Page 24 of My Shifty Bodyguard

I answer with a growl.

She lets out a sigh of exasperation. "Mating is not complicated. I selected your father from four candidates based on territory, political advantage, temperament, and dental records. We have raised three sons and never once raised our voices to each other.”

So very not helpful. “What did my father say to woo you?”

“There was no wooing. Why would there be wooing? He did tell me I had mostly symmetrical features and our offspring would be genetically acceptable.”

If I told Violet that, she would shove an entire ice cream sundae up my ass. And I’d deserve it.

“You will inform your mate that she needs to accompany you wherever you need to go. Those are facts. Facts can not be argued with. I need to go,” my mother says. “Your protectee is Violet Carmichael, correct? I need to research their pack in terms of suitability for-”

I hang up.

I stand there a moment. In matters of romance, I should have known better than to consult my mother. However, she has accidentally handed me the solution.

State the facts.

I walk back into the diner.

Ethel folds her arms the second the bell chimes. Violet lifts her chin and tries, again, to scowl at me. It is the worst scowl I have ever witnessed. Her eyebrows aren't even committed.

"You're right," I say.

That stops her. The fake scowl falls off her face. "I'm what?"

"You're right. Someone is trying to kill you."

Ethel sets down the coffee pot.

I tell her. The silver in the oatmeal that was never an accident. The arrow that missed her stepmother by inches and buried itself in a tree. The silver mixed into her perfume. Her father sent her here so that we could keep her breathing, and my Alpha ordered me not to tell her, and I followed that order, but that was before our fated mate bond deepened to the point where lying to my mate became unthinkable.

"I lied to you," I say. "I won't do it again. That's a fact."

Violet looks at me for a long moment. Whatever she finds in my face, she seems to decide it's the truth.

"Just for the record, I am still angry at you. I am miffed. Ticked off. Deeply disgruntled.” She slides off the stool. She turns to Ethel and manages a wry smile. "Thank you for the pie. And the company.”

Then she pauses. “Oh, wait. I can’t leave with you,” she says to me. “I left my wallet back at pack headquarters and now I can’t pay for my pie. I’m pretty sure I’m headed for the hoosegaw. Is that how they say it? I hope they have goats there.”

Ethel gives her a puzzled look. Violet’s mind is unusual and so are the things that she says. That is one of the many things I love about her. Life with her will never be boring or predictable.

“I am your mate. I will pay, of course.” I pull out my wallet and toss a twenty on the counter.

Ethel narrows her eyes at me. “She’s a sweet girl. Telling lies? I expected better from someone from the Moonstone pack. I’ve got my eye on you.”

If Violet weren’t here, I would growl at Ethel. Then again, Ethel is one of the few shifters I know who’d growl back at me.

I keep my tone civil, for my mate’s sake. “I can not discuss pack matters with you. However, I assure you, my only concern is her safety and happiness.”

Violet makes a huffing noise of disbelief and I follow her out of the diner.

“Would you like to go pet a goat? Or an Alpaca?” I ask.

Violet frowns at me. “Normally, yes. Right now, I am going to sulk.”

“That is acceptable. As long as you sulk by my side.” I open her car door for her and she climbs in. She seems a little less furious now.

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