Page 7 of Deception

“Then let me go with her. Let me protect her.”

Soren shook his head immediately. “No way. They’d see through that in a minute.”

“See through what?”

Soren scoffed. “It’s obvious, man.”

“What’s obvious?”

“I see the way you look at her. She’s your destined mate. You’re crazy for her.”

Drew pulled back, gaping. It was one thing to consider if Summer could be The One in private. But to have his cousin say it…

Still, he tried dismissing the idea. “I just met her.”

Soren rolled his eyes. “With your destined mate, you just know. Your bear knows.”

Told you so,the beast rumbled from inside.

Dang. Could she really be his mate?

Soren leaned closer. “No way can you go up there with her. They’d see through you in a second. She’s better off without you. Trust me.”

Better off without me?his bear bellowed, raging inside.

But shit, Soren had a point. The Blue Bloods were passionately against wolves mixing with other species. And he was a bear. If Soren had figured out how much he cared about Summer, the rogues might, too, and the whole plan would be blown.

“I’m sorry, man,” Soren said. “You can’t go. No way.”

The words were meant to comfort him, but they were an order, too. Soren reinforced the message with a stern look before he turned and left the room.

And Drew? He stood there, shaking inside, wondering what the hell he could do.

A truck roared to life in the back lot, and someone shouted, “Summer, you ready to go?”

Drew hurried outside and gaped at Luke. “You’re going already?”

“No time to waste, man. Those rogues could be plotting their next attack right now.”

Jesus. He’d woken up that morning dreaming about Summer, thinking it would be a great day because he’d get to see her in and around the café. But the day was turning into a nightmare.

“But she’s not ready,” he protested.

I’m not ready. Not ready to let her go.He caught the thought before it slipped out. Shit. He’d never be ready to let her go.

“It’s a six-hour drive, at least,” Luke said. “She’ll have time to get ready on the way.”

“But…but…”

“Look, man. I know this is hard for you,” Luke said, keeping his voice low.

Shit. Luke knew Summer was his mate, too? Did everyone know?

Then a thought struck him. Did Summer know?

If she did, she’d hidden it well. Of course, he’d seen her eyes sparkle for him. But she’d never sought him out alone or spoken to him one-on-one. What if she didn’t feel the same way? Or worse, what if she’d internalized some of the nonsense the Blue Bloods had preached? He was a bear, and she was a wolf. He didn’t have a problem with that, but maybe she did.

His bear chuffed, refusing to accept the idea.

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