Sadness

I tried and failed to recall any warning signals while we were eating. Other than the prospect of me eating chili, there was nothing significant.

“So let me get this straight.” Dante’s frustration was rising and I gave him a look that said, “Cool it.” “You were going to ignore your council’s ruling or whatever it’s called and remain here. But as soon as Alpha says you have to become part of the den, you decide to adhere to the rule.”

My Beta mate was standing again, hands on hips, and I got in between him and Clarissa. Was this our first fight? If so, I hoped it would be the first of many.

Clarissa twirled a bunch of hair around his fingers. “Because there are so few snow leopard shifters, the council understands it’s almost impossible to mate with one of our kind. They expect us to live with our mates while staying under their rule. They implore us to keep our identity and ensure any future cubs will as well.”

That was why he couldn’t officially become a Bruin Ridge Den member but he