Page 113 of Healer’s Betrayal

“What? Why not?”

I shrug and try to play it off. “I’m not exactly sure. I mean, don’t get me wrong. These past few weeks have been amazing. We’ve spent so much time together talking and going on walks and just connecting; it’s been so good.”

Raechel arches an eyebrow. “You’ve been in a house with your mate for four weeks and all you’ve done is talk? How have you not stripped each other’s clothes off by now and gone at it like rabbits?”

I shake my head. “I don’t know how to take you sometimes.”

She waves her fork at me. “Most people don’t.” I laugh at that. “Is it that you’re not married yet? Because marriage isn’t really a big thing with wolves. Mating is their form of marriage. They mate once, and it’s for life. If Jackson didn’t grow up around humans, he many not even know that’s an issue. But you could probably ask him about doing a wedding.”

“No, it’s not that. I get it. I actually love the mating thing. It’s so much more permanent than marriage. I mean, he’s so good to us. He bought Noah a bunch of shorts and t-shirts; he bought me a brand-new pair of running shoes. He keeps trying to get me to order clothes online with his money.” I’m quiet a moment. “I don’t know. Maybe he’s just not into me that way.”

Raechel laughs. “Yeah, and wolves are docile, gentle creatures.” She takes another bite of the food and groans again. “Seriously, this is so good. Does Jackson know you’re ready for the next step?”

I roll my eyes. “I’m not a child.”

“Oh, well excuse me,” she snarks back. “Maybe just go the old-fashioned route.”

“What is that?” I ask warily.

“Just strip down naked and lay on the bed. He’ll get clued in super fast that you’re ready.”

“Oh. My. Word.” We both hear the front door open, and I freeze. “Not a word,” I tell her. She looks up and opens her mouth. “Seriously, not a word, or you can’t have any more enchiladas.” I swipe her plate and hold it away from her.

Her mouth drops open. “You would deny a pregnant woman food?”

“I absolutely would; now promise.”

She scowls at me. “Fine.”

Jackson clears his throat and looks between the two of us. “Everything okay?”

I plaster a smile on my face and set her plate back down in front of her. “Yep.” I look at Noah, who’s standing beside Jackson now. “Hey, how were Daniel and Jack?”

He shrugs. “Okay.”

I look at Jackson. “Emma said Jack’s teething,” he explains.

“He just cried the whole time,” Noah says as he comes over to the table. “I’m hungry.”

I can’t help my smile. “Of course you are. I’ve got dinner ready to go.”

“And it’s delicious,” Raechel says. I take in her plate that’s practically licked clean and smirk. “Hey, Noah,” she says as Noah slides into the seat across from her.

“Hey.”

Is there a reason the enforcer’s mate is here? Jackson says as he moves towards me, those gorgeous blues on mine. He stops right in front of me and puts a hand on my lower back. “Hey.”

I can’t help my smile. “Hey.” She just came over to say hi...I think.

He kisses my temple and then moves over to the table. And eat your delicious food apparently.

“I see what you mean,” Raechel says, breaking up the mental conversation Jackson and I are having.

“What?” I ask, trying to tear my attention away from Jackson.

“What was that kiss?” she asks, and I freeze.

She wouldn’t. “Raechel,” I start, a warning in my voice.