Page 111

Correction, his wolf growled.

“Newly mated. Keep your distance,” Kurt said, striding past them into the house. “Pants, Mack. Pants.”

Reluctantly, he handed Ella off to Callan and pulled on his sweatpants.

“You know, you could’ve tried talking more. Explaining more about what she would see instead of like, here’s my tail and teeth.” Callan shrugged.

He was starting to think Ben might’ve been a better wingman. And that was saying something.

“Or I could’venotbeen bitten in the first goddamn place.” Mack snapped, pulling open the door and stepping inside. Regret hit him square in the chest the moment the words left his lips.

Mack turned.

Callan locked the door behind them.

“I didn’t mean that.”

“You did.” Callan smiled sadly. “None of us chose this. But do you really hate it that much?”

Mack nestled Ella against his chest and glanced down at her. “What if she leaves me?”

“Remember how angry Virginia was when she arrived in Greenwood?” Callan smirked.

How could any of them forget—she was a nightmare.

Mack let out a small laugh. “So what? Love overcomes everything?”

He didn’t believe that.

People could love you and not stay with you.

“No. Communication. Talk to her, Mack. From what I’ve observed, Ella is a smart female. She needs to understand—”

“She thinks she’ll turn into one.”

It had been his concern until speaking with Kurt, but Mack was right, he’d gone and shifted instead of telling her everything.

Dumb.

Still, none of them knew enough about the wolves to know if the mating bond had the same implications with hybrids as it did vampires.

Ellacouldleave him if she turned into a wolf and that would kill them both. Didn’t she understand?

“I’ve spoken to Sage about this. She thinks I’m the sole gene carrier. Which means, unlessIbite your pretty mate, she will be fine.” Callan glanced at Ella and, without thinking, Mack moved.

“Fangs away from my girl.”

“She’s going to wake in a minute. Take her to your room and talk, Mack. Words.”

Blah, blah.

He’d rather show her how he felt about her.

With his cock.

But the hybrid was right.

THE MOMENT HE placed Ella on the bed she began to stir. Mack lay down beside her and tugged the blanket up. Then he rested his hand on her hip.