Page 119 of Quarterback Sneak

He arches an eyebrow. “So,” he says in return.

“So, I’m not getting out of a follower anytime soon?”

“No. Somebody will shadow you at all times when you’re at a public place and then outside your dorm.”

“And you don’t think that’s a little overkill?”

“No.” His face is serious.

I lean back in my chair. “Tell me about mates.”

His eyes don’t leave mine. “What do you want to know?”

“I don’t know. Everything, I guess.”

He smiles. “Okay, I’ll do my best. As I already said, wolves bond for life. We wait for our mate.”

“What if you don’t find your mate?” I interject.

His voice is solemn. “Wolves eventually lose their humanity if they don’t bond.” My eyes widen at that. “Not for a very long time,” he rushes to reassure me. “But they go rogue if they don’t find their mate.”

“What happens to them if they go rogue?”

“They have to get put down, but it’s usually pretty dangerous.”

I shudder, and he reaches across the table for my hand. “But that’s not going to happen to me. I found you. That’s why mates are so important to us, though. We guard them fiercely.” He studies my face a moment. “I will never push you for more than you’re ready for, Evie. If you never wanted to bond with me, I would let you go live your life.”

“Would you find somebody else?”

“No. You’re it for me. Even if I could mate another, I wouldn’t. You’re the only girl for me.”

My heart sort of melts at his words. “Are you sure? We don’t know each other all that well.”

He rubs his thumb over my knuckles. “I know you, Evie. You love orange chicken and iced coffee. You work hard and stay up late to study. You help anybody that comes across your path, including giving away your free drinks at the coffee shop. You don’t ever make fun of people, and you have a tender heart.You like to have fun and aren’t afraid to laugh at yourself. You give your whole heart to everything you do, even if it’s a sport you don’t play often.” He smiles at me. “I see you, and I love everything about you.”

Slate comes into the kitchen without a shirt, dripping with sweat. He walks past us and grabs a water before leaning against the counter and eyeing us. “Did he tell you about the bond?”

I nod and glance Slate’s way. “He did.”

“Did he tell you it’s weakening him?”

I turn back to Zane in confusion, but he’s busy glaring at Slate. “What do you mean?” I ask, looking between the two of them.

“Nothing,” Zane answers first.

I turn to Slate who watches me carefully. “The longer he goes with the bond between you not completed, he’s in pain.”

“Slate.” Zane’s voice is a growl.

I face Zane. “Is that true?”

“I’m fine,” he grinds out.

“He’s not,” Slate says.

“Slate,” Zane barks out.

“Zane, stop. I want to know.”