Page 28 of His Wild Mate

“Whatever,” I muttered as I retrieved hers and took it to the stove to cook my dinner once more.

When I glanced back, she was happily devouring my steak.

Despite my frustrations and anger, it made me feel really great to care for her. She was far too skinny and needed to eat more. I supposed it was okay that she stole my food, and I knew that if she wanted this one too, I'd give it to her.

I didn't even really know what my mate looked like yet, but I knew she already had me whipped and I would do absolutely anything for her.

“Do you want this one too?” I barked.

She hesitated just enough for me to know she did.

“How about we go halves on this one. I don't have another thawed right now.”

I cut my steak in half and passed part to her. Before she convinced me to change my mind and give it all to her, I devoured the other half along with a baked potato loaded with toppings, and a heaping helping of broccoli. Neither was assatisfying as the steak, but I wasn't going to go hungry. More importantly, neither was she.

Paige

Chapter 8

I watched him curiously as he did the dishes and then turned to stare at me. Frustration was rolling off him in waves. And I suspected he was angry at me over the house.

Why did he have to be so handsome?

I had never let myself truly look at a man before. They were dangerous and wanted things from me. There was no doubt in my mind that Emmett was a dangerous man, but I wasn't afraid of him. I couldn't even explain why.

He stood there staring at me and then scowled as he shook his head.

“I'm going to get ready for bed and call it a night. Sleep wherever you want.”

His voice was gruff, and it was clear he wasn't happy with me. I knew I should have shifted and talked to him, but I was so overwhelmed by everything that had happened since coming here that I was still processing it all in my own way.

Seeing that I wasn't going to shift or follow him, he stomped off back to the bedroom. I waited until I heard the shower running before sneaking back into his room and hiding in the closet once more.

My whole body ached, needing relief. I whimpered then quickly tempered my desires.

It had always been bad. The needs within me were almost unbearable at times, but never once had I caved to them. Well, not really.

I'd learned years ago that I could at least take the edge of it off by touching myself or rubbing against things. It wasn'tideal, and I was always embarrassed by it, but sometimes it was just necessary.

This wasn't normal, so no one could really understand.

Being in heat sucked. It drove me to want things I really didn't want. And it made men crazy. If I had ever caved to give into my desires with a man, he would have consumed me. I wasn't even sure I would survive such an instance because of how crazy it always made them.

But Emmett was different. It wasn't that he was entirely immune to my scent. His behavior wasn't the same, though. I didn't know how else to describe it.

Mate, my wolf said.

That single word sent shivers down my spine.

I was thirteen when my parents tried to force me to take a mate. They were already tired of having to protect me each month. I understand that now. It was exhausting. But I was just a child, and the man was a friend of my father's. By my standards he was ancient at forty. It still disgusted me to think about it.

I was so young and vulnerable. I'd never been so scared in all my life.

They gave me to him, their own kid. I had no idea how a parent could do such a thing, or anyone for that matter.

Everyone in the Pack had turned away and pretended it wasn't happening. Somehow, I was the disgrace that embarrassed them.

He took me home that night. I had begged them not to go, but my parents pushed me into his arms and shut the door between us.

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