Jackson looked at me and took a step forward, then stopped abruptly. It was as though I had pricked him.

If only I could.

If only I were a porcupine shifter or something-if those even existed. All those little needles to protect myself from all these Alphas and their tempers.

He let out a huff. “I don’t need you to flatter me. I just want to make sure you’re okay.”

I’d readied myself to fight with him; I didn’t expect him to say such a thing.

It threw me off-kilter.

And now he was smiling, which threw me off even more.

He seemed genuinely concerned about my physical condition and...