Page 36 of Beautiful Butterfly

Wyatt opened the blanket and curled his arms around Alister’s naked body then pulled him even closer, cocooning him in. “You’re trembling, butterfly. Tell me what you need from me because I have no clue how to help you past this.”

Tears burned behind Alister’s eyelids. He wasn’t sure if it was from relief or from what he’d just been through. As hard as he tried to hold them back, they began to slide free. His throat burned as he swallowed repeatedly. Wyatt sat up and pulled Alister into his arms, and seconds later, the dam broke.

Sobs racked his body.

“You survived because you’re so strong, baby.” Wyatt cradled Alister’s head and rocked him. “So fucking strong.”

The crying slowed, and Alister simply rested his head on his mate’s chest. Wyatt’s strong heartbeat calmed his panda, as did listening to his deep and soothing voice as Wyatt continued to croon to him.

“I thought my life was over,” Alister whispered. “You didn’t know where I was, so how could you save me? I worried you were dead because you’d lost so much blood.”

“I’m right here, sweetheart.” Wyatt ran his hand over Alister’s back, his strong warm palm giving Alister a sense of safety he never thought he’d feel again. “It was Paris who gave me the name. It was a town resident who flew us out to you and set up a meeting.”

The meeting Solomon said he had to attend.

“But I didn’t know it was Solomon who had you. I was going to get names of the guests at the auction and work from there.”

Alister listened as Wyatt told him about the restaurant and what Solomon said that gave him away. How he’d followed Solomon and how he’d gotten into the penthouse.

“I would have never stopped looking for you.” Wyatt rested his chin on Alister’s head.

“The meeting saved me.” Alister told Wyatt what Solomon threatened to do to him when he returned. His mate’s arms tightened, and his jaw flexed. “If he hadn’t gone to meet your friend…”

“I owe Ian a debt I’ll never be able to repay,” Wyatt murmured. “I owe Cannon for bringing him to our house.”

“What happened to the guards?”

“Cannon and Kijani happened to them.” He kissed the top of Alister’s head.

“Is that Deputy Tenshi’s first name?”

“Yes.” Wyatt continued to slowly rock him. “Sheriff Harper wanted to send the entire department to rescue you, but he knew Midnight Falls couldn’t be left with no police presence.”

Alister owed a debt of gratitude to a lot of people but most of all Paris. If his bestie hadn’t recalled Solomon being at the party, Alister would have never been found. Once again, Paris had saved him.

“We should get some sleep.” Alister yawned.

Wyatt lay down, his hold never breaking. Alister burrowed into him and let out a breath. Against insurmountable odds, his mate had found and rescued him.

Chapter Twelve

“I know you have more important things on your mind,” Morgan said over the phone. “I just wanted to let you know that Sam postponed the cookout in light of what happened.”

Wyatt and Alister had gotten back yesterday, but his mate insisted on seeing the town therapist right away. Luckily Dr. Kaslov fit Alister in. Wyatt was damn proud of his mate for realizing he needed help and being proactive in dealing with his trauma.

Despite wanting to help his mate, Wyatt was man enough to admit he had no idea how to give Alister what he needed.

People knew that Alister had been kidnapped, but no one knew the details except those who were there. But not even Cannon, Kijani, or Ian were aware of what Alister had suffered through.

That was no one’s business but Alister’s.

“Sam is important, Morgan. I know how much having his friends at his first cookout means to him.”

Wyatt leaned against the hood of his car, one arm folded over his chest, his ankles crossed. He was outside Dr. Kaslov’s office waiting on his mate.

“Thanks for acknowledging Sam’s feelings,” Morgan replied. “I gotta go since I’m on duty. Let me know if there’s anything you or Alister needs.”

“I will.” Wyatt hung up and drew in a deep breath. He was grateful as hell that Solomon hadn’t touched his mate in an intimate way. But if Alister had suffered that fate, Wyatt would still be there for him, would still love his butterfly to the depths of his soul.

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