Page 6 of His Protective Bear

He went on as if I hadn’t spoken. “But there are some things you should know, and I’m only telling you this because I think it’ll help you figure some things out concerning my son, and maybe it’ll help you figure out things with Sage.” I nodded. I probably looked like a dog begging for scraps. I would take whatever help I could get. “Sage has no sense of smell,” Colin said simply but never took his eyes off me. “They diagnosed him when he was young with anosmia.”

“Okay,” I acknowledged. That didn’t make me want Sage any less, but it explained certain things. And fuck, relief hit me like a ton of bricks. I actually had to catch my breath. My bear and I… I’d done my best to ignore the rejection, but it was nice to know he actually hadn’t rejected me. He hadn’t been ignoring me all this time.

“He’s had a hard time because of it. It hasn’t been easy for him at all.” Colin cleared his throat, and I could see that he was emotional. The thought of my mate suffering in any way made me want to hunt down those involved and teach them a lesson. “I won’t say any more because it’s not my place. You’ll need to learn the rest from Sage.” He blew out a breath, “Honestly, I’ve already said too much.”

I nodded, “Thank you, but it’s okay. That’s more than enough.” Colin was right. It wasn’t his place. I wanted to learn everything about my mate directly from him.

Colin turned and went over to the coffeepot, “How about we have some coffee and muffins while I get to know my future son-in-law?” he glanced over his shoulder and shot me a wink.

I grinned, “I would love that.”

Colin poured me coffee and then handed me two small plates. I grabbed two muffins and put them on the plates before following him to the front room.

I took a seat, and Colin said, “So, Hunter, tell me about yourself.”

“What would you like to know?” I asked.

We both heard the car at the same time, but Colin didn’t seem concerned. I knew it was Sage the moment the car door closed. I could feel his presence like opposing magnets being drawn to each other.

The moment he walked through the door and our eyes met, his flashed fire. He looked between his dad and me, and I saw his face fall.

“How could you?” His voice was a whisper, but the hurt in there cut me deeply. “Why would you tell him? I can’t believe you would do something like that, dad.” His voice cracked, and I wanted to pull him into my arms and comfort him.

I stood up, but he didn’t even look my way. “It’s not his fault,” I said, “I kind of dragged the information out of him. Please don’t blame him.”

He didn’t acknowledge my words or look in my direction, “You shouldn’t be here. What are you even doing here?” He snapped at me. “I told you everything was fine. Why can’t you mind your own business?”

“I just came to—”

Sage put his hand up, “I don’t care why you’re here. I told you I was fine yesterday. You had to come to report me to father like I’m some child. Wasn’t it bad enough you talked down to me?”

“I just wanted to talk to you,” I tried again.

“Well, I don’t want to speak to you, and I haven’t committed any crimes since the last time I checked, Sherriff. I don’t have to talk to you. I don’t know what head games you’re trying to play, but they won’t work. Don’t think I haven’t noticed you showing up at the diner all the time, ordering pies and things you can get at your brother’s cafe. Whatever trick or joke or,” I growled, “whatever this is. It won’t work. I’m not interested, so just leave me alone already.”

He stormed away, and I heard angry footsteps stomping up the stairs. I moved to go after him, but Colin held my arm, stopping me, “I think maybe give him a moment to calm down, I’ll talk to his papa, and both of us will speak to him.”

I looked towards the stairs where he’d disappeared to. Gods, I wanted to follow him so badly. My mate didn’t realize how much he’d revealed. Now I just needed to show him I was nothing like the asshole that made him feel that way.

I sighed, “Just—” I didn’t even know what I wanted to say.

Colin patted my arm, “My son is lucky to have you, but you’ll have to be patient with him. He’s worth it.”

I shook my head, “I’m the lucky one.” And, of course, he was worth it.

My heart lit up that Sage had noticed me. He may not have realized it, but he’d noticed my presence. That was a good thing, right?

Chapter 3

Sage

Gods, it was good to be home. I stifled yet another yawn as I drove toward the house. I wasn’t supposed to go into the diner today, but my cousin Simon and his husband were apparently trying for baby number three, according to the text he sent me asking to cover his morning shift.

Now I was home, and all I wanted to do was crawl back into bed. I’d barely gotten any sleep last night… or more like this morning.

And it wasn’t just because I’d got home late. A certain alpha… I shook my head, refusing to think about that.

I sighed. Yeah, I wasn’t even going to go there. I parked outside and yawned again, making my eyes water. My bed and some sleep would clear all thoughts of him. I noticed the car sitting in front of the house, but it wasn’t one I recognized, so I shrugged it off and parked where I usually did.

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