I sit stunned, my thoughts scrambled, as the reality of what just happened settles in. My mate has killed a man who dared harm me. The weight of his intense gaze meets mine as he growls, "You should have told me. I can’t protect you if you keep me in the dark."

"Told you what?" I snap back, confused. "That you’d have to crawl to avoid getting sick? I didn’t want you following me!"

His head tilts slightly, his expression unreadable, as though he's piecing ...