“Yeah,” I said, a little uncomfortable with the whole idea.
She tapped my knuckles sharply. “That’s a good thing. You’re growing closer which means the bond is getting stronger.”
“I didn’t think it could get any stronger,” I admitted as she released my hand and Anna chuckled.
“I’ve never experienced it, but I’ve seen my parents together. You and Dom haven’t even scratched the surface. Give it a few years.”
I groaned. “That’s what I’m worried about.” My head dropped to my knees and I peeked up through the hair that had fallen in my face. “He’s been staying here.”
Anna’s nose wrinkled, “Here?” She pointed in the direction of the motel and I shook my head. Her eyebrows lifted almost to her hairline and she pointed down, indicating the apartment. “Here?” She mouthed, not saying it aloud as she glanced around warily.
“No one’s in here,” I told her and she rolled her eyes. “But yes, here.” I emphasized here as my gaze darted in the direction of my room. “He sneaks in at night and sleeps next to me.” Anna’s eyes resembled saucers and I hurriedly added, “As a wolf!”
“So you two haven’t….” Anna wiggled her fingers, “Tangoed?”
I blinked at her for a second and then shook my head. “No. In fact, make that a hell, no.” Her mouth dropped open at my response and I lifted my shoulders. “I’m not having sex for the first time with my Dad across the apartment.” I thought for a second. “Or my brother. Eww.”
“Okay, fair enough,” Anna agreed. “That would be weird, but seriously, I’m impressed at how long you’ve held out.” She must have interpreted my expression correctly because she said, “No, I’m serious. You two are the strongest mating pair I’ve ever seen. The call to complete the bond is intense. Your self-control is impressive.”
“I’m not sure it’s my self-control that’s all that impressive,” I confessed slowly. “Dom has been keeping his promise to wait until I’m ready.” My mouth curled up ruefully. “I think I’ve tested his control to the max.”
“What’s stopping you?” Anna cut straight to the heart of it and I laid my head back down, allowing my hair to hide me from her piercing stare.
“I’m not sure,” I admitted. “I know he’s the one, but I’ve only known him a few months. My mind keeps getting hung up on that even as part of me keeps screaming, ‘If you do this, it’s forever,’ and forever is a really long time.”
“Can you imagine yourself with anyone else?” Anna asked, her fingers twisting together. “Like Trent, maybe?”
I choked, shaking my head so rapidly my hair flew around me. “No, I….no.” Relief flooded Anna’s face and my mouth dropped open. “You weren’t….you didn’t actually think?” I couldn’t force myself to finish the thought, much less say the words.
“Some share,” she said defensively, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Share what?” I said stupidly and she widened her eyes as she tilted her head pointedly.
“You know,” she murmured, making me feel even dumber.
“No, I really don’t,” I finally said and she huffed out a sigh.
“Women. They share women,” she declared and my mouth dropped open.
“You thought….that I would…” my lips compressed as I sealed my mouth, shaking my head again. “Dom would never,” I burst out finally, not knowing what else to say.
“That’s true,” Anna agreed, tapping her chin. “But it’s not as unheard of as you think. The Hanleys did it. Especially with so few women who could bear a shifter child. The men all want their glory or whatever.”
“And you thought, I’d just be like let me have two?” I asked incredulously. “Maybe I’ll have Caleb while I’m at it!”
Anna flinched and I felt bad. She didn’t know and I clearly didn’t understand every nuance of Pack life. “Trust me, Anna. Dom is enough for any woman.” I shuddered. “I can’t imagine dealing with more than one Alpha at a time,” I declared and when she gave me a curious look, I realized what I’d said. “An Alpha male,” I hastily corrected and her face smoothed. I forced myself not to exhale in sudden relief. There was zero chance Anna would be able to keep the knowledge of Dom’s dual status a secret. She was too tightly ingrained into the Pack and loyal to Caleb. A loyalty I admired but which was proving inconvenient at the moment. I knew I needed to distract her and had the perfect thing to do just that. “I think its interesting it was Trent you mentioned,” I said knowingly and she immediately flushed.
“It was just you seem to spend a lot of time with him,” she defended quickly. “And I know you rejected Caleb already.” My mouth twisted at the reminder of Caleb’s fumbling attempt to convince me I would be better off with him instead of Dom. The only reason I hadn’t let Dom rip him to pieces for it was because Caleb was struggling. Really struggling. With the death of his father and his sudden position as Alpha of the Navarre Pack, a position more than a few of the Pack didn’t think he deserved, it had been a difficult few weeks for him. I knew he needed our support now more than ever, even if he was being an ass on occasion, and if he found out about Dom being an Alpha it would be seen as a betrayal – one their friendship may never recover from. “Trent’s a mutt without a pack. You would be a chance for him to have a pack of his own.” I barely suppressed a snort at the idea. Trent had a Pack, he had Dom and now Liam. Besides, he’d been head over heels the minute he’d met Anna.