chapter 55

His touch made me feel calmer. For a moment, I considered crawling into his embrace and letting him hold me. I’d be protected and safe in his arms. Part of me ached for it. Holding myself back was harder than I thought it would be. The mating bond was growing. Alec had been right. Even Viki was right. I was feeling something for Tyler.

“I am not okay.” I wasn’t even referring to my injuries. The thought of having feelings in any way for this piece of shit was not okay. None of this was okay.

Ace leaned down and spoke quietly. “Show him the mark,” Ace whispered. “How long have you been lying to us, you little bitch?”

He had kept his tone low enough that nobody aside from me could hear him. I didn’t know how to respond. He wasn’t outing me in front of everyone, but he knew.

“This ends now, Dad. She’s my mate. I will not have her disrespected like this.” Tyler stood and grabbed a blanket off a chair. He walked over to me and draped it over my shoulders.

Grateful, I pulled it around me. I