She was afraid to hurt him by mentioning Garrett. She gave him the short version, hoping it would be enough. “I had to keep taking the pills all the time and it seemed to send me into menopause.”

“You only ever took them when you started going into heat.”

She hesitated but knew Brand wasn’t going to let it go. “Let’s skip this.”

A muscle in his jaw jerked and his eyes narrowed. “Talk to me, damn it. Is this something to do with that asshole you were forced to be with?”

She nodded sharply. “I don’t want to talk about him ever again.”

“What are you not telling me? You said you’d never lie to me, hon.”

“I don’t want you to get angry.”

“Tell me because whatever I’ll imagine has to be worse.”

She studied his eyes. “I doubt it.”

“Damn it, Charma. Tell me.”

It was a direct order from her mate. She knew the tone, although with Brand it wasn’t harsh or implied he’d inflict pain if she disobeyed his demand. “I just didn’t want to ruin the moment by answering. It doesn’t matter anymore. I’m off the pills and obviously I can go into heat.”

“You’re stalling.”

She took a deep breath and prepared for his rage. It wouldn’t be directed at her but she hated to expose him to all the horrors she’d been through. “Okay. I told you I took the pills to avoid going into heat and getting pregnant when I was with Garrett.”

“Yeah.” His fingers caressed hers.

“He got angry when I didn’t go into heat. I never wanted to be with him. I couldn’t stand him touching me and the thought of…” She closed her eyes. “You know how I get. I couldn’t stomach knowing I’d…” She stopped talking, unable to say it to the man she loved.

“Shit.” He sounded unhappy. “You’d have accepted him if you were in heat. Welcomed his touch.”

She nodded.

“Look at me, hon.”

Her eyes opened and she met his gaze.

“It’s the bad part of being a shifter. When nature calls, she’s one mean bitch in that regard.”

Tears slipped out though she tried to hold them back. “I would have begged to be touched if the heat got hold of me and I hated him. The thought of being that vulnerable and needy around him sickened me.”

“Fuck.” He was pissed but controlled his temper. “What did you do?”

“I took the pills but then he got angry when I never went into heat and he injected me with drugs, trying to force it.”

A snarl tore from Brand. “He drugged you to make you want him?”

“He threatened me with it first so I was able to plan ahead and avoid him forcing me into heat. I took the pills every day, Brand. I never knew when he’d come after me with those injections. The pills counteracted the drugs as long as they were in my system. They weren’t designed to be taken every day the way I was popping them. After two years I no longer even felt the heat coming on. There were no urges at all. They also suppressed my appetite so I started losing weight. That was an added bonus because I wasn’t attractive to him anymore.”

He lowered his head and brushed a kiss on her forehead. “I understand. I’m so sorry you had to do that.”

“It’s not your fault.”

He pulled back and surprised her when he smiled. It reached his eyes. “I don’t need to drug you to make you want me.”

“No, you don’t.” She was relieved he wasn’t punching walls or snarling. “I love you.”

“I love you too, hon.” His humor faded. “I’m still going to kill that son of a bitch the first chance I get.”

“Okay. Just don’t risk your life to take his. I couldn’t stand to lose you.”

“It’s not ever happening. You’re stuck with me.” He winked.

She laughed. “Good.”

“Speaking of us, do you want to go another round or do you want to eat first? I could fuck you all d—”

A knock sounded on the door.

“Go away!” Brand yelled.

“Um, you’re needed downstairs,” Braden called out. “I heard you two going at it. Don’t I get points for waiting until you were done? Anton said to get you pronto. The pride has been spotted in town and they are headed this way.”

“Fuck!”

Fear gripped Charma as she stared up into Brand’s handsome face. He could get hurt. She could have found him again only to lose him. They stared at each other.

“Did you hear me? Are you coming? I mean, going downstairs? I know you just came. My ears are still ringing from that howl and I was two floors below, man.”

“Go away, Braden. I’ll be there soon.”

“Okay.”

His footsteps faded down the stairs. Brand gently tugged to get her to let go of his hands but she refused.

“I’m needed, Charma.”

“Swear you’ll come back to me.”

“Nobody is going to stop me from returning to this bed really soon. I have too much to live for.”

She let go but it was a tough thing to do.

He paused before he pulled away. “You stay up here. Lock the door and barricade it. I doubt they’ll get inside the house but… There’s a shotgun under the bed with a box of shells. Use it if you come under attack.”

“I will.”

He inhaled. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to let anyone hurt you.”

“The fear you smell isn’t for me.”

A smile softened his mouth. “I’m going to kick their asses. No worries.”

She sat up to watch him dress. “Go for their faces.”

He glanced at her before pulling his shirt over his head. “Why?”

“Pride males are very vain and conceited.”

“Seriously?”

She hesitated. “Yes, they really care about their appearances. Sometimes it’s the only thing they have going for them. You claw up their faces and they’ll freak out.”

“Scars are sexy.” He winked.

“I think so but they don’t. Just be careful.”

“I’ll be back soon.”

He left and she slid off the bed to rush toward the door. He waited on the other side until she locked it. A smile curved her lips. “I’ll barricade it now. Go. Your family is expecting you.”