Power Unleashed by Savannah Stuart Page B

wanted to be with him or not was another matter. “I would have agreed with you a
    few hours ago, but Paz is staying with me. Under my roof and under my protection.”
    He’d planned to give her some space but after this development, he didn’t give a shit if
    she wanted to stay with him or not. She was his to protect.
    “That’s crazy! She’s—”
    “She’s my mate.” His quiet declaration stilled the room.
    Stephan’s hand hovered over the open suitcase and Marisol’s eyes widened
    in…horror. That was the only word Adam could think to describe it. Shit, was he that bad
    of a catch? He’d never thought about it before. He’d just assumed that if he found his
    mate, she’d want him as much as he wanted her. Something tightened around his chest,
    but he pushed past it. Emotional bullshit could get him killed. He needed to start
    thinking with his head. “That’s right. And she’s not leaving my sight.”
    Marisol’s gaze strayed past him and without turning he knew Paz had stepped into
    the doorway. “Is this true, hermana ?”
    He didn’t turn because he couldn’t bear to see her embarrassment.
    “It’s true.” Paz’s voice was quiet, remote.
    Stephan cleared his throat as he zipped up his suitcase. “Adam will have no
    problem taking care of your sister, Marisol. We are leaving in five minutes so make sure
    you pack everything you need.”
    “But—”
    “No buts. I would fight anyone to the death to protect you. Do you think it will be
    any different for him? Pack. Your. Stuff.” Stephan plucked his luggage off the bed and
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    Power Unleashed
    skirted past his angry mate. Adam turned and watched as Stephan linked his arm
    through Paz’s. He practically dragged her from the room.
    Frowning, he waited a moment before trailing after them. They were at the end of
    the hallway.
    “If you’re truly mates, give him a chance before condemning him,” Stephan
    murmured.
    Adam knew he wasn’t meant to overhear, but like so many of his kind, his hearing
    was exceptional.
    “I want to, but what if…” Paz trailed off as she met his gaze. Just as quickly she
    turned and hurried away from Stephan and into her bedroom. The door shut behind
    her with a resounding thud.
    What the hell was going on? Before he could voice anything, Stephan motioned to
    him. “Will you speak with me in private?”
    Gritting his teeth, he nodded and followed the other wolf down the stairs.
    Stephan was silent until they entered his office and shut the door behind them. He
    turned to Adam immediately. “Give Paz time to adjust to the fact that you’re mates.”
    “Excuse me?”
    Stephan lifted a dark eyebrow in amusement. “She wasn’t very receptive to the fact
    that you’re mates, was she?”
    His jaw clenched, but he didn’t answer.
    “I didn’t think so. I know you didn’t ask, but my mate is cut from the same cloth as
    yours so I’m giving this advice for free. Paz had a rough year. A year that would have
    likely broken most wolves. She’s just figuring out who she is again and then she meets
    you, the enforcer . She has a right to be wary of you. If—when—she puts her trust in you,
    don’t break that trust. If you do, I don’t care who you are, you’ll have to deal with the
    entire Lazos pack.”
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    He wasn’t exactly sure what Stephan was getting at, but this was the kind of
    conversation friends had and he couldn’t afford that type of relationship. Adam
    digested what Stephan said but veered the conversation in another direction. “Do you
    know where you’re taking your mate?”
    Stephan’s gaze narrowed for a fraction of a second before he nodded. “Yes. And I’m
    not telling anyone where, including you. I’ve already contacted my brothers and my
    Alpha so they’re aware of the situation.”
    “Good. Leave both your phones.” He might have use for Marisol’s phone. If he
    could bait Morales out into the open with it, he would, but he didn’t voice that.
    Stephan