My wolf snarled within me at Katja’s words, unable to abide the thought of a woman being abused in that way. I took a few deep breaths to calm myself and not come across as a rage-filled animal, although I was.

“Thank you,” she said softly, her voice sweet and lilting.

Honestly, everything about her seemed to pull at something inside of me. She was beautiful, with the lightest blonde hair I’d ever seen, bright blue eyes, and a runner’s body. All of that paired with her sweet voice and hint of vulnerability, made her a threat to everything I wanted out of this trial.

In fact, I’d been fighting the urge to reach for her, to feel the warmth of her skin beneath mine since we’d started out, which had me wondering if we’d even make it through the week before I sent her packing.

Could I afford to have this strong of an attraction to the woman I wanted to mate for the rest of my life?

I wasn’t sure, but it felt like a betrayal to Sarah to feel this way. To be so aware of the person sitting next to me.

I cleared my throat and thought of what I wanted to convey.

“As I said in my message, I’m not looking for a love match. I’ve already had, and lost, my mate, and am mostly looking for a mother for Sloane. I will provide for you and care for you, and I hope, in time, we will develop a great friendship, but my heart is already spoken for,” I said, glancing at her briefly to gauge her reaction.

“I understand,” Katja said with a small smile. “And, honestly, it’s a relief. The last man I was in love with treated me like garbage, and I vowed I’d never allow myself to become that vulnerable to another person again. I’d like to be your friend and look forward to being there for Sloane.”

I smiled, pleased at her response.

“Can I ask a question? You said we should get it all out of the way, right?”

“Of course,” I replied. “Ask me anything.”

“What about… sex?” she said softly, and my body instantly tightened in response. “Are we going to be intimate in that way? Or will our marriage, or mating, be in name only? Will we be looking for companionship outside of each other? How will that work?”

My mouth went dry and my muscles strained.

I hadn’t had sex since Sarah had died, although I’d had plenty of opportunity. Still, I never imagined that I’d go my entire life without ever having sex again. And, Katja was a gorgeous young woman; of course she’d have needs of her own.

I chuckled dryly.

“I hadn’t thought of it,” I admitted.

“You haven’t?” Katja asked, surprised.

I could understand her surprise. I was a virile man in his early thirties, and wolves were very sexual creatures. I just hadn’t found anyone that tempted me since Sarah.

“What would you suggest?” I asked, swallowing hard as I waited for her answer.

I was unsure if I wanted her to say she wanted us to have sex, or that she’d find a discreet relationship outside of us.

Just the thought had my wolf ready to revolt. Cheating on your mate was unheard of for wolves.

“Well…” Katja began, and I could tell she was nervous. “If I’m being honest, I don’t know if I could be married to you, or claimed by you, and have either of us sleeping with other people. It goes against everything I believe in, and, I’m worried that might be a deal breaker for me. I’m sorry; I don’t mean to end the trial before it’s even begun.”

I thought about what she said and realized it was in line with the way I felt.

I let out a breath.

“I agree. It would be confusing, not just for us, but for Sloane. And, if word got out and the pack new we were sleeping around on each other, there could be repercussions. Once the claiming is complete, we’re mates for life, other intimate relationships are not an option.”

I felt Katja tremble slightly next to me and wondered if it was from fear, or anticipation.

“So, we’ll be committed to each other,” she confirmed.

I pulled into the parking lot of the local diner, turned off the car and put my arm on the back of the seat, facing her fully.

“You should know that I haven’t been with anyone since Sarah, so it may take some time for me to be ready…”

“I understand,” Katja said, reaching out to place a reassuring hand on my arm.

My skin beneath her touch felt branded, and my body began to thrum at the feel of human contact. Her contact.

I looked into her bright eyes and gave her a small smile of thanks.

I saw her lips part and her chest heave and knew she was as affected by our nearness as I was. When her desire hit my nostrils, I bit back a groan and knew we needed to get out of the jeep before I lost all semblance of control.

“Are you hungry?” I asked tightly.

Katja looked out the window in surprise, as if she hadn’t realized we’d stopped.

“Yes, actually, starved.”

“Great, let’s grab some food and then I’ll show you around the area before we head home.”

“Sounds good,” she said, and I breathed a sigh of relief when we jumped out of the jeep and the charged front seat.