Page 23 of Cowboy Bull's Promise

But promises were sneaky little bastards.

They could be broken far too easily.

And deep down, I’ve been wishing for more.

A mate.

Someone who could tether me.

Save me from myself.

But now that I’ve met her?

Now that Arliss is a real, living heartbeat in my life and not just some daydream, well, I’m terrified.

Because I can’t risk her.

I don’t even know what the fuck would happen if I claimed her and the Rut decided to take over anyway.

Would I hurt her?

Would I break her?

The idea guts me.

I already know I couldn’t live with myself if I let that happen.

She’s too bright.

Too soft.

Too goddamn good for the darkness I carry around like a second skin.

And the worst part?

I don’t have a single fucking answer.

No elders to ask. No books to study. No brotherhood to lean on.

It’s just me.

Me and this monster in my blood.

And the woman I can’t have but would die to protect.

“Yo, Kian! Come over here a second,” Dante calls out from the south pasture, his deep voice carrying easily across the open field.

I jog over, boots kicking up dust. I’m not really in the mood but I’m moving, anyway.

Usually, I love nothing more than riling up the big Grizzly, poking at his soft spots until he growls and mutters and pretends not to like me.

But today? Today I’m too lost in my own goddamn head.

So when he asks for help, I just do it.

No sass.

No commentary.

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