Page 64 of New Blood

He brushed his knuckles over her cheek. “I know that. And believe me, I didn’t believe Eve when she accused you.”

She took his hand and pressed it to her cheek. “I know.”

He kissed her gently. “Do you think it’s possible that William had an affair around the same time that you came to the pack. And Clarice suspected it was you?”

She shrugged. “It’s possible. But she never said anything to me.”

“Mmm… Maybe we should try to find the letters so we can clear this up.”

“You mean you need proof that I didn’t sleep with William?”

He recognized the glint of hurt in her eyes and shook his head instantly. “No, I don’t, baby. I believe you. But Eve made these accusations in front of everybody. I want everybody to know that she lied. Or at least that she was wrong. She owes you an apology.”

She forced a smile. “I get it.”

He shelved her chin on his fingers and tipped her face up. “I love you. Nothing can change that. You’re mine. And I protect what’s mine.” He pressed a soft kiss to her lips.

“I love you too,” Danielle said. “But there’s something I don’t understand about Eve…”

“What about her?”

“I overheard her and Byron talking the other day. And from that talk it was pretty clear that Eve had no intention whatsoever of mating with you. And Byron said she had to do it, otherwise Violet would become the alpha female, and he hated that idea. So what changed? Why did Eve even show up here tonight if she didn’t want you?”

“You’ve known her longer than I have. I’m not sure what goes on in her mind.” He shrugged. “I have the feeling that even if I’d decided to mate with her, I would never really know her.”

“What do you mean?”

“She’s the kind of woman who would keep secrets… even from her mate. And there should never be any secrets between a mated pair.”

“Oh.”

Danielle lowered her eyes, shifting her gaze away from him, because she, too, was keeping a secret. A secret that she’d thought she’d take to her grave, just like her mother had done.

“Something wrong?” He caressed her cheek. “Baby, am I upsetting you by talking about Eve?”

She shook her head, lifting her eyes to look at him. Would he understand if she told him what she’d done? Would he be able to still look at her with love in his eyes?

“There’s something I haven’t told you about me. About my past…”

“I’m sure there are plenty of things you don’t know about me, either. Every day we’ll get to know each other better… and get closer…”

“This is something that might make you feel differently about me…”

“There’s nothing that can change my feelings for you,” he assured her.

She swallowed hard, collecting all her courage, then parted her lips. “I lied to you.” Or rather, she’d only told him half the truth.

Disbelief washed over his face as he stared at her.

She scooted off his lap, nervous about how he would react.

“When I told you about my mother leaving her husband…” she said, while tears welled up in her eyes. “I didn’t tell you the whole truth. She didn’t leave him.”

“What are you saying?”

She couldn’t even look at him for fear of breaking down, of being unable to force the whole truth over her lips.

“My stepfather, he hurt her so badly that night. She was unconscious on the floor when I came home. He was drunk, worse than normal. He must have knocked her unconscious before she even knew what was happening; otherwise, she would have shifted to defend herself.”