Page 72 of Mate Me

Keeping my voice in a low tone, I tried to make him understand. “His wolf can be trouble. Maybe it would be good for him to stick around a little while?—”

“Out of the question.”

“Caius,” I said.

“Reagan,” he responded, his gaze dropping from Ben to me as I came to stand before him.

“I’m not going to fuck him, Jesus Christ. He tried to mark me without my consent. He also stopped when I shoved him away. His wolf may have been riding him, that’s true, but any trust we once had is gone. That doesn’t change that I feel bad for him, just like I wouldanyonethat struggled.”

Caius stared at me, doing that thing he did with silence, filling it with tension that made me feel things I shouldn’t feel.

“It is damn near impossible for you not to help others, even if they’ve harmed you,” he grumbled.

“I’m a guardian,” I shot back. “Consider that to be in your favor too.”

Caius’s brows lowered, his nostrils flaring with a harsh exhale. It was a low blow, but I was angry at his comment. He made it sound like a bad thing. Yes, I cared about others. Yes, Ben fucked up royally. He was also battling a wolf that was desperately trying to take over. Without help, he would lose. I’d seen it before. He didn’t deserve that.

“Your Majesty, if I may,” Legion said, making his presence known. I looked from Caius to the man at his side. Just past him, Abyssian stood with his arms crossed over his chest. The picture of every charming bad boy while he leaned against the stone wall.

“What?” Caius said sharply, not taking his eyes off me.

“I have experience with boys acting out. He could join my latest batch of recruits. If anyone can tame his wolf, it’s me.”

He looked past me then, to my ex. “Interesting proposal.”

“Recruits?” Ben asked, wary as he should have been.

“In the army,” Legion said. “We take boysand make men out of them.”

“Or women,” Styx scoffed.

“Or women,” Legion said with a smirk. “That said, I’d bet good money on it that any woman in my ranks could take you. You’re safer starting with the men. Less bloodthirsty.”

I turned around to look at Ben. His face was ashen, but his eyes were thoughtful. Considering.

“Would that be something you’re interested in?” I asked.

“Would I make it out alive?”

Everyone that was from Tartarus laughed like assholes.

“Seriously, y’all?” I muttered. “That’s a legitimate question.”

“You won’t die, kid, but you might wish you had.” I rolled my eyes at Caius.

“You’re not helping things.”

“Good,” he responded. “I wasn’t trying to.”

Ben swallowed; no small amount of fear wafting off him. I could smell it, even from a few yards away. “And you’ll help me tame my wolf?”

I glanced back to see Legion nod once. “You have my word. If you make it through basic, you’ll be a new man—and your wolf will fall in line.”

“All right, I’ll do it.”

“Really?” I whipped around, and Ben approached slowly. He kept several feet of distance between us.

“Funny thing. I came here to save you, and you end up saving me.” He smiled sadly. “I really am sorry. I don’t deserve anything you’ve given me, but I’m thankful for it.”

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