Page 72 of Healer’s Betrayal

“Oh,” I breathe out.

Chapter 30

Kayla

“So, you and Ransom lived by yourselves?”

“It was just the two of us at first. Not long ater, Lucien joined us.”

“Lucien?” I question.

“He came from our old pack. You’ll meet him at some point. He’s here.”

“Like in this hotel? Here?” He confirms with a nod. “So, it’s the three of you then.”

“Not exactly. After that, a few more members from our old pack and then a few other wolves found us and decided to join us. Then, we gained some more after the vampire compound.”

I blink. “What?” His face is closed off now, and he stays quiet. I figure that’s all I’m going to get from him. “That’s okay. You don’t have to tell me; I get it. Sometimes, our stories need to stay private; we need to be able to have secrets.”

His eyes meet mine, and I don’t look away. “I don’t have secrets from you. You’re my mate. I’ll tell you anything you want to know; it’s just a lot to take in all at once.”

“You know, put a pin in that mate thing. I want to come back to that.” A massive yawn comes out of nowhere and nearly swallows me whole.

Jackson stands up. “Sleep. We can talk more tomorrow.”

“Will you, though?”

“Will I what?” he asks.

“Actually talk again tomorrow. So far, you’ve been very much in the not-talking camp.”

“I’ll tell you anything you want to know, like I said. I’m just trying to not overwhelm you.”

“Too late,” I say with a laugh right before another yawn takes over.

I stand up and look at the bed and then back at him, trying not to show my panic. “You know what? I think I’ll sleep with Noah. There’s plenty of room. I’m just going to grab a pillow from this bed because there are so many. You won’t even miss it. And I’ll just share a blanket with Noah.” I take a step towards the sofa bed, but Jackson steps in front of me.

“Kayla.” I manage to look up as far as his shoulder; I can’t make myself look the rest of the way up. “You can have the bed; I’m not sleeping on it.”

“You’re not?” This time, I lift my eyes to his. “Are you sleeping in another room?”

“No. I'm sleeping in here, just not in the bed. You can have it to yourself.”

“Are you sure?” I try to sound nonchalant, but I know I fail miserably.

“Yeah.” His voice is more gentle now. I eye the door and then him. “If it makes you feel better, I can stay in the hallway,” he offers.

“Oh, no. No, it’s fine.” I take a breath. “I’m sorry; I know I’m making this awkward. I’ve just never—” I shake my head and start unbuttoning Jackson’s shirt. I’m suddenly really hot. “I don’t know how you wear these shirts even in the middle of summer. I would die.”

“I only wear them around town.”

“Why do you wear them at all?” I question.

“To cover my alpha marks.”

That catches my attention. “Alpha marks?”

“Alpha’s have alpha marks on their bodies. The stronger or more dominant the alpha, the more marks they have.”