Page 51 of Hidden

He tapped his nose, and his mouth thinned. “And I didn’t come here with the intention of bringing you back against your will. I’m only here to observe.”

I blinked at him. “What are you observing?”

“What differenceintentcan make,” Titus said. “I messed up, in the beginning.”

I was too tired for this. I had no idea what he was talking about. “What do you mean?”

“I’m a shifter. We play games,” he said. “I knew you were scared, but you fought back and tried to hide it. Because of that, I thought it was okay. It wasn’t until you mentioned it while we were setting up in the basement that I realized I was coming on too strong.”

I frowned. “What?”

“I’m a predator and you’re prey. I didn’t consider that with my approach.” Titus’s voice was a smooth tenor. “We know how to change how we’re perceived.”

My heartbeat echoed in my ears, and I wasn’t sure I understood. This sudden admission from Titus was strange. “Whatare you talking about?”

“Iwaschasing you. This had never happened to me before, so I followed my instincts.” His face was dark. “I thought it would be fun. The way you brushed me off was endearing, and it was even more impressive when you got me with the pepper spray. Iknewyou were scared, but I thought you were playing, too. I didn’t realize there was an underlying cause for your fear. I—”

Before he could continue this confusing monologue, I’d moved to my knees, pressing forward until I was able to silence him with a finger to his lips. “What is your point? I told you I’m not scared of you anymore.”

He pulled back slightly. “But youdidsay you were afraid of being eaten before. I knew that hunts existed, with fae being their prime game. I should have made the connection.”

My arm began to shake.

The boys had donealltheir research. This was more than I’d ever wanted anyone to know. “I didn’t know they were s-s-shifters…”

Titus raised an eyebrow.

“It’s obviousnow. I tried not to think about it. No one ever changed in front of me. I thought they were wild dogs. Which, if you think about it, is scarier. I thought I was going to die.”

My teeth were chattering, and then Titus’s arms were around me. “It won’t happen again.”

“How do you know?” How could he make such an impossible promise? “Are you going to toss me in one of your secret treasure caves so no one can find me?”

Titus’s chest rumbled beneath my cheek. “Which one?”

I knew he had a cave! I tried to look at him, but his arms held me firmly against him. “Titus!”

“I have many homes around the world,” Titus said, sounding somewhat amused. “The others don’t know the extent of my connections. But no, I’m not going to take you anywhere unless you ask. There’s no reason to; that’s no kind of life.”

He didn’t sound scared. But considering what Julian and Damen had told me, shouldn’t he be worried? “I know about the prophecy.”

Titus’s heart thudded and his arms stiffened. But when he spoke, his voice was the same as ever. “Is that so?”

“It can’t be true, can it?” I asked.

Titus responded, wariness lacing his tone. “Damen hasn’t confirmed it, so in my opinion, it’s not valid.”

I let out a breath. “Of course not, there’s no way—”

“But youaremy mate,” Titus said, and for the first time his voice had lost that smooth confidence.

The denial burst from me. “You’re wrong. It can’t be me!”

Titus grip tightened, and when he pulled back, one arm remained wrapped around my shoulder. His other hand, however, held on to my chin as he forced my eyes to meet his.

His green eyes had transformed to a dark sage, his irises only a shade away from being swallowed up in black. The expression on his face was heartbreaking. “You’re rejecting—”

“No.” My breath came out in a rush. The last thing I wanted was to hurt him. “I’m not rejecting you. That’s not it.” I’d never been so flattered in my life, but… “What you’re saying, the mate stuff. Itcan’tbe me.”