Chapter 16

NICCO

I looked at Hope quietly. She was looking back at me with her big, blue eyes. I wanted to stay. I wanted to stay so badly, and my wolf wanted me to stay. But I walked to the head of the bed, leaned over and kissed her on the head.

“Not tonight, sweet Hope,” I murmured. “Get some rest.”

She looked at me, hurt, but I turned to leave, closing the door behind me. I was worried my resolve would break. It would have just taken one more word, one more look, and I would have abandoned my morals and ravaged her body tonight, marking her and making her my Luna.

I looked up to see Vinnie staring at me. “She’s your mate,” he said, mildly. “If you mark her, she will heal faster.”

I shook my head. “You know I can’t do that.”

“Why not?” he asked. He acted like it was an easy decision.

“You know why. She’s human.” I said this like it was excuse enough, but Vinnie was on Lupo’s side.

“So what?” he said. “So, she’s human. She’s a good girl, smart and would be an excellent