Chapter 33
Tessa
I stare out the window as Slater drives.
My mind feels messy and chaotic. I get like this when I'm overtired; I can’t make sense of anything and everything is a bigger deal than it really is.
But right now, it really does feel like things are out of control.
I glance down at the bracelet on my wrist. It looks so normal, but when Slater touched me, it was like my entire body was being electrocuted.
I’m a touchy person, and I’ve gotten used to being touched by Slater.
The thought of him not being able to touch me or me him makes me panicky.
I stare at the bracelet and try to remember everything Sam said.
Then I think of that dark, hideous creature Slater killed.
A shudder of revulsion flows through me.
“Hey.” Slater’s calm voice brings me back to reality. He reaches over like he’s going to touch me but drops his hand at the last minute. “It’s going to be okay.” I look over at him and see the reassurance in his eyes. “I will keep you safe, Tess.”
Those words settle the panic rising inside me, and I stare at the man who is literally becoming my everything.
I take a breath, scared of the strong feelings I have.
I’ve never shied away from strong feelings before; I’ve always been super emotional.
But I’m scared of how strong my feelings are for him; we haven’t even known each other that long.
“Tess.” His voice is low and strong. “What are you thinking? I can feel you mentally spiraling.” He looks over at me. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”
“I’m scared of what I feel for you,” I tell him with gut-level honesty. “It feels like too much too soon.”
He parks outside of a house before turning to me.
“I hear you. It is a lot. I think maybe it’s easier on me because I’ve always known this would happen when I found my mate.
For you, this is all brand new. If I could give you this reassurance—you are it for me.
There will never be another woman for me.
So, while it feels like a lot really fast, and it is, this is real, Tess.
What we have between us is real; it’s not going anywhere.
It will only continue to grow stronger.”
“Are you sure I’m the one you want?” I ask, not looking away from him.
“Absolutely.” There’s not an ounce of hesitation in his voice.
“Am I the one you want?” he asks in return.
My eyebrows hit my hairline, and I sputter out a laugh. “Slater, any woman would want you.”
“I want to know if you want me.”
I stare him in the eye and force myself to be braver than I ever have been. There’s always a risk to putting yourself out there; but that’s a risk I want to take. With him. “Yes.”
He stares at me. “Man, I wish I could touch you.”
The high I was feeling dissipates. “Right. Well, I guess we should get this figured out then.”
He blows out a breath. “Yeah.” I turn to my door, but he stops me. “Tess.”
I turn back to look at him. “No matter what happens in there, I’ll make sure you’re safe.”
“Thanks, Slater.” I open my door and climb out.
I notice right away that Reid is standing a few feet away from the truck. I glance towards the cozy-looking house. “This is Zane’s family’s house.”
“Yeah.” He falls into step next to me but is careful not to touch me.
“It’s pretty.” He doesn’t say anything as we walk to the front door. “When do I get to meet your family, Slater?”
He glances down at me. “I’ll take you soon.”
The front door opens, and Zane’s dad steps out. “Tessa, Slater, come on in.” I walk past him and into the house. The house is already full, and I feel a little lost.
“You must be Tessa,” a beautiful woman with a kind face says. I nod. “I’m Zane’s mom.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” I put out my hand, but she reaches out and pulls me in for a hug.
I tense at first, expecting pain; but there is none.
She pulls back and gives me a tender look that so reminds me of my mom, it makes my throat tighten.
“We are going to figure this mess out.” There’s a confidence in her voice that makes me feel like everything is going to be okay.
She glances over her shoulder and smiles gently.
“Slater.” I hear the affection in her voice, but she doesn’t reach out to touch him in any way.
“Hang in there; we’ll get this all sorted.
” She glances at me with a smile. “Your mate is beautiful.”
“She is.” His words make me feel exactly that.
I glance over my shoulder and meet his eyes.
There’s a connection between us that needs no words, and I find myself wanting to protect him as much as he wants to protect me.
It’s a fierce feeling inside me that almost startles me with its intensity.
As I continue to stare at him, his eyes lighten slightly; and I watch in fascination as they almost begin to glow.
“Tess,” he says in a low growl. He takes a step forward, but Zane’s dad chooses that moment to call everybody together.
“Let’s eat, and then we’ll get to work.” My stomach suddenly growls, and I realize how hungry I am.
“You must be starving,” I say to Slater. Everybody gathers around, and I take in the occupants in the room. Zane’s parents, Joe-the enforcer, Evie and Zane, Reid, and Quint. Zane’s dad prays for the food, and everybody starts filling their plates.
“You’re having a party without me?”
I turn at the sound of the new voice and see Riley, Zane’s sister, for the first time in person.
Even if I hadn’t seen Reid’s photo of her, I would know she was Zane’s sister.
They look very similar. “We didn’t invite you because we didn’t want you to eat all the food,” Zane calls out good-naturedly.
She just laughs and walks over and hugs him.
“Hey, Evie.” She hugs Evie as well. I look for Reid and notice him standing off to the side. He tries to act casual, but his eyes are glued to Riley. I wonder how in the world nobody else sees it; it’s as clear as day.
“You must be Tessa.” I face Riley, who’s suddenly in my face.
“So, you’re the one who’s taken down the mighty Slate.
” She grins. “You gotta tell me. Was it his winning personality or the fact that he talks so much?” I laugh and glance at Slater, but he doesn’t seem to mind her insults.
She turns serious. “I’m happy for you, Slate. ”
“Thanks, Riley.” I notice that he glances over at Reid. It’s quick, but I saw it. I wonder if maybe he does know about Reid and Riley after all.
“I’m looking forward to getting to know you better, Tessa.
” She whirls around. “I’m starving.” She elbows Zane in the side.
“Save some for the rest of us.” I watch her go and think to myself that Reid really is in trouble for next year.
Everybody gets food and starts eating, but I can’t stomach the thought of food right now, even though my stomach is grumbling.
Slater must not be able to either because he doesn’t touch the food.
“Tess, come sit,” Evie calls out, patting the seat next to her. I head over to her and take the seat on the couch. “Not able to eat?” she asks softly.
“No.”
She gives me a worried look. “We’ll get it figured out, Tess.”
“I know.”
Zane walks over towards us, but Riley zips in front of him, taking the seat on the other side of Evie. “Sorry, Big Brother; you gotta be faster next time.”
He growls at her, but she just waves him off with a laugh.
He ends up sitting on the floor a few feet from the couch.
I notice he’s not actually upset, even though he pretends to be.
Watching Riley and Zane makes me miss my older brother; we’re a lot like them.
I glance around the room for Slate and find him standing against the wall a few feet away.
His dark eyes meet mine, but he doesn’t say anything.
The conversation’s flowing all around me, and I take it all in.
Slater leaves his post and walks over to the front door.
I watch him go, wondering what’s going on.
When he steps back, a man and woman come in.
It doesn’t take me but an instant to figure out who they are; he looks just like a combination of both of them. Slater’s parents.
I stand and walk over to them. Slater turns to the side, and I step up next to him. “Dad and Mom, this is Tessa. Tessa, my parents.”
Three sets of gray eyes focus on me, and it’s almost uncanny. I step forward and put my hand out. “It’s so nice to meet you.”
Slater’s father frowns. “She’s human.” I freeze, my hand still extended.
“Samuel, Jeannie, welcome,” Zane’s dad says, joining us. I slowly lower my hand back to my side.
“Alpha,” Slate’s dad says gruffly and shakes Zane’s dad’s hand.
“Hi, Alpha,” Slater’s mom says quietly.
“She’s human,” Slater’s dad says, looking at me like I’m the scum of the earth.
“She is.” There’s an aggression to Slater’s voice that’s troubling.
I don’t want him to fight with his parents over me.
If I could touch him, I would put my hand on his arm.
But I can’t. Frustration fills me. I hate not being able to touch him; touch is literally my love language.
It’s how I communicate best, and I feel lost without it.
“Tessa is human,” Zane’s dad says calmly. “As is Evie, Zane’s mate, which you know. Time’s are changing, Samuel. And we either change with them or get left behind.”
“Tanner would have never put up with this.” I can feel the tension escalate. I don’t know who Tanner is, but if I had to take a guess, I would guess that he was the alpha before Alpha Blackwood.
“No, he wouldn’t,” Zane’s dad says calmly.
“And he’s also not alpha anymore.” We all would be fools not to hear the threat in his voice.
“Like I said, you either change with the times or get left behind. Your son has chosen a wonderful mate. Tessa is strong and loyal and tenderhearted. She is the perfect mate for Slate. You would do well to welcome her and give her the honor she deserves. But just in case you don’t heed my advice, hear my warning.
Tessa is Slate’s mate, and as such, she is under my protection.
I will not allow anything to happen to her. ”
“She’s under my protection as well. And if you do so much as make her uncomfortable, you’ll deal with me.” Slater’s words are low and fierce, and my heart aches. This isn’t how family is supposed to be.
“I don’t want to divide your family,” I say quietly.
“You’re not,” Slater says, anger in his tone.
“It’s very nice to meet you, Tessa,” Slate’s mom says quietly. The words are a little stilted, but I appreciate that she’s trying.
I smile at her brightly. “It’s nice to meet you as well. I can see where Slater gets his good looks from.”
She gives me a hesitant smile, but I can tell my words do nothing to soften Slater’s dad towards me. I meet his gaze head-on. I want to make things work, but I also won’t roll over and play dead. “Slater means the world to me, and I hope you can respect that.”
“And if not,” Slater’s voice comes from right behind me. “I’m sure you know who I’ll choose.”