Darius intervened and turned to her father. “You know as well as anyone, once an alpha makes the claim, he or she can’t reverse the bond.”
“Rachel is human, she need not accept. Not when her physiology is compromised.”
“Wait, I have a say in this.” She frowned.
Darius pulled up a chair next to her. “I know you are fond of Lev. He saved your life. However, you need to understand, his mutated DNA is different from other lycans. Even his scent is different. Despite his high alpha rank and desirable looks, our females only see him as a date never mate material.”
Poor Lev. “Who says I want children or pups anyway?”
“Rachel, if we hadn’t treated you with a cocktail of drugs, whatever mutated in your body would have killed you,” said Howard.
“Okay, so biting is out.”
Howard paced. “I am still studying Lev’s physiology. Who knows what other body fluids have mutagenic factors.”
“Let’s not go there.”
“What your father is trying to say is you can never be around Lev again.”
“What?” She yanked out the IV tubes. “Are you saying we should break up, because we haven’t even gone out for pizza yet?” Not to mention all the first dates couples went on before calling it quits.
“You need to rest, Rachel,” said Howard.
“I feel fine.”
Darius nodded. “Your most recent tests are good, but just to make sure you don’t have a setback, stay until the morning.”
“Has Lev come by to check on me?” He had been on his way to meet with Rylee. She couldn’t imagine how worried he must have been that she nearly died. And because of his bite.
Howard straightened and his tone turned sad. “I told Lev he nearly killed you. I insisted as your father, he stay away.”
“You can’t say goodbye to Lev for me. That’s my—our decision.”
“Rylee agreed and offered him an assignment in Eastern Europe.”
“What if he says no?”
“Lev agreed. After he hunts down the rogue werewolves who tried to kidnap you, he’ll quit Team Greywolf.”
Her eyes moistened. “No.”
“Rachel, you will always be his mate, but knowing he nearly killed you is enough to make him leave you forever.”
“Where is he? I want to at least say goodbye.”
“He and Rylee flew to the king’s castle for a meeting,” said Darius.
Rachel stood. “I’m going back to my den.”
Darius sniffed her. “I don’t think that’s a problem. Come by tomorrow afternoon for a check-up.”
Howard checked her vitals and sighed. “Your body appears to be back to normal. I’ll tell Cricket to come get you.”
“She must be chilling with her prince. I can find my way back.”
Too late, Howard had reached her on the phone. “Rachel wants to go back to her den. Meet us here in twenty minutes.” He nodded. “Yes, a close call, but she’s in good health.”
Better if my mitochondria and red blood cell count is up. Or at least, heading back to normal.