You Wouldn't Think

LERRIN

He lay in the bed, mind reeling, the dark for once feeling like cover. As if it saved him from facing what he truly was.

Suhle was warm and soft in his arms. Suhle smelled like mint and lavender.

Suhle was afraid he would die.

She had seen it, he realized. Seen everything he'd been blind to—even before they left the city she had understood what was happening. And she'd come with them to do what she could to bring them to the truth.

She had positioned herself to influence power without asking for power of her own.

His mate. His beautiful, intelligent, magnificent mate had seen through all of it—and not even known he was her mate. She'd come despite her fear, despite the way she'd been betrayed.

Her heart, her courage was what their tribe needed. She was what Lerrin needed.