Derrek’s pov:

Heavens have mercy, I was doomed. I almost slipped. I was so ready to tell her that I would hate to have a manipulative mate… I could have ruined everything. This could have been the beginning of something I wasn’t ready for — something I might never be ready for.

As it was, I still stood a chance to put distance between us. I could still start dating and have her forget about me.

“And hurt our mate?” Ash, my wolf, growled. “Not a chance!”

“It’s for the ...