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I shook my head. “That’s not what I mean.”

For one last, delusional second, I told myself that I could just keep this to myself. I’d leave him in the dark, because I’d never hurt Dakota, and he’d never know what it cost me.

Maybe that was how it should’ve been, but?—

Well, fuck.

We were whole-truthing it. If there were a chance in hell of me looking at Dakota as anything like a mate, he deserved nothing less.

“Werewolf bites,” I said, “they’re toxic for mages. We can turn humans, once in a while, but with mages? It causes some kind of reaction. I can’t say I understand it.” Truth was, I’d never looked into it. I couldn’t have imagined getting myself into a mess like this, much less finding a mage I was willing to risk trouble for.

Or, hell, a mage I would shove down my instincts for.

“The way your magic works... Most mages who are bitten by a werewolf lose their magic.” A magic that was new to Dakota, sure. Maybe he wasn’t that attached yet, but there was more than just power at risk here. “It’s not just that you could lose your magic. A werewolf’s bite could be terminal for a mage.”

Dakota’s brow furrowed. “So then don’t bite me.”

I stared at him, a laugh bubbling toward my lips that I barely managed to bite back.

As if my wolf hadn’t already decided he was ours to claim and bite and mark. As if it didn’t howl desperately each time that we were reminded that he wasn’t ours and couldn’t be.

We didn’t have a future, and it ached more than I could’ve prepared for to admit that, even to myself.

Dakota? He didn’t seem to understand.

“I trust you. I mean, I know you’ve sneaked in a nibble or two, but that feels nice, and I trust you. You’re not going to hurt me.” He smiled with full confidence, his dark eyes gleaming.

My howl sang through my bones, even as I swallowed it down.

My own smile must’ve wavered, and a line appeared between Dakota’s brows.

But before he could press for more, the phone on my desk screamed shrilly.

It was from the reception desk.

Before I could even ask if Dakota minded me picking up, he nodded. “It’s fine.”

My stomach rolled as I picked up the receiver.

“Sir, Igarashi Minori is downstairs. There’s no appointment on your calendar, but she’s?—”

I could hear the strain in the receptionist’s voice. Igarashi Minori was my future business partner. She was allowed to show up unannounced.

“Send her up.”

“Yes, sir.”

When I hung up the phone, Dakota was staring at me curiously. “Everything okay?”

“Igarashi Minori’s here. The Igarashi second-in-command.” A prickle of anxiety crawled up the back of my neck. I didn’t know what she wanted, or why she’d show up without the rest of her team, but most of all, I wasn’t sure I was capable of figuring that out without help.

“Do you want me to stay?”

A wave of relief washed over me at Dakota’s question. I might not be capable of handling her, but I didn’t have the slightest doubt that he was.

“Please.”

The only problem was that I meant it for more than just one meeting. I wanted him to stay, and if I let him, it meant risking his very life.