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“Sibley, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve never been in your house,” I say again. This time I grab her face to keep her eyes locked on mine. “It wasn’t me. I swear it. I’d never invade your space like that.”

“Yes, it was. Please stop playing with me. I won’t say anything. I just need to know it was you.” Her voice cracks.

“No, it wasn’t. I swear to you. It wasn’t me. I wouldn’t do that to you.” I pull her into my arms. It’s the most natural thing I’ve ever done.

Instead of pushing me away as I expected her to, she holds on to me. Holds me like I’m her lifeline.

“I don’t know who it is, Primal. I figured it was you messing with me. God, I’m an idiot,” she whispers against my chest.

"You’re not an idiot."

This is my fault.

She’s been hiding this, keeping it to herself because she was sure it was me who was terrorizing her.

No more.

I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m damn sure not about to let her face whatever is happening by herself.

Chapter

Thirteen

Sibley

I can’t stop shaking.

No matter how long Primal holds me and tells me everything is okay, I know it’s a lie.

If it’s not him who’s been doing this to me, who is it? As much as I want to force myself to believe that it’s nothing but paranoia that has me thinking I’m being watched, I can’t force myself to believe that there wasn’t someone in my house.

Someone in my personal space, moving things around.

Someone had been inside.

Finally, I catch my breath. I hear myself whimper as Primal pushes me back. I want to stay in his arms. I feel safe while he’s holding me.

Which I find surprising.

“Sibley, I need you to be clear. Talk to me. What’s going on? Tell me everything.”

There was no point in getting him involved, especially since I know so clearly he doesn’t want to be involved. He told me as much earlier.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll figure it out. I’m —”

“I swear by all the gods that if you’re about to tell me you’re fine, we’re going to have a problem. Stop it. For once, drop the wall you’ve built. Just a little, and tell me the truth. You’re not fine. I can see you’re not. I’m sorry if I’m even part of the problem, but if there’s something more going on, I need to know.”

“Why?” I look up at him through my lashes. I’m not trying to antagonize him. I don’t want to start another fight. I just want to know why he seems to care.

“I don’t know. What I do know is that even thinking about someone trying to hurt you is ripping me up inside. It has my lion clawing to get out. So, for the love of the gods, please talk to me.”

He’s telling the truth.

The lion in my vision is him. There’s no denying it.

Oh gods.

At the time, I thought the lion was something to fear, a predator who would come to inflict pain and hurt. Turns out this lion is my protector.