19

"What are you doing with that," I ask slowly as I see my family's picture in my mate's hand.

She jumps like a frightened bunny, and the picture goes flying toward the fire. Thankfully Alessia snags it before it can be lost to the flames.

My mate turns to face me with a horrified expression, and I react before I can stop myself. I grab her arms and lift her to her feet. Fully intending to kiss her full lips, but reality hits me in the face just in time to stop me.

"I will escort you outside. You may go as far as the stream. Any farther isn't safe. Sunset is an hour away, and bloodsuckers are unpredictable when they smell a human. A group of them might be dumb enough to enter my den," I manage to say, and her beautiful blue eyes grow even larger.

She nods after a few moments and tucks her hands into the pockets of her pants.

"I won't go that far. I just need some vitamin D," she says in a voice meant for humor, and confusion riddles my brain.

Her body language is su