Page 16 of Arrested By My Mate

I don’t know. We can’t keep her against her will.

Sure, we can,he argues, and I shake my head.

No, we can’t, and deep down, you know that too.

He ignores me then, turning his back on me and curling up inside of me.

I try not to get too anxious as I finish up work and wonder about what’s to come next.

SEVEN

Nori

Somehow,I’m not surprised when I wake up the next morning to find Tucker fast asleep on the floor of my cell. I’m still trying to wrap my brain around all of this shifter and fated mate business, but I can’t deny that some of what he said at least is true, which means that it probably all is.

If he really knew that I was meant to be his when he first smelled me, then that explains why he was acting so strange, and why he arrested me for speeding instead of giving me a ticket. If we’re really fated mates, then that explains why he was obsessed with me from the second that he saw me.

I can wrap my head around all of that, around his feelings. It’s mine that are giving me the trouble.

If I’m really meant only for him, then is that why I’ve never been attracted to anyone besides Tucker? Is that why I had such strong feelings for him too, when I first saw him?

This all feels like it’s going so fast, but if I’m honest with myself, my body agrees with him. It’s my head and my heart that are holding me back.

I flashback to when he shifted for me. I had been shocked and scared shitless when the wolf was in front of me, but part of me was also strangely calm. It was like I knew that I would be okay.

The wolf was so much bigger than I expected, and it left me with a million questions. Ones that I should probably ask before tomorrow when I need to decide if I want him to mark me and make me his.

Tucker starts to stir, and I sit up on my cot.

“Morning,” I say, and he smiles.

“Morning,” he croaks, wincing as he sits up.

“What are you in for?” I joke, and he grins.

“I couldn’t leave my mate alone.”

“So, then, last night…” I say, trailing off, and he nods.

“I slept in here last night, too,” he confirms.

“So, if we’re mates, do you just never leave my side?” I ask him, and he shakes his head.

“No, I mean, my wolf and I would like that, but we won’t suffocate you. Once we’re mated, and you’re mine, then there won’t be this frantic need inside of me to claim you. It will ease.”

I nod, chewing on my bottom lip and he pushes to his feet.

“Does that mean that you’re agreeing to be mine?” He asks hopefully and I shake my head.

“I’m still thinking. I have so many questions.”

“I’ll answer all of them. Let me go grab us some breakfast first.”

I nod and he heads out of the cell, hesitating at the door. I can see that he’s torn about keeping me locked up, that he hates doing it, but he can’t risk me leaving. A weird part of me kind of gets it.

The door rattles as he slides it closed and then he’s clearing his throat.

“What are you hungry for?”

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