Page 23 of Met Your Mate

Freya's warm but not feverish and my sense of smell might not be as heightened as an alpha’s, but I can tell she really did make it through her heat.

Unfortunately, and I don't want to toot my own horn, but she was missing one of her mates. I think that's what's wrong now. My omega needs her scent matched beta to truly soothe her frantic need to have her pack close. For once.

"Okay, sweet girl," I murmur, trailing my thumb across her cheek. “Let's get you cleaned up." I might be crazy, but I swear her cheeks pinken just a little with each tickle of my finger.

Leaving her for even a moment hurts like a motherfucker, but I quickly drag the bucket of water and the clean rags over to her. I want to throw a fit at the chains and cuffs rubbing her skin raw as I assess her for injuries, but Freya needs me to stay calm. I bite my tongue when I dip the first rag into the cold water.

These people are going above and beyond their villain criteria, I swear.

It's impossible to avoid looking at her intimate parts as I wipe away days of sweat, slick and cum from her body, but my cock doesn't stir. This girl, this woman, this warrior is my friend above all else. She's not my omega to ogle as I see fit right now, she's my sweet mate who needs the loving, respectful touch of her pack member.

Freya is beautiful and incredibly alluring, but at this moment, all I want to do is strip out of all of my clothes and cover her reddening skin.

The rags provided are not soft whatsoever, but they do the job. With her upper and middle part of her body clean, I swipe down her legs quick and notice some dirt between her toes. Humming to myself, I dip the rag between each of the dainty little things and can't help the smile on my face.

"You know, these are the cutest things I've ever seen," I say, needing to fill the silence. "I've never cleaned Eli's feet this thoroughly before. Just a warning, don't look too close at his toes. Those big piggies would make you cry all the way home."

An unexpected puff of air rushes from Freya, shocking me shitless. My attention snaps from her toes to the small smile gracing her glorious fucking lips.

"Freya?" I breathe, astounded.

"That—" she coughs, her eyes still closed. "That was a good one, Case."

Oh my god, she's speaking to me.

Clearing my throat of the overwhelming amount of emotion that's trying to suffocate me, I pull a smirk out of my ass and tease, "I bet Luke's are worse. Cleat feet." I fake shudder and continue cleaning her toes.

Another huff of laughter from her makes my eyes water. It's working, she's coming back to me.

"Well, your adorable piggies are fresh now, baby girl. Let’s get you dressed," I say, reaching for her arms to pull her up.

Freya groans but doesn't fight me as I pull her into a seated position. Shuffling around her a bit without letting go, I grab my sweatshirt from behind her and pop her head through the top.

Finally, her bright blue eyes flutter open, but my excitement is shot to shit when she frowns. "I don't have clothes, though."

"Well now you do," I reply happily, but when I lift her right arm to put it through the sleeves, I realize my mistake. I can't get her arms in the shirt because she’s chained to the fucking wall!

I feel myself vibrating with anger and helplessness. I can't even put a goddamn shirt on my mate! Snatching my boxers from behind her as well, a growl builds in my throat when I also realize I can't put these on her either.

Swallowing repeatedly so as not to scare my sweet girl, I drop the underwear and gently pluck my shirt off her head. Instead of covering her like I need to, I tie the long sleeves behind her back so at least her front and lap are covered.

"Casey," she whispers sadly, making me go on high alert.

Without thought, her chin is in my grip and I'm searching her face for whatever has her upset. Sparkly blue eyes are filling with tears, and I think this might be the moment I actually freak out.

Freya's lip wobbles. "Thank you," she sobs, collapsing against me. "I-I didn't think?—"

"Shh," I coo, tears dropping from my lashes as I wrap her in my arms. I hate thinking it, but she's so damn frail, I worry I'll break her if I squeeze too hard.

We sit like that for a while as she babbles incoherent words into my neck and creates her own little pool of tears in my collarbone. My own tears come and go, but I try to stay strong for her. I can guess she's thanking me for taking care of her, but I hate she feels like she has to thank me.

I did the bare minimum.

My bones begin to ache and I'm almost certain Freya isn't comfortable anymore, either. It takes some shuffling, but my back finally rests against the freezing wall and my omega's head is resting in my lap.

If this were any other situation, I would be fucking preening at the fact that she's snuggling my boxer briefs like they are her most prized possession, but I don't. I'm just happy she's finding comfort in the softness of the fabric and my scent clinging to it.

I'm humming again and slowly working my way through the tangles of her poor hair. I have so many questions and things I want to say to her, but I keep them to myself. Freya needs to heal and for me to just be here for her.

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