Avery’s POV
Startled by my wolf’s voice in my mind, I could only stare as Gideon moved closer, his arms sliding around me gently.
Part of my brain was tracking his movements, off-handedly wondering if he was going to try to kiss me. Normally I might have been thrilled by such a development. After all, I still had my suspicions that he was the man who had slept with me the last time I was here.
But the other part of my brain was reeling from what my wolf had revealed. That she considered Gideon her mate—our mate.
What did that mean? That she wanted Gideon? That my wolf called to his and vice versa? Was she aware that I had already been marked by someone else?
Other than the initial pronouncement, “He is our mate,” my wolf offered no further information. She went silent, despite my p
