Page 14 of Wedding for My Werewolf

“We need to talk,” he said firmly.

She gripped her duster and gave him a suspicious look. “About what?”

“New guy in town. Blond hair, leather jacket, Southern accent. Ring any bells?”

The color drained from her face, as the acrid tang of fear overlaid her normal sweet scent.

“I don’t?—”

“Don’t lie,” he said sharply. “He’s been asking questions about newcomers. What’s he after?”

“Nothing.” She started to back towards the door. “I should get back to work.”

He stepped between her and the door, and she stared up at him, her eyes wide and scared. His wolf whined at her distress but he couldn’t protect her unless he knew what was going on.

“This isn’t just about you anymore. If he’s dangerous?—”

“Please move.”

“Not until you tell me what’s going on. Are you running from something? Someone?”

“Stop.” Her voice cracked. “You don’t get to interrogate me like I’m some kind of c-criminal.”

“If you’re in trouble?—”

“I said stop!” She hugged herself, trembling. “Just because you’re the sheriff doesn’t give you the right to demand answers. I don’t owe you my life story.”

The scent of her fear hit him like a punch to the gut. He’d pushed too hard, let his worry override his judgment.

“Robin—”

“Leave me alone.” She ducked past him and headed for the door.

His wolf clawed at his chest, desperate to stop her, and the words tumbled out before he could stop them.

“Be my mate.”

She froze mid-step, her hand on the doorframe. “What?”

“Not for real,” he said quickly. “A pretend relationship. It would help both of us. The Pack’s been pushing me to choose someone, and I have a feeling you need the protection.”

She turned back to him, her face so pale that he could count every freckle.

“I don’t need?—”

“That man at the diner? He’s not leaving town. But if you’re with me, he can’t touch you.”

“Why would you do that?” she whispered.

“My mother keeps parading eligible wolves in front of me. A human mate would get both her and the Pack off my back.” He kept his voice steady, matter-of-fact. “It’s practical. For both of us.”

“And what happens when people realize it’s fake?”

“How would they know? I don’t live on Pack territory so we don’t need to spend much time with them.” He took a careful step toward her. “Just think about it. No pressure, no strings. But if you’re in trouble—real trouble—this could help.”

She wrapped her arms around herself, studying the floor. The silence stretched between them.

“I’ll let you consider it.” He forced himself to move past her towards the door, catching a hint of something beyond fear in her scent. Hope, maybe. “You know where to find me when you decide.”

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