Her Mates

31

The moment we stepped away from Lena, I felt the tension in my body start to ease. Hunter walked beside me, his presence steady, grounding. But beneath the surface, my emotions churned.

Lena's words had been meant to cut deep, and for a moment, they had.

That you care.

Like it was all just an act.

I glanced up at Hunter. His jaw was tight, his expression unreadable.

"You okay?" I asked quietly.

His lips curved slightly at the question, but it wasn't his usual smirk—it was softer, more thoughtful. "I should be asking you that."

I sighed. "I don't know. I just—" I ran a hand through my hair. "I hate that she got in my head, even for a second."

Hunters's steps slowed, and before I could react, he reached for my wrist, pulling me gently into an empty classroom.

The door shut behind us, muffling the noise of the hallway.

Then he turned to me, his eyes dark and searching.

"Lena is a parasite, Maeve. She feeds on insecurity, on fear. That's the only way she feels powerful." He lifted a hand, tracing his fingers along my jaw with aching softness. "You don't owe her a second of doubt."

I swallowed hard, caught in the intensity of his gaze. "It's not just her words, Hunter. It's the things I don't know yet. The gaps."

His hand stilled. "Then ask me."

The words hung in the air between us, heavy with unspoken truths.

I searched his face, trying to find something in his expression that would tell me where the line was—how much he was willing to give me.

"Why didn't you tell me about her before?" I asked.

Hunter's jaw tensed. "Because I didn't want her to matter. Because she doesn't matter."

"But she still knew enough to use it against me," I pressed.

He exhaled sharply. "Lena and I—what happened between us—was a mistake. One I made before I ever met you. She was never a choice, Maeve. You are."

Something in my chest tightened at his words.

I believed him.

But that didn't mean the doubt disappeared instantly.

"I just... I need time," I admitted.

Hunter nodded, brushing his fingers against my chin before stepping back slightly. "Take all the time you need. Just don't forget that you're not alone in this."

I let out a slow breath. "I won't."

His smirk returned, just a hint of it. "Good girl."

Heat curled in my stomach, but before I could respond, the bell rang—loud and jarring.

He sighed. "Come on, little one. Let's get through the rest of this miserable school day."

Dinner had been... tense.

I wasn't the only one thinking about Lena's little stunt at school. The others felt it too, the silent ripple of conflict that hadn't quite settled yet.

But I wasn't ready to dwell on it anymore tonight.

I just wanted to breathe.

After the dishes were cleared, I slipped outside onto the back porch, inhaling the crisp night air. The cool breeze helped clear my mind, but it wasn't long before I felt someone behind me.