Page 11 of Simon's Runaway Mate

“I ate earlier. Which is a good thing. I’m too angry right now.”

“Why?” I asked, munching on a piece of bacon. “Madison and her friend said some rude things. It’s no reason to get bent out of shape. I’m here. With you.” I shrugged. “I might decide to stay.”

He snorted. “You’ll stay. And for the record, I’m fucking thrilled to find my mate. I knew the moment I heard your voice over the phone. And my heart fucking stopped when I walked into that warehouse and saw Mullins throwing you aside as if you were without worth. Not when you mean everything to me.”

“Simon.” I shook my head, unsure what to say. How could he feel that way about me? He didn’t even know me.

“There’s nothing weak or frail about you. I know you followed your brother into a situation you weren’t completely sure of because you didn’t want him going in alone. That tells me you’re brave and loyal. From what Bas heard from your brother, you antagonized Mullins even as he threatened you while you tried to give your brother an opening. And you contacted me.” He laughed. “Demanded I get my ass in gear and gather the troops to rescue Hannibal and his mate.”

“The woman you’re in love with,” I reminded him.

“Not even close. I admire Belinda James. She’s special. Different. And her difference makes other people nervous. Wary. She needed someone to look out for her. To make her seem approachable. To…humanize her for lack of a better word. She’s an amazing woman. Your brother’s very lucky. You’re going to love her, Cecilia. Like I do. Like family. I’ve never been in love with her. There’s only one woman for me.”

“You really believe that?”

“I know it. Give me time, and I’ll prove it to you. Ask me anything.”

“I asked before if you were born into the James Pack, and you scoffed. I take it that means you joined later? How? Why? Were you part of another pack before?” I wanted to know everything.

“I was actually raised by a human. She found me, took me in, and raised me as her own. Had no clue what I was. We both found out the first time I shifted. Scared us both. She took it all in stride and tried to help me find someone like me. She was my mother in every sense of the word, and I loved her.”

Loved. I noted the word and the sadness that touched his gaze. “She’s gone?”

“Cancer. Wolves don’t get cancer. I’d have given anything to take that pain from her.”

I reached out and took his hand. “I’m sorry, Simon. I never really had the opportunity to know my mother, but I know how I’d feel if I lost my dad.”

“Your mom died when you were young?” Simon asked.

“No idea. She left after I was born. Walked out one day, saying she was going to the grocery store and never came back. It was just me and Dad until he met Leslie. Then I got an amazing stepmom and a brother.”

“I can’t wait to meet them.”

“How did you meet the James Pack?”

“Ran into Bas and Belinda at a bar. Some wolf with a death wish tried to get the jump on Bas while he was engaged with a couple others who were feeling their Wheaties. I took death wish out while Bas took care of the two he was engaged with. Belinda decided I was the reason they were there.”

“How were you the reason they were there? Had you met them before?”

“Remember when I said Belinda was different?”

I nodded.

“She knows things. Before they happen. As they happen. She goes into these trances where she has…visions. It’s terrifying to witness.”

“I’m sure it’s more terrifying for her.” Lord, I couldn’t imagine. Hannibal’s mate. And from what Simon hadn’t said, and what Madison and her friend had said about Hannibal taking Belinda away, I understood. The rest of the pack feared her because they didn’t understand her. I decided then and there that Belinda James and I were going to be best friends. After all, she was going to be my sister.

“Apparently, she told Bas they needed to be in that bar that evening. When I stepped in, she nodded as if she’d already seen it play out. They accepted me without question.”

“They became your family.”

“And yours now. Your brother is mated to the alpha’s only sister. You’re mated to me. Our inner circle is very close. You’re a part of that now. A part of us.”

“Even though I’m human?” Madison’s words made me wonder how many others would look down on me for that. Would they look down on Simon? I couldn’t let that happen.

“Being human has no bearing on anything.” Growls spilled from Simon as he spoke, and I could tell he was really worked up over that. We moved at the same time. He scooped me up when I stood then sat back down with me cradled in his lap. “Believe me, baby. The only thing that will matter to them is that you’re my mate.”

I felt needy in that moment, and I hated it. Part of me wanted to ask if he was sure they’d accept me, because the fear of being shunned was a crushing weight on my chest. My dad had done his best to make up for not having a mom in my life, but there were some things a parent couldn’t take care of. No matter how much they wanted to.

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