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friendly as they were for fifteen years. Some had probably met Gina before. Others wouldn t know
who she was but saw a wolf they didn t know in their den. The fact that she was with Quinn didn t
matter when he wasn t actually near enough to her to show that he could protect her and the den.
He knew he was screwing this up, but he d deal with it after he ate.
He walked up to his door and cursed.
Jesse, he whispered as his son opened the door.
Dad! You re home.
Quinn leaned down and picked up his little boy, inhaling his soft scent. What are you doing
here, Jesse?
Walker came out from behind him, his brows raised. Jesse had a tough day at school so he
wanted to nap here instead of at Ryder s place. Since I was around, I stayed so Ryder could get some
work done. You going to get out of the way so Gina can come inside?
Gina? Jesse asked and looked over Quinn s shoulder fully. Hi. I m Jesse. The little boy
smiled, and Quinn wanted to growl and hide his son. He knew it made no sense.
He knew Gina wasn t the witch that hurt his son.
He just couldn t get that prejudice out of his head.
He was a goddamn bastard.
Quinn set Jesse down then moved out of the way so Gina could walk in. Jesse, this is Gina.
She s a Redwood who s working with me.
Gina got down at Jesse s level so they were eye to eye. Hi, Jesse. It s nice to meet you.
Jesse grinned and leaned into Quinn s leg. Hi. You re pretty.
Quinn closed his eyes and held back a groan. Like father, like son. Though from the way Gina
had smiled at his son, Jesse was doing better than him.
Not that Quinn wanted to do any better. Nope. He was going to feed her then do his job so he
could get her out of there. He opened his eyes and stared at the two of them, knowing he probably
should split them up before something happened.
Thank you, Jesse. You re handsome, yourself.
Jesse smiled big and leaned toward Gina. Daddy says he s the master of the universe. Are you
the master too since you re on the council?
Gina blinked, then raised her brow at Quinn.
Quinn did his best not to shuffle his feet like some teenage pup.
He says he s the master of the universe? she asked, laughter in her voice.
Jesse nodded. Uh huh. I have to say it or he won t quit tickling me.
Gina snorted then. I see. So that means you only say it under duress.
Jesse s eyes widened and then he shook his head. But he is the master of the universe.
Sure, honey. I believe you.
You should. I know things.
Really? So, how old are you that you know so many things?
Gina stood but leaned against the couch so Jesse could feel better. She put herself out of an
aggressive position so the pup would feel safe. Clearly she d been around kids before.
I m five. Jesse yawned.
Five? Already? You re growing up fast.
Quinn swallowed hard at the reminder and cleared his throat. Okay, buddy, you need to get
some sleep if you re yawning.
Gina frowned and looked outside at the sun in the sky. She didn t understand, and Quinn wasn t
sure he wanted to enlighten her.
I can put Jesse to bed, Walker said, his voice soft. Good to see you, Gina. I figure you and
Quinn here are ready to get some food and be on your way. I know what you re trying to accomplish,
and I think it will do some good.
He said his good-byes, and Quinn hugged his son. Jesse even hugged Gina before heading back
to his room. Jesse didn t have many females in his life only Gideon s sister, Brynn, really so it
was odd to see him attach himself to Gina so quickly.
Food? Quinn asked, knowing he sounded like an idiot.
Gina gave him an odd look then nodded. Okay. Then we walk around the den like idiots and try
to show people that we re friends?
Quinn turned and frowned. Excuse me?
Gina gave him a sad smile. I know you don t want me here. I know you didn t want to touch my
hand to get me through the wards. Hell, Quinn, you even stiffened when Jesse came by. I mean, did
you really think I was going to hurt your son? I don t know why you hated me on sight, but there s
something we need to talk about.
He growled, wanting her out of his house, away from him before he did something stupid, like
apologize.
There s nothing we need to talk about.
Yes, yes there is, you idiot.
Get out, Gina. We can do this another time. Or better yet, you and Lorenzo can.
She shook her head. You feel it, don t you?
Feel what? He ran a hand over his head and clenched his jaw. When he met her gaze, the tears
in them surprised him.
We re mates, Quinn.
He let out a breath and took a step back. His head whirled, and he tried to swallow. What?
No. Hell no. This couldn t be happening.
She shook her head, a single tear sliding down her cheek. She gave a small laugh, only it
sounded hollow.
Maybe you didn t know. My wolf though? She wants you as her own. I know the Talons and
Redwoods haven t mated since the treaty, but apparently fate changed her mind.
He didn t know what to say. What to think. What the hell? He wasn t supposed to have another
mate. He d already had a mate. One that left him, broke him, and almost killed him and his son.
Instead of thinking, he said the first thing that came to mind.
Fuck fate.
Her eyes widened, and she took a step back as though he d slapped her. Fuck fate? she
whispered.
Fuck it. You don t get it, Gina. I don t care what fate says because I m not mating again. I
already had one. I m not doing it again.
Tears filled her eyes, but she nodded. I& I get it. When my uncle Adam lost his mate, he refused
to mate Bay. It was only an accident they were mated in the first place.
He shook his head. I m not like your uncle Adam. His mate died. I know the story. My mate?
She s alive, Gina.
She scrunched her face. How can that be?
He let out a hollow laugh. How? Because that stupid bitch went to a goddamn witch and broke
our mating bond. She also almost killed our son in the process.
Oh, Quinn, I m so sorry. Tears were flowing freely now, but he ignored them.
Jesse is hanging by a thread, and there s nothing I can do about it. You think I want another mate
when I already had my chance? I lost it because she found greener pastures or some shit. She chose
that life over what she had and broke my soul. I don t want another freaking mate, let alone a witch I
will never trust.
She froze, her face going deathly pale.
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