I’m trying to be neutral. I just want to walk away from this whole matter. I want Nathan’s words to stop ringing in my ears.

“We don’t feel that way about you,” the last of the bunch says, his voice grim. “You’ll have to forgive Nathan. He has a one-track mind when it comes to this mission—”

“Don’t defend him!” Jared says, his lips twisting. “He insulted our Alpha’s mate.”

“She’s not his mate!” A flush of anger creeps up Nathan’s face. “She’s not ...