Blacktail Deer Plateau Discretion of the Mind · PACK MEET

He bristled when she reminded him of his place in the grand scheme of things. "No," he answered slowly, "we're not mates. But I treat you with the same honor and respect as if we were." His mind flicked over all the gifts he'd left on her doorstep and he felt a bolt of indignation. "I guess it's good to know where you stand," he added sulkily, the implications clear.

When the Alpha female apologized and moved to lick him, he moved his head aside to avoid her. He felt bad instantly, though, and he returned her gaze and sighed. "I do not like losing track of you. How am I supposed to win you over if I never see you?" he rumbled softly, slowly nuzzling the velveteen fur of her cheek. "I just can't stand the thought of you spending time with anyone but me," he said with a possessive growl.

And though it wasn't his place—they were not mates and he was her subordinate besides—he gruffly questioned, "So? Where were you? Who were you with? What were you doing?"