Page 5 of Betrayed Kidnapped Mate

We’re mates.

Of course we are.

Then, my eyes track to the side, and I see a little version of Rosa standing just behind her, peeking around her back to look at me. I’m stunned.

“Bigby?” Olivia asks, her voice disbelieving. “What the hell are you doing here?”

When I look at her, I can see that not only does she remember me from when Rosa and I were dating, but she hates my guts. I want to tell her that it’s not what she thinks—that I left Rosa to protect her. I want to ask about the little girl staring at me with bright eyes, her hand fisted in Rosa’s shirt.

But there’s no time.

“Come on,” I say, hearing how rough my voice is. Here’s one thing about me—I know I’m huge. I know the effect that it has on people, especially women. Usually, I try to do everything I can to communicate that I’m not a threat to people smaller than me. I keep my cat; I even picked up knitting right around when Percy was born. It makes people laugh, but it also softens my image.

I’m very well aware that right now, standing in the doorway, demanding that they come with me, I look like the fucking Terminator. My eyes flick to the little girl, expecting her to cry, or show some sort of fear, but she’s just staring at me, a tiny little wrinkle on her tiny little forehead.

My body reacts to her, a protectiveness I’ve never felt before in my life suddenly coursing through my body. I look to Rosa, the knowledge as firm in my mind as any fact—this girl belongs to me.

“No way in hell,” Rosa says, and I blink, rearing back. She steps forward, and the little girl comes with her like they’re on the same leash. “Get out of here, Bigby.”

“I was contacted by your mother,” I say, clearing my throat. This gives Rosa pause, her mouth opening slightly.

“I don’t believe you,” she spits, tightening her mouth and pushing the little girl further behind her back.

“Then quiet pools whisper / Private childhood secrets,” I say, reciting the phrase given to me as a code by the contact. A flash of grief and dread moves over Rosa’s face, her lips turning down like she might burst into tears. My body twitches, urging me to go to her, but I’m afraid of what she might do if I move a muscle.

“Rosa,” Olivia says, cutting her eyes toward Rosa. “Is that the same poem?”

“It doesn’t matter,” Rosa says, shaking her head. “I don’t care what he knows about my mother. We’re not going anywhere with him.”

“I’m only under scent-cover for so long,” I say, my hackles rising at the thought of seeing Amon again. Of what Amon might do if he gets his hands on Rosa and the girl. “I’m with a special ops team based out of the Midwest. Our luna runs a program that offers protection to shifter women and children on the run from abusive mates or alphas.”

The idea of an abusive mate is impossible to consider—but sometimes, the mating bond can be cruel. Though Aris has changed his ways, I think of how he once treated Linnea. Sometimes, loving someone can turn to abusive behavior before you have a chance to control it.

“Rosa,” Olivia appeals. “Please, think of Kaila. We just have to get out of here. We have to keep her safe.”

Kaila. Her name is Kaila.

At this, the little girl finally does start crying.

“Mom,” she says, her voice wavering. She’s taking deep breaths, like she wants to control it but can’t. “I’m scared.”

“I know, baby,” Rosa says, narrowing her eyes at Olivia. Something silent seems to pass between them.

“Please,” Olivia says, raising her clasped hands in front of her like she’s praying to Rosa. “Please, Rosie. I know you don’t like him. Let’s just go with him for now, and then we can figure something else out later.”

“I don’t trust him, Ol,” Rosa hisses, and I wince at the venom in her voice. She doesn’t even glance my way as she continues, “He’s abandoned us once. He’ll do it again.”

I’m about to appeal to Rosa as well, try to start, and apologize for my choices when I smell it, just faintly, riding on the wind in our direction.

Amon.

“Hold your breath,” I say to Olivia, and then to Rosa, “I’m sorry.”

“What?” she says, her eyes going wide as she tries to turn, but it’s too late. I step into the house, raise the device to my lips, and blow a cloud of powder over Rosa and Kaila.

“Help me,” I say to Olivia, who, surprisingly, followed my instructions and held her breath. I move to catch Rosa, who manages to give me one last glare as she falls into my arms, and Olivia grabs Kaila, grunting under her weight.

Together, we hurry to the Jeep. Olivia takes Rosa and Kaila's backpacks off and throws them into the back while I go back inside for her suitcase. A second later, I slam the door to the back hatch and jump into the driver’s seat. Olivia is already sitting in the passenger’s seat, her seatbelt buckled.

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