“That’s not a healthy relationship.”

“No, it’s not. She doesn’t like it. She doesn’t want a meek servant; she wants a strong male who is her equal. But he just folded under the weight of her personality until he was a shadow of his former self.” He squeezed Harley’s hand. “That’s not something I’ll ever have to worry about with you.” Which was essential to him, because if his mate couldn’t push back, he’d destroy something inside her . . . and that wasn’t something he’d be able to live with.

Clive Vincent didn’t look like a killer, Jesse thought. In fact, he was the epitome of average. Average height, average weight, average looks. The kind of person who could easily blend in and not stick out in a person’s memory . . . if it weren’t for those brutally cold gray eyes. They remained locked on his daughter as she and Jesse entered the small box room and took seats opposite him.

There were four guards, which was a little excessive in Jesse’s opinion. All of them watched Clive carefully. It wasn’t just that they appeared to fear him. It was that they also didn’t seem to quite trust how the visitation would go.

It occurred to Jesse that they could be worried how Clive would react to the presence of his only daughter’s mate. Well, up to this point, he still had yet to acknowledge him. Jesse didn’t get the feeling that the wolf was being rude. It was more that he simply didn’t find him significant . . . as if Jesse was interchangeable to him. For the moment, Harley held all his attention.

“Harley, sweetheart, I’ve missed you.”

And Harley knew he genuinely had, because Clive didn’t do too well with being alone. “Hello, Dad.”

“You look pretty today. I like your hair loose.” His smile turned nostalgic. “Do you remember when I used to brush it into little pigtails? You were the cutest thing ever.”

“I remember.”

He glanced at the guards. “Leave us. I want some quality time with my daughter.”

The humans exchanged looks with each other, unsure.

Clive sighed. “I won’t hurt him. It would upset Harley and then she would leave. Now go.”

And, to Jesse’s shock, they actually left. What the fuck? Harley didn’t seem surprised, so he guessed this wasn’t an uncommon thing. Well, he damn well didn’t like it. Cuffed or not, Clive was still dangerous. He also apparently had some power in here.

“That’s better.” Finally, Clive looked at him. Not many things had ever truly unnerved Jesse, but being the focus of those cold eyes was a little unsettling. “Harley, I see that you’ve brought your mate.”

“Yes, this is Jesse Dalton. Jesse, this is Clive Vincent.”

Clive gave her an indulgent look of reproach. “I would have appreciated finding out about your mating from you. It hurt that I learned it from the guards.”

She could almost believe that he truly was hurt . . . only she knew better. Instead of making excuses, Harley just held his stare. She was good at outstaring people; she’d learned it from him.

A slow smile spread across Clive’s face. “I like that you don’t apologize for your choices.” He leaned back in his seat. “Tell me, Dalton, is it correct that Harley isn’t really your mate? It said so in the article that the guards showed me. But reporters lie, after all.”

His wolf growled. “Harley is my mate.”

“Of course. I meant, is it correct that she’s not your true mate?” It was said as if that would mean he didn’t really have any rights to Harley, and that was utter bullshit.

Refusing to give Clive any emotion to feed on, Jesse called on all his experience at keeping his expression blank. “That’s not important.”

“Oh? Then what is?”

“Harley.”

“And yet, by claiming her you have deprived her of the chance to be with her true mate. That strikes me as a selfish act.”

“It is.” But Jesse didn’t have to justify himself to this weird fucker, and he wouldn’t apologize for claiming Harley.

Clive looked at him expectantly, but he sighed when Jesse said no more. Moving his attention back to his daughter, he smiled. “It’s good that you have made your way back to our world. I would have preferred it if you rejoined your pride.”

“It’s not a pride.”

“It’s not a conventional pride. It needs tidying. Better order. Someone strong enough to lead the strong personalities within it.” His gray eyes slid back to Jesse. “How would you feel about being an Alpha, Dalton?”

Jesse met his probing gaze without flinching. “My current position suits me.”

“Ah yes, you’re an enforcer. That level of power satisfies you? I find that hard to believe. I can sense how dominant you are.”

“I have no wish to be an Alpha or to leave my pack.” It was true.

“Not even if it was what your mate wanted?”

“It’s not what she wants.”

“You presume to know what she wants?”

“I know she left that sorry excuse for a pride for a damn good reason and that nothing could make her want to go back. So, with all due respect, fuck your offer.” His response was rude, sure, but shifters only respected strength. Of course, given that this male wasn’t entirely sane, there was no telling how he would feel about Jesse’s attitude.

For a moment, Clive said nothing. Then he smiled at Harley. “He’s not so bad.”