Bo froze.
“Did you?—”
“Shh.” His hand was on my mouth in the blink of an eye. It smelled like me.
The blood drained from his face as he listened for something.
The video game’s music was so loud, I couldn’t hear anything over it.
Another knock sounded.
“Bo!” My dad’s voice called out. Though it was muffled by the door, it was unmistakable.
The panic that crashed into me was so intense, I couldn’t move.
Bo’s eyes met mine over his hand. “I can’t clear a path faster than they can run.”
And they probably had winter fur.
I didn’t.
“I can try to fight, but you were right. There are a lot of them.” His voice was barely above a whisper.
“It’ll be safer for both of us if I go willingly,” I said.
Bo’s eyes closed.
His jaw clenched, and he dipped his head. “I’m better at lying than you are. Just stay quiet and play along.”
I nodded.
His forehead met mine for one brief moment, and he took in a deep breath. Like he needed to fill his lungs with my scent.
My dad knocked again. Harder and louder. He would absolutely break in if he had to, and very soon. If I didn’t go through with the wedding, he wasn’t getting any money.
He yelled, “We can smell Madison from out here! Just?—”
Dad cut himself off when Bo opened the door.
“What do you want?” Ambrose sounded bored. And annoyed.
My dad’s inhale was so loud, I could hear it. “You’ve been fucking her?”
“Sure. The alpha wants an experienced mate, doesn’t he?” Bo drawled.
My throat swelled.
I adjusted my hair, hoping like hell that it would cover the bite mark on my neck.
“She was supposed to mate with him a week ago,” my dad finally said, seeming to buy what Bo was selling. “She didn’t tell you that?”
I hoped his attitude was just for show, or I was going to be furious with myself for screwing him.
“No. We didn’t talk.”
“Well, the alpha is waiting in the truck. We’re here to collect her.”
I watched from the couch as Bo stepped to the side.
