Page 38 of The Runaway Mate

“You want breakfast? I can make bacon and waffles.”

“That sounds yummy.” She smiled at me, and my heart beat faster. Yes, I was going to make sure she had everything she wanted.

I rolled off the bed and pulled on some shorts. “Great, we’ll have breakfast together, then I’ll help you move your stuff over here.”

Mai froze, her eyes going wide. “What do you mean, move my stuff?”

“You’ve got clothes, don’t you? Plus, your work things. I know you don’t have much, but I can buy you everything to replace what you left behind.”

Mai sat up in bed, her tone serious. “Ryan, what are you talking about? I’m not moving in here. Last night was amazing. Like mind-blowingly awesome amazing, but it doesn’t change anything.”

I frowned at her. Was she serious?

“Mai, we’re fated mates.” I held up one finger. “We belong together. I know we have a lot to work out, but we can do that much easier with you living here.” I held up a second finger. “Mason and Sam are tracking Seth. He’s disappeared, probably heading here to find you. You need to be somewhere safe.” I flicked up a third finger. “Jem and Hayley are out of that house more than they’re in it. You need to be here. Not only do we have a safe room downstairs, but we can easily arrange it so that one of us is always here with you.”

I watched as a mix of emotions crossed her face. A detached part of me was enjoying it, wondering which one she was going to settle on.

“You!” Mai sprung out of bed and started hunting for her clothes. “You absolute prick!”

“Mai—”

“How did you find out about Seth? I sure as hell didn’t tell you!”

I decided honesty was the way to go here. “Derek hacked your phone and your laptop.”

She paused with only one leg in her panties, her face full of anger. “He… you… he… Oh, my Goddess! I knew coming back was a mistake!”

I felt like she’d slapped me. Her coming back had been the best thing that had happened to me in my entire life.

“Mai—”

“How dare you, Ryan Shaw! These are my private things. You don’t get to hack them! If I wanted you to know, I would have told you.”

“Yeah? Well, I’m trying to keep you safe. And it would be a hell of a lot easier if you did tell me these things. I need to know everything, Mai, so I can assess the risks and take appropriate measures.” I took a step toward her, and she took a step back. The air was full of her scent, both angry and embarrassed.

Why was she embarrassed?

“I keep me safe. Not you, Ryan. If I wanted your help, I would have asked for it.”

“You don’t need to be embarrassed about this, Mai. This is what we do. We protect each other.”

“I’m not embarrassed. I’m angry!” she lied, finally pulling her panties on. “You can’t just invade my privacy like that!”

“I’m not losing you again, Mai,” I insisted, watching her as she stormed around the room, grabbing her things. “I’m not going to take any chances.”

“I can take care of myself,” she snapped back. “I’ve been doing it for four years, and I don’t need you, or anyone else, to hold my hand.”

“I’m not trying to hold your hand,” I said, trying to keep my voice level. “I’m trying to keep you alive.”

Mai stopped and looked at me, her eyes sparking with anger. “I am not some helpless damsel in distress, Ryan. I’m a werewolf, just like you. And I deserve to be treated like an equal. You can’t make these decisions for me.”

“I’m trying to keep you safe.”

“That’s not your job!”

“Mai—”

“No, Ryan. I make my own choices. And right now, I’m choosing to leave.”

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