Mated in Mist (Talon Pack #3)(23)

“You aren’t a prisoner. You were always able to leave when you wanted. However, you stayed. You stayed to grieve and to find your next step. Then, two days ago, you told us you would fight alongside us. Or at least stay by our sides as we protect our people. You might not have the bonds to become Pack, but that doesn’t mean you’re an outsider.”

She sighed. “There’s a reason I don’t have the bonds.” She hadn’t meant to say that.

He closed his eyes and his nostrils flared. “Leah.”

She held up her hands. “I didn’t mean that. Charlotte’s right. I need some air to clear my head. Go back to your conversation. You say I’m not a prisoner, so prove it.”

His jaw clenched. “I don’t want you hurt.” The words were ripped from him.

“Who would hurt me? I’m going to be in the middle of the den with your people. Are you saying your people don’t want me here?” She didn’t know why that hurt to think about. It wasn’t as if anyone had ever wanted her to be with them. She’d only had her mother and twin for so long, she should have been used to the rejections.

He stayed silent for so long, Leah was afraid she’d overstepped her bounds. But since she didn’t know her bounds to begin with, she wasn’t sure what to think.

“Just be careful.”

With that, he walked away, leaving Leah as confused as ever. Charlotte rolled her shoulders and took her hand, practically dragging her to the front door. When the door closed behind them, Charlotte let out a breath.

“I do not understand males.”

Leah snorted at that. “I never could in the past, and now that everything seems to have gone haywire, I definitely don’t now.”

Charlotte kept her hand in Leah’s and started walking down the path toward the center of the den. “I’m going to ask you something and I’m going to be blunt about it.”

Leah let out a breath. “How blunt?”

“Is Ryder your mate?”

Leah stopped moving, forcing Charlotte to do the same. They were still pretty secluded thanks to the trees along the path, so no other Pack members were around to hear, but they could walk up on them at any moment. But for some reason, she found herself wanting to tell Charlotte everything.

“I’m a witch. We don’t mate the way wolves do.”

Charlotte shook her head. “That’s a copout.”

“Is Bram your mate?” Leah snapped.

Charlotte’s chin rose, her eyes going blank. “You’re right. That was too personal. Let’s continue to walk.”

Leah cursed herself. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what the hell is going on. Ryder says I could be his mate. A potential, he called it. Yet he says he won’t mate me with. Or rather, I think he said he couldn’t. I don’t know what that means. He pushed me away, but then he kissed me. He kissed me, Charlotte, but he doesn’t want to mate with me. And why should I care? I’m a witch. I might be able to form a mating bond thanks to his wolf, but it’s not like I’ll pine for him. Right? I don’t have a wolf that will break without that bond. But why do I want him like I do? Why am I breaking because he says he doesn’t want me, even if his wolf does? And why should I care, when the world is going to shit? Roland died, and I’m worried about a man wanting me as his mate. What is wrong with me?”

Tears slid down her cheeks, and she angrily wiped them away. She hated crying, yet it seemed it was all she could do.

Charlotte pressed her lips together then sighed.

“I want to rip that wolf’s face off for you.”

Leah’s eyes widened at the words. She tended to forget that the people around here shared their beings with the souls of wolves and could shift in an instant. Of course, most forgot she held magic within her veins and could control water.

“I don’t know why he said the things he said, but…well…I know that mating isn’t easy. It’s not just a true declaration and happy thoughts. At least not for anyone I’ve known. It takes work…and a leap of faith that doesn’t come easily to most.”

Leah didn’t say anything. She wasn’t sure what else there was to say.

Charlotte winced. “That came out wrong. Damn it. No wonder you’re freaking out. Nothing is coming out the way it should. All I’m saying is if he’s doing one thing, and saying another, then you need to talk to him. Mating is hard. It’s not always perfect right away. Sometimes things change—people change. If Ryder has a reason for not wanting to mate, find out what it is. If you don’t want to mate with him at all, then make sure he knows that. I think you two just need to talk.” She sighed. “And nothing I just said helped. I mean, hell, you’ve been through so much and yet it’s not over.”

Charlotte looked so stressed; Leah could only do one thing. She wrapped her arms around the other woman and hugged her tightly. Charlotte’s arms came around her, and Leah could have sworn she could feel the pain of the woman’s wolf. Leah wasn’t a wolf, so why could she feel that? This wasn’t the first time, and it made her wonder. But she didn’t want to think too hard as her brain already hurt enough as it was.

“I don’t know what I’m doing,” Leah said finally.

“I don’t think any of us do.” Charlotte pulled back. “Let’s walk some more, then head back. I’m pretty sure the guys are talking about Pack dynamics, not the Coven, so we can go back and listen.”