Quinn came with her, riding in the ambulance, while Trent and John—still pissed-looking—gave statements to the officers.
“I talked to Jason Bishop, the alpha of the Bishop pack while we were waiting for the ambulance. He’d expressed his regrets and promised me a swift punishment for his niece. His pack is ruled by a strict code to not harm innocent bystanders. The fact you’re a human makes the matter more delicate.
“People like us prefer to keep our existence hidden from the general public. Jason didn’t tell me about Ivy’s punishment, but I think she’ll be banished from the pack and sent into exile. She won’t be a danger to you anymore, Vanessa. I’ll make sure she won’t be.”
“Don’t you think that’s kind of harsh, though? Ivy is already miserable; she can’t have you, Quinn. In times like this, she needs her family support more than ever. If her family disowns her, she could go even crazier.”
A wan smile surfaced. He stroked her hair fondly. “This is what I like about you. You have such a big heart, Vanessa.” He sighed. “I can’t dictate what Jason should do to his niece. Werewolves are proud creatures. They hate losing face. If Jason isn’t strict, he’d lose control of his pack and be replaced. The pack dynamic is quite ruthless.”
“Wow. Interesting. Who knew?”
Quinn cut his gaze to her arms. His eyes filled with anguish. This man really cared for her. She believed him when he told her he’d never made any marriage arrangement with Ivy’s uncle. Quinn was offered Ivy to marry, but he refused. He’d never been interested in that she-wolf.
Instead, Quinn chose her.
His feeling for her was real.
“Were you ever going to tell me the truth about being a shifter?” she asked.
“I was waiting for the right moment to reveal my secret.” Quinn managed to look sheepish this time, which didn’t suit him at all. “I failed to woo you in the conventional way. I told you, desperate times call for desperate measures. When you kissed me at the New Year’s party, I thought, this was it. I won’t get another chance like this. I had to make my move now. Do you want to know what you said to me at that party?”
What she’d drunkenly mumbled that made him push her against the wall and kiss the life out of her. “What did I say?”
“Quinn, I want to be your mate.”
She widened her eyes. “No way. Why would I say ‘mate’?”
“I don’t know. Maybe your subconscious mind knew the truth: that you were to be a mate to an alpha. Or perhaps it was divine intervention. I took it as a sign. You didn’t say ‘I want to be your woman. Or girlfriend.’ You said ‘mate.’ Humans can get married and divorced, but for us, mating is forever. You belong to me, Vanessa Lyle.” He held her face and kissed her until she was breathless. “I’ll never let you go.”
“Not even to the bathroom or to the store?” she joked.
“Getting cheeky, aren’t you?” Quinn pinched her.
“Ouch.” Vanessa giggled. “Sorry, I can’t help myself. I can’t resist it each time you talk in bad poetry.”
His jaw twitched. “That’s it. You’re going to get it tonight, woman. I don’t care if your arm’s in bandages. I’m going to fuck you. And you’re going to get spanked. I won’t stop until your ass is red and—”
There was a commotion in the hallway and Quinn’s mom’s voice overrode the nurse with full authority. A second later, she burst into the examination room.
“Vanessa! Poor child! Are you all right? Were you hurt badly?” Savannah took one look at her arms and gasped. She shoved her son aside unceremoniously. “That bitch! How dare she? John called me and told me what happened. This is unacceptable. I will speak to her alpha and demand justice. I want that bitch’s head on a platter, and I won’t accept any less.” Savannah growled like a mad tigress after someone had messed with one of her cubs. “The gall of that lowly dog!”
“Mom. Your tail is sticking out,” Quinn pointed.
Savannah totally ignored him. “What am I going to say to your parents? That you got hurt while under my watch? I’m so ashamed.”