Kill him, my wolf snarled. Go back and kill him.

Later, I promised. After that, we take care of our mate.

"Where do you go to school?" I managed, through clenched teeth.

"Silverwestern." She laughed bitterly. "By tomorrow, everyone there will know."

"Stop." My voice came out rougher than intended.

She looked up, startled.

"Don't talk about yourself like that," I said, alpha tone bleeding through. "He's the worthless one. Not you."

"You don't know me."

"I know you didn't deserve what happened tonight. I know you're brave as hell. And I know that guy was a fucking idiot."

Her eyes filled with fresh tears. "Why are you being nice to me?"

Because you're mine. Because my soul recognizes yours.

"Because someone should be," I said instead.

She broke then. Really broke. Tears streamed down her face as she hunched over her coffee, shoulders shaking with silent sobs.

I moved without thinking, sliding to her side of the booth and pulling her against my chest. She stiffened—then collapsed into me, crying so hard I thought she might break apart

"I've got you," I murmured, stroking her hair. It was softer than I'd imagined, damp from the snow and smelling like vanilla and something sweet. "You're safe."

My wolf was purring—a sound meant to comfort mates. I couldn't quite stop it, but she didn't seem to notice. She just cried and cried.

I didn't move. Just held my mate through it all. Eventually, her sobs slowed. She pulled back, wiping her face. "Sorry. I got your shirt all wet."

"Don't care."

She looked up at me and something shifted in her expression—awareness of how close we were. How my arm was still around her shoulders. The way I was looking at her.

"Thank you," she said quietly.

"Don't thank me yet." I checked my phone. It was nearly midnight. "It's late. Do you have somewhere to stay?"

"I... no. I was supposed to stay at the lodge with Josh." Her face twisted.

"Most places are closed for Christmas Eve." I hesitated. "Look, I know you don't know me, but I can get us a room at the Winter Pine Inn. Two beds," I added quickly. "I just don't want you alone tonight."

She studied me for a long moment. "You're either genuinely kind or a serial killer."

"Definitely the first one."

"That's what a serial killer would say."

Despite everything, I grinned. "Fair point. But Jack here has known me since I was a kid. Jack—am I a serial killer?"

"Nope," Jack called from the bar.

"See? Certified non-murderer." I waited. "What do you say?"

She took a deep breath. "Okay. But if you try anything—"

"I won't. I swear."

"Okay," she whispered.

The Winter Pine Inn was two blocks away. I checked us in while she waited, then led her upstairs to a room with a queen size bed, that was what was available.

"Bathroom's there if you need it," I said.

But she was already kicking off her boots and crawling into the nearest bed, still wearing my jacket and wrapped in the comforter. Within seconds, her breathing evened out.

I stood there watching her breathe, fighting every instinct that told me to climb in next to her.

Instead, I grabbed the spare blanket and settled into the chair by the window, knowing I wouldn't sleep.

The bond was already forming—I could feel it, a golden thread connecting us, fragile but growing stronger.

She was my mate.

But in the morning, she was gone.