I knew I had to keep Jewels pinned down until she passed out or fell asleep, whichever came first. I told my father and the others to keep the students back. No one needed to witness me subduing my mate. My mate who absolutely hates me.
She struggled and snarled against me for hours. I felt every one of her commands to let her go, but I’m an Alpha too. I refused to allow her commands to work. To her credit, she never cried, and never begged. She fought and she ordered me to release her until she finally wore herself out.
“I love you, Jewels. You are my mate,” I tell her for the thousandth time.
“You lied to me,” she says softly, her voice layered with hurt.
“I kept the truth from you, yes. But not because I wanted to be deceitful. I wanted you to get to know me before you decided that
