Joseph's POV
I had extended the invitation for Dorothy to retrieve her towel, secretly hoping she might take me up on more than just that offer. Deep down, I knew better than to expect it. My mate possessed none of the typical behaviors of women who threw themselves at Alphas. If anything, Dorothy represented the complete opposite, more inclined to flee from my Alpha presence than embrace it. While I would never refuse her advances should she offer them, part of me appreciated her restraint. Exhaustion weighed heavily on my shoulders, and when I mentioned sleeping upon our return, I meant exactly that.
I observed her eyes widen dramatically when I announced we would be sharing my sleeping quarters. The declaration wasn't negotiable. Beyond my desire for my mate, I understood that her proximity would accelerate my healing process, and rapid recovery remained essential.
