"You're fine," Ian promised me. "And she likes you, Lane."
"She likes you more," I grumbled.
Ian just nodded. "That's what we agreed on. Because you can't be around her too much, so I'm going to make this work. I've also been making sure she knows that you're a part of it." He clasped my shoulder again. "Our mate, Lane. She will be the alpha bitch of the pack."
"Yeah," Pax said, drawing out the word. "I kinda hate to bring it up, but…" His eyes jumped to Lane. "Do you think we should start letting people know we're considering mating her?"
"I have been," Ian promised. "I've made it clear that I'm interested to Roman's father and a few others."
"Tell them she's mine," I demanded. "That if any of them touch her, I will - "
"No," Ian said gently. "We do not want them to start challenging her dominance before Elena even knows what's going on. We're doing this slowly, remember? You're being patient. She's not going anywhere, and it's working."
"Actually," Pax said, hovering at the side between Ian and me. "I think you both have a point. Look, we already agree that we want her. Even Seth's on board with the idea. I think we need to make it known that we're going to take an official mate soon. Prepare the pack for the idea."
"And have every bitch out there try to chase Elena off?" Ian asked. "No, that's - "
"Wait," Pax begged. "Ian, Ashley is her best friend. That's what I'm trying to say. Tell Ash what we're doing, and have her run interference. Any woman who thinks about it will change her mind before risking a fight with your sister."
"Huh," Ian said.
But that huff wasn't enough for me. "What does that mean?" I demanded. "You won't let her get hurt, Ian. I can't. I don't know what I'll do."
"I meant," Ian said, "that Pax has a point. Shit, I don't want to fight my sister. Before Dad retired, I'd already decided that I'd rather start a new pack than try, because I'm not sure I'd be the one winning. If you think any of these women in Wolf's Run would? No, I think that's actually brilliant."
Something about his words made that irritation in the back of my mind begin to fade. It was like the pressure had been removed and the pain was lessening with each second. All I could do was drop my head and sigh at the relief.
"This shit sucks," I told them.
"Kinda looks that way," Pax agreed. "But you're doing good, Lane. You really are."
"I'm not." I sighed again. "Every time I'm around her, I want to kiss her so hard she begs me to never stop. I want to tear off those pretty skirts and throw her on the floor. I want to leave my marks on her skin, but she's too soft for that. It's the only reason I don't. I would hurt her, and I can't stand the idea of her being in pain. So I do nothing."
"And nothing is the right answer for now," Ian reminded me. "She likes us. She wants to be with us. Let's convince her that this will work, and then we'll start worrying about all the rest."
"Like telling her we're wolves," Pax added. "We have to make sure she cares about us enough to not be scared off by that, ok?"
"And the mating ritual," Ian said. "That will protect her more than anything else. The pack will know that they'll have to come through me to get to her. We just need the chance to prove ourselves to her, ok? Then it'll happen."
I nodded. "I know. It just gets all stupid in my head at times."
"Lane," Pax said, stepping closer to clasp the back of my neck. "This is how you keep her safe. By waiting, you are protecting her. When she's ready, we will make it official, but not before. She likes you. She gets a silly smile on her face when you're sweet to her, so it's working. You're making her happy."
I huffed out a laugh. "I also left my truck at the office."
"I'll drive you over to get it," Pax promised. "And if you want to stop and have another little talk with Sampson, I'm completely on board with that, too." His smile made it clear it wouldn't be a kind chat.
"Take Seth," Ian suggested. "Mostly because it'll piss that old man off to have a convert giving him orders."