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When we arrived at Jasmine's place, I didn't want to leave her yet. Mostly because of Imani. My wolf wouldn't calm down after what happened earlier when we walked up on Jasmine and her ex, grabbing her the way she did. Imani was trying to go into full kill mode. It took everything in me to control her primal instinct. When you see your mate in danger, you want to protect them, no matter the cost.
Seeing the way she was grabbed brought back memories of the times I heard Mama and Pops talk about domestic violence cases within the pack. I remembered the countless times I saw women—and even men—battered and bruised by their husbands or wives just because the dinner wasn't hot enough, or the pups cried too loudly. There were times my mama had to step in numerous times to pull mates off their subs or omegas.
Physically harming your mate should tear you apart from the inside out. No matter how upset or stressed you are, no one should ever harm their mate. As the next Alpha of the pack, I would do what my mama used to do as an Alpha: handle cases like these. It wasn't a once-in-a-while thing. It was an everyday thing. And I wasn't ready for it.
"Are you sure you're okay?" I asked.
"Yeah, I am," she said.
"She's not gonna come to your place, right?" I had to be sure she wouldn't. But Imani had to be sure too—she was pacing in my mind, teeth bared.
I don't feel safe leaving her alone, Imani said.
I know, but we can't stay with her. We'll come back later tonight.
Even if her ex showed up and there was an altercation, I would react without thinking. How would I explain to Jasmine why I was hanging around her place without seeming like a stalker?
"No," Jasmine said, playing with the seatbelt strap.
"If she does, you can always call me."
I could at least use that as an excuse.
"You're like a knight in shining armor, huh?" Jasmine laughed.
"I'm whatever you want me to be." I teased. She reached across the console and playfully punched my arm. It felt like a marshmallow hitting me.
"So, um," Jasmine said, "I have this spring exhibit coming up, and I was wondering if you'd like to come?"
"Sure," I said. Of course, I wanted to be a supportive mate. And for some reason, this warm feeling bloomed in my chest. It didn't come from my wolf—it came from me.
"Alright, I'll let you know the time and date." Jasmine opened the car door and got out.
I wanted to reach across the console and stop her. I wanted to ask her to stay longer and talk with me. I didn't care what we talked about—it could be why her favorite color was her favorite color. As long as I was still with her, that's all I cared about.
