“Don’t think that way. Now, you need shoes, and my clothes practically tent you.” A grin flashed when his gaze lowered to her breasts. “Although I wouldn’t complain if you remained naked.”

She grinned. “As tempting as that is, your family tends to drop in announced. Lead on. Just don’t leave me alone.”

He started to walk again, keeping her hand inside his, and they entered a small tourist shop. The woman behind the counter smiled until her gaze lowered to Dusti. The twenty-something-looking woman frowned at that point.

“Drantos.” The woman inclined her head; her silky, short black hair brushed her tan shoulders revealed by a tank top. “It is good you have returned.”

“Peva, this is my mate, Dusti. She needs some temporary clothing and shoes.”

“Of course.”

“Drantos?”

Dusti turned to gawk at the six-foot-four guy with shaggy dark brown hair down to his broad shoulders who’d somehow managed to sneak up without a sound. His piercing brown gaze trained on Drantos. She guessed this had to be the guy who ran the auto shop, when she noticed engine grease smeared over his metal band T-shirt, the front of his faded jeans, and down both of his bared, muscular arms.

“What is it?” Drantos released her to address the tall man.

“We need to speak privately for a second.” He ignored everyone else. “I got a phone call. Can you step outside?”

“Yeah.” Drantos forced a smile at Dusti. “Go find shoes and some clothes. Don’t worry about the price and get enough to last you a few days. I’ll be right back.” He strode out of the store.

“So you are the human causing so much talk in the clan.”

Dusti turned to face the woman behind the counter. A little fear inched up her spine at the unhappy expression on Peva’s features. “My father was one. I’ve been told my mother was a VampLycan.”

“Drantos deserves to have a strong mate. That isn’t you.”

Shock held Dusti silent until her temper flared to life. “I take it you’re attracted to him? Too bad. I’m his mate.”

“That’s not true. He’s like family and I already have a mate. From what I hear, you rejected Drantos.” The woman moved around the counter but kept her distance. “You will make him appear weak to the clan.” She pointed to the back of the shop. “There are shoes and clothing over there. I even carry underclothes. Get them and get out. Drantos can pay up later. I hope you make his home life a happy one since he’s giving up so much for you.”

Dusti hesitated. “What does that mean?”

Anger burned in Peva’s glare. “He’s the first son of our clan leader. That means he’s expected to breed strong children to ensure our future. To take a weak mate is the equivalent of shirking his responsibilities to the clan. The men will lose respect for him. That’s a big deal. Do you have any idea how many women turn mating age and travel here in an attempt to get him to taste them, to see if they’re his mate? It devastated every female he turned down, and they came from strong families with good bloodlines. Their fathers were enforcers. He’s probably the most desired male in our clan, hell, in any of them. The men envied him—until you came along. Now they will pity him. They can be assholes. He’ll ignore it but it will make life hard on Drantos.”

She let that information sink in. Drantos had lost respect? That bothered her a lot. “I don’t know how to fix this. It’s not my fault my father was human. What do you expect me to do? I love him.”

“I see.” Peva’s anger seemed to drain somewhat. “I’m glad to hear that, at least.”

“Do you have any advice to help us with this mess or would you rather just try to make me feel worse?” Dusti edged closer to the clothes rack in the shop.

“Do you really care?”

Anger burned. “He’s my mate. I deeply love him,” Dusti ground out. “You could give me advice if you’re truly his friend, since I know so little about your ways.”

The woman appraised her. “You need to show the clan that you are worthy to be his mate. If you truly care about him, you try hard to fit in and make people like you. They might be willing to overlook your bloodlines.”

“Do you want to share some suggestions? I’m not a mind reader.”

Peva took a deep breath. “Be respectful to him at all times, especially publicly. Relationships work differently with VampLycans. You never contradict him in front of others. Do that at home, in private. You’re allowed to argue with your mate as much as you wish behind closed doors. Men like a woman with spirit and he’ll encourage that. Rumors are circulating that he had to plead with you to be his mate. “

“He didn’t beg me to come home with him.”

She shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. That’s what everyone believes. You need to fix that immediately before the rumors spread to other clans.”

“Fine.” Dusti spun around and quickly found things in her size. She got an armload of clothing, picked out a pair of canvas slip-ons, and then turned. “Do you need to add this up?”

“I see what you’ve taken.” Peva held out a bag.

Dusti put all the things into it. “Thank you.”

“Make him happy. That is all I want. We grew up together. He’s been as close to a brother as I have after my own died.”

“I’ll do my best,” she promised, before stepping out into the sunshine.

Drantos and the taller guy stood ten feet away whispering but they noticed her immediately. She paused until Drantos motioned her over. The big man ignored her still as if she didn’t exist. He didn’t glance at her once.

“Thank you,” Drantos said.

“Not a problem. Let me know if you need anything.” The guy disappeared down an alley next to the store.

“What was that about?”

Drantos took her burden from her then cradled her against his chest with one arm. “We’ll discuss it later. Do you want to put on the shoes now?”

“Not really. I’d just like to go home.”

He offered his hand. “Are you okay? You appear a little irritated.”

“I’m fine.”

He didn’t seem convinced but he tugged her toward the walkway. “We’ll be home soon.”