Page 41 of Owning His Mate

“It’s just the drugs.” I wave his concern off even as everything rolls around me. Fuck. We need to get out of here. I don’t know was ‘coming’ for us, but I don’t want to stick around and find out. “I promised her I’d free her, Kye.”

The male I once pushed away, who I thought only wanted to use me for his own gain, looks at Savannah and then back at me. The way his eyes soften makes my belly dip. “Can’t have you break that promise, can I? Put her on my knee.”

Kye, the most antisocial, growly wolf I’ve ever met, wants to let a little girl sit on his knee? He isn’t keen on interaction—I’ve seen the way he keeps to himself—but he’s doing everything he can so I can keep my word to a frightened pup.

“Are you sure?”

“All that matters is getting out of here, Apryle. I don’t care how we do it. I’d rather you were in this chair and I was pushing us out of here, but we work with what we have.”

I don’t mention the fact that we don’t know where we are or if there are more hunters waiting for us. Even if we escape the building, we may not get any further.

One problem at a time,Apryle,Kye says in my head.

His reassurance soothesme in a way only he has ever been able to. I gesture to Savannah to come, but she’s already moving, and she scrambles into Kye’s lap as if she has known him for years.

“Let’s go,” he mutters.

It’s harder to push the two of them together, but we move faster without Savannah trailing behind me. The adrenaline pumping through my body is helping to flush the drug from my blood. If I could access my magic, I could remove its side effects instantly, but the bracelets around my wrists are heavy enough to remind me why that would be a bad idea.

I slow as we approach a set of double doors. They are solid, offering no glimpse of the danger that may lie beyond them. Nervous energy crackles through me, urging caution as I move closer.

Tension rolls off Kye too, both of us preparing for the fight that may be on the other side. Despite thinking about those things, it still catches me off guard when the doors suddenly swing open.

Barrels of semi-automatic weapons are pointed in our direction. I can see faces hidden beneath ski masks and bodies encased in all black clothes. It’s a menacing sight, and my pulse races frantically in my throat as I back up the wheelchair a few steps.

I swallow the terror that threatens to erupt out of me. Kye is in no position to fight, and I’m not strong enough to take on this many enemies.

Despite that, I bare my teeth, and I ready myself to protect my mate, but Kye reaches behind to grab my arm.

“Wait.”

One figure steps forward and tears his ski mask off. My knees almost give out as I stare into Callum’s piercing eyes. Fear dulled my senses because I’m now suddenly flooded with familiar scents of the others who left the compound with us. When theyremove their masks, I’m staring into the faces of the friends I thought had been captured too.

The tightness in my chest eases, leaving me able to breathe for the first time since we were taken.

“I have never been so glad to see you guys,” I say, pushing the wheelchair toward them.

Beck roams his gaze over my body, as if checking every inch of me, only stopping when Kye gives him a threatening growl.

Possessive asshole.

I smile to myself, refusing to show how much I like that he is. That’s also a new development. Before Kye and I mated, that show of possessiveness would’ve pissed me off.

“Sorry it took us so long to get to you. It wasn’t easy to track where they brought you.” Callum’s hand cups the side of my face like a father greeting his child. It stuns me until I see the genuine fear dancing behind his eyes. He was worried about us. “Are you both okay?”

“Kye’s been shot and I’ve been drugged, but we’re fine,” I answer.

His gaze moves to Savannah, who slides in behind me, clinging to my back.

“This is Savannah. Savannah, these are my friends. You don’t have to be scared of them. They’ll keep us safe.”

I don’t bother telling Callum she’s coming with us. There’s no argument there. I’m not going without her.

Callum’s brows knit together as he takes in her waif-like, dirty-haired figure, and I wonder who he’s killing in his mind.

“Let’s get out of here.”

The others surround us, their guns raised. The tau among them could use magic, but guns are more effective in these kinds of situations.

---