Kieran’s jaw tightened a bit when he saw Lena narrowing her eyes at him. She didn’t say anything, but he could tell from the look on her face that she didn’t believe him and was starting to get suspicious.

“Well, you don't have to bother too much about that because it's nothing and there’s no more to it. Just that it's a belief that your mate should stay by your side no matter what,” he said, in a casual tone.

Lena tilted her head. “Really?” she asked, softly but pointedly. “Just a belief? That your mates should stay by your side no matter what?”

Kieran avoided her eyes. Thinking of...