was more than fair.

“Is it a mess with your pack?” she asked as we cleaned up the containers and stored stuff in her fridge.

“My parents are trying to keep most of it from me because they’re worried I could feel guilty or still have lingering feelings for her,” I answered honestly. “It’s really not like that. My feelings for her died hard a long time ago when I realized I was just an investment to her—a way to move up in the pack and her station.”

“Yeah, everything changes when you realize you’re being used like that. Others can’t always understand that.”

I realized I needed to be honest with her when I was pushing for it as well. “I overheard some of what happened today. The guards weren’t gossiping. My hearing is just that good and theywere warning a newbie that while the hospital gossips, never about your situation and how you help vampires like that.”

“Because I was once in that situation,” she finished for me. She sighed when I didn’t say anything and turned off the water before wiping her hands on the towel longer than needed. “I was never mated but yes, my parents tried to force me into a few to benefit them. It’swaymore complicated than that and I ask you leave it be.”

“Of course. I just wanted—I didn’t want…” I let out an even longer breath. “I don’t want lies between us. Not telling each other things yet or—it gets my pup head tied up. Keeping things from each other seems like secrets and lying but I get it. Mandy was a mix because I needed to know too and it involved me. Your stuff is yours.”

“Yes, and I am sorry you found out like that.” She snorted. “I’m sorry it blew up and hurt you but shit, it was the cleanest break to get the board out that I hadn’t seen coming. So I almost want to thank the slutbag. I mean she can’t fuck with you again either since she’s going to lose her license and be in prison for a while.”

Yeah, that was more than fair.

“I’m sorry you had to run from your family,” I told her after a moment. “Even with our messed up dynamic, I still had people to turn to and get help from. I’ve never completely been on my own and had to run. I cannot imagine how terrifying that was for you.”

She looked a bit too haunted as she stared off in the distance. “Thank you, but I’m also glad it happened. A lot of good things wouldn’t have come about in this world if I hadn’t experienced what I did.” She cleared her throat and finished up around the kitchen. “As someone you declared smarter than you, I have some advice if you’re open to it.”

“Always,” I accepted. “From you? Always.”

She seemed to truly hear me that I meant it and relaxed. “You said you had your mates who helped you and you truly trusted. Money man and an attorney—a few others. All successful and from big families in the pack.” She waited until I nodded. “Form an LLC with them here and that is how you invest with your sister for this Miami project.

“She might be willing to fuck you over, but could she handle the pressure of other predominant families being upset with her in your parent’s pack?” She smirked when I blinked at her. “Always hedge your bets, darling. I know people are judging us for the board mess, but it was aneededevil to get to this point. One we knew we could get out of. Do the same.”

“That’s perfect. Thanks, Ellie.”

“Of course.” She cleared her throat, and I took the hint.

“I should go,” I mumbled, wanting to stay more than anything.

She reached out and grabbed my forearm when I went to walk by, not looking up at me but focused on the counter. “I don’t know if this is okay to ask, but I’m going to anyways.”

“Please do,” I whispered, leaning into her.

“We’re not okay—I mean, I think we’re going to be okay. This seems like a smaller hiccup that I just need to feel you really mucked up and it’s not—I think we’re going to be okay. Just not yet.”

“I’m sorry I hurt you and fucked up.” I leaned in and kissed her hair, unsure of what else to do or what she was asking for.

She moved closer, so I took it as doing the right thing. “Please stay. Nothing funny or naughty. I just don’t want to be alone, and everything has been so—you made this so much harder on me by making me feel like discarded trash because I didn’t behave how you wanted.”

My heart hurt. It was like a kick to the groin to hear her say that. “I’m so sorry, love. I didn’t feel that at all. It was my stupidpup head.” I hugged her tightly and relief filled me when she snuggled closer. I could just about feel her exhaustion.

Which was why I wasn’t too surprised when I realized she’d fallen asleep against me.

I carried her to bed and got her all tucked in, making sure to dry her hair a bit even. I made sure everything was how it should be in the condo and it was all locked up before joining her. I simply held her and slept.

And it was exactly what I needed. It was perfect.

Fuck, I’d missed her. I’d been such a duffer to risk this and make such a fuss out of everything. She could be a doctor or an alien or—I didn’t care.