Page 7 of Mine to Claim

“So?”

“That means I’m kind of like a princess.”

“Kind of?”

“Okay, in human terms, yes, I’m a princess. In shifter terms? I’m the alpha’s bloodline. It’s more about power and instinct than any princess gig.” I was still waiting for her to say this was all a joke, but the more we talked, the less likely that seemed.

Dani didn’t seem fazed by my shock and just kept talking. “Oh, that feels so much better. I hate keeping secrets from you, but we’re not supposed to expose ourselves to humans.” She let out a sigh of relief and then suddenly squealed and I grabbed onto whatever I could to brace myself if she ran us off the freaking highway.

“What is it?!” I yelled.

“I can talk to you about knots now! Fuck yes. I wouldn’t say it’s a secret, but I definitely couldn’t talk to you about that.”

“What’s a knot?” I asked, bewildered. My best friend has either cracked, or she’s really not human.I knew what a shifter was. I’ve read a few werewolf shifter romances, but have never come across knots.

“Giiirrlll. I’m about to rock your world. So you know how I’ve been saying that Elijah is missing something?” Her sudden burst of energy was overwhelming.

“Yes,” I answered hesitantly.

“Well, shifter men are built different. And Elijah? He’s human. So picture the male anatomy, with an added velvety smooth bulge at the base. But wait! There’s more. When they’re getting close to, well you know, the bulge expands.”

“Expands? What the fuck for?” I asked, flabbergasted and intrigued.

“To lock you in. To breed you,” she giggled.

My jaw was on the floor and the shitty evening I’d had was long forgotten for the moment. Because, yes, I was imagining it.

“Does it… hurt?” I whispered.

“Yes, but in a good way.”

“I don’t even know what to say to that.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve made it my mission to find you a real man who can lay pipe. I know more than a few guys who would consider themselves lucky to have you.”

“I cannot. Please stop. I am not sleeping with a stranger,” I laughed.

“You will.”

“I won’t. Parker cheated on me because I wouldn’t put out after a year. You think I would sleep with some rando? Nope. Not happening.”

“If you’re going to waste your break thinking about Parker, then we need to get you under a man. Give them what he couldn’t have. I’m so petty. If I were you, I’d sleep with all of his friends just to spite him,” she bit out. And I knew she meant it.

“I think we both know I’m not doing that.”

“Don’t you dare go back to him, Lils. I swear I won’t talk to you ever again. Promise me. Right now!” She held her hand out to me and I already knew what she wanted. Her pinky was pointed at me like she was daring me not to.

“Okay, okay.” Extending my hand, I curled my pinky around hers.

Thankfully that seemed to signal Dani’s turn to relax. I noticed the way her shoulders slumped as she leaned back.

“I’m honestly excited to explore this ‘pack’ of yours and meet your dad. I feel like I already know him.”

“Right? The situation that came about me bringing you home was shitty, but I’m so happy you know everything now. Sucked having to keep it from you.”

“Fuck. Look at me. I don’t want to make a bad impression on your dad. What if he thinks I’m a bad influence?” I groaned. Dani laughed so hard that the car swerved as I cursed.

“You don’t have to worry about that. My dad is rarely at home. Even when he is, you’ll only see him during the day. If that. Because of the… anyway. He’s got a different woman every time I’m home, but don’t worry about him. He isn’t the judgmental type.”

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