Page 64 of The Night Calling

But …

I frowned. “What about when the mating bond snapped? You didn’t tell anyone; you didn’t do anything about it. Was it because of your father?”

He nodded. “I was afraid that if he knew, he would hurt you and keep you from me. I didn’t do anything about it, but I was trying to come up with a solution. How could we tell everyone and keep you safe? But before I could figure out—“

“Conri attacked,” I finished for him. I was baffled. All these answers … I hadn’t expected this from him. “Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why did you do all of this? Why did you care? You had no reason to. You barely knew me. All you must have seen was an angry girl who lost her temper and retorted, which got her in more trouble.”

The corner of his lips tugged up. “I barely knew you. I confess, yes, it began because you were pretty, even as a child, and that made me curious. I thought the omega would be an ugly monster. But you were beautiful. And when I saw you cowering because of the others, I became protective. I didn’t know why. Then, with time, I ended up taking notice of everything else. I swear, not in a creepy way. I didn’t go out of my way to stalk you, but you were everywhere I looked. Perhaps it was the bond already pulling me toward you.”

I shook my head. I had never had much contact with him, but I did see a lot of him. He was the damn alpha heir, and he was always surrounded by other wolves who I thought were trying to kiss his ass. Especially Lucille, Dom, and Mace, three of my worst tormentors.

“It is a little creepy,” I joked, trying to lighten the mood.

He shrugged. “I call it being protective. And while I was being protective, I got to know you. Your favorite color is teal, but you wear mostly black. Your favorite food is cheese lasagna followed closely by caramel ice cream. You love music and wanted to take dance lessons, but the dance teacher wouldn’t let you join the studio. I know you love reading and could read at least a book day, if you had your way.”

“I wish I had the time to read more.”

“I know. I also know you are kind and like to be helpful and you have the most beautiful and contagious smile I've ever seen, and you practically only show it to my sister. I know you are smart and had great grades even though no one left you alone in school. You could have acted on your anger so many times, and yes, you snapped here and there, who wouldn’t? Honestly, I don’t know how you controlled yourself. But that showed me you are strong, brave, and fierce. Even now, with everything stacked against you, without any hope, you went out of your way to make sure my sister is well, that our pack is being taken care of.”

My cheeks heated up. “I think you’re seeing things.” I definitely wasn’t all of that. In my mind, I was lonely, insignificant, scared, and weak. He was mistaken.

“No, Raika, you’re the one who doesn’t see yourself. You’re amazing. You’re beautiful inside and out.” He stared at me, those eyes locked on mine. “I’m so incredibly proud to be your mate.”

I sucked in a sharp breath as if I was seeing him for the first time.

He wasn’t a cocky bastard. No, that had been a facade so his father wouldn’t punish him, or his siblings, for being weak. But he wasn’t weak. He put on a brave face, and he endured it all. He protected his siblings, and he protected me.

I had no idea Shane had done all that for me, that he had cared that much, that he had kept his distance from me so I wouldn’t be hurt.

My heart squeezed and the bond deep inside my chest warmed up.

“I think I preferred when I thought you hated me,” I whispered.

He cocked his head. “Why?”

“Because it was easier to hold on to anger.”

Shane pushed the open box to the side and scooted closer to me, his eyes never leaving mine. “What are you feeling now?”

“It’s a jumble right now, but I’m not angry at you anymore. And I certainly don’t hate you. Far from it.”

Shane reached to me and picked up my hand in his. “Do you don’t hate me enough to let me kiss you right now?”

My throat grew dry. I nodded.

Shane hooked his hands around my hips, pulling me toward him. I fell into his lap, my legs straddling his, and my chest pressed to his. My breath came out in little bursts as one of his hands splayed on the small of my back, pressing me against him, while the other closed around my nape. He brushed his lips on mine, and I practically whimpered.

By the moon.

Who was I kidding? I wanted this. I wanted him.

I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and parted my lips to him, letting him in.

Letting him take all of me.