Chapter 15: Sutton

My fingers brushed over the spot that was still tingling from Alpha Lucas’ kiss. My mind reeling over why he would do such a thing. I had already been up half the night wondering why him telling me about the mate bond made me feel so good. Made me want it. Because he could say how wonderful it was all he wanted, but I had actually experienced the mate bond and it wasn’t that.

Unless… had he… DID he have a mate? Is that why he could make it sound so wonderful? Because that’s what he had experienced? The thought made me feel sick. If he had a mate, then why would he kiss me? Where was she?

A squeal pulled me from my spiral. I spun around to see a beautiful young woman with short black hair and flawless sepia skin rushing into the kitchen. Her deep brown eyes shining with excitement.

“You have to be Sutton,” she said excitedly. She came straight over and threw her arms around my shoulders. “I’m so excited to meet you.” Releasing me, her expression sobered. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I hope I didn’t hurt you.”

“Um, no, not at all,” I replied awkwardly.

“Tarrah, give the girl some space,” Dr. Callahan said as she entered the room. “Good morning, Sutton. You look better today.”

“I feel better today. Thank you,” I told her.

“That’s good because I have a lot planned for the day,” the other woman stated. “But don’t worry. I’ll make sure you can keep up.”

“Tarrah…” Alpha Lucas said sternly, communicating something to the woman I didn’t understand before turning back to me. “Sutton, you can go back to the room so Dr. Callahan can complete her examination.”

I nodded, doing as I was told.

That was his mate. That Tarrah woman. It had to be. She was gorgeous and bubbly and energetic. My stomach twisted in knots. I felt tears start to form but I forced them back down. Whatever Alpha Lucas had planned for me wouldn’t happen. I wouldn’t let it. I had been confused about his behavior toward me — the attraction he seemed to show. I didn’t believe it at first because it made no sense. But now, I knew it was real. And completely inappropriate for someone with a mate. I wouldn’t be a part of whatever fantasy he wanted to play out. I wasn’t helpless anymore.

“Those stitches can come out,” Dr. Callahan said back in the room, indicating my brow. “If we’re lucky, all the others can too.”

I wrinkled my brow. “But it’s only been three days,” I pointed out. “They can’t be healed enough already.”

“Well, they have,” Dr. Callahan replied. “All of your wounds have been healing quite nicely. I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re up without restrictions by the end of the week.”

“But… but I’ve never healed this fast,” I said quietly, more to myself than to the doctor.

“I’d like to take the credit for that, but perhaps it’s more the environment,” Dr. Callahan told me. “I’m sure your current surroundings are much more conducive to healing than the last you were in.”

I didn’t really know how to respond. It’s true that Mason didn’t exactly provide a healthy environment. But humans didn’t work that way. Did they…? Maybe living among lycans for so long had affected me somehow. It was lycan medicine that saved my sister. Whatever the reason, I was glad. The sooner I was back on my feet, the sooner I could leave.

The doctor continued her examination. She was, indeed, able to remove most of the other stitches. She covered the last few with a special bandage and provided me with a cover for the cast that would allow me to shower. Something that had my mood greatly improved.

There was a knock on the door as the doctor finished her work. Alpha Lucas entered a moment later. He set a bag on the foot of the bed as Dr. Callahan excused herself.

“The doctor tells me you’re making good progress,” he said. “Tarrah brought some clothes for you. If you need any help showering, I’m sure she’d be happy to help…”

“I can manage,” I stated flatly.

He nodded. “I have an errand I need to run,” he told me. “Tarrah is downstairs whenever you’re dressed. If you need anything just let her know.”

The knots in my gut twisted harder. The urge to demand him to tell me if she was his mate bubbled up inside me but I pushed it aside. I didn’t have the right to demand anything from him. It wasn’t my business if she was. It didn’t matter anyway. I just had to keep him away from me for a few more days, then I would be gone.

My chest started to burn. That wonderful smell of his was becoming overwhelming. I didn’t like how it was making me feel. I stood up and only getting close enough to him to grab the bag, I went to escape to the bathroom.

“Sutton…” Before I made it to safety, his hand grabbed my wrist, spinning me around. “Is something wrong?”

I pulled my arm from his grip, taking a step back. I couldn’t handle him touching me. Not when it felt so nice when it absolutely shouldn’t.

“Everything is fine,” I replied stiffly.

He took another step toward me but I moved back again and he froze. A look of confusion flashed across his face briefly.

“Tarrah can be a bit energetic,” he said. “But she’ll be kind to you. If you need a break to rest, just let her know. She will understand. But if you’re not comfortable… If you need me to stay…”

“No,” I insisted, probably more aggressively than was necessary. I cleared my throat, taking another step away from him. “No, I will be fine. I don’t need anything else from you.”

This time, his emotions flash quickly across his face. Instead, his eyes blazed with a mix of hurt and anger and… something else. Something less menacing but infinitely more impactful. Heat bloomed in my core and my pulse quickened. Not wanting to find out what it meant, I rushed to the bathroom, shutting the door securely behind me.