Page 47 of Owning His Mate

“Well, that was hot,” Halle breathes the words, but I ignore her.

Apryle’s gaze is locked with mine, as if she can’t pull her eyes away, so I get the satisfaction of watching the heat climb up her throat and into her cheeks. My mate really is beautiful, and her lack of awareness about just how pretty she is makes her even more attractive to me.

“Bonding over our near-death experience doesn’t change anything between us,” she says, but the look in her eyes tells meshe’s lying. She called me her mate, and I can feel her soften toward me through our bond.

“If I hadn’t gone with you on that mission, Callum and the others would have come home to tell me my mate had been captured. How can I protect you if you won’t let me?”

“I don’t need your protection.”

“No, you don’t,” I agree. “You’re perfectly capable of taking care of yourself, Apryle, but I can’t stand by and watch while you get hurt. You’re asking me to be someone I’m not, and I can’t do that.”

Her bottom lip slides between her teeth. “Well… I wouldn’t want you to be someone you’re not.”

I need to be alone with her to work through her thoughts before this gets blown out of proportion. I glance at Roux. “Can you take Savannah to the mess hall? She needs feeding, bathing, and a clean change of clothes.”

I can tell Roux doesn’t want to leave me and Apryle alone, but surprisingly Halle agrees. “Absolutely we can. Kids love me.” She holds her hand out to Savannah, who looks at her as if she is a wild animal. “I’m pretty sure they have burgers and pizza today. Do you want some?”

Savannah’s eyes light up. I wonder how long it’s been since she last ate, but despite how hungry she must be the little girl still glances up at Apryle, as if asking permission. “It’s okay, sweetie. These guys are my friends, my coven. They’ll take care of you.”

Her gaze slides toward Roux and Halle, as if weighing them up. “We don’t bite,” Halle assures her.

Roux holds her hand out and I feel the surge of magic before a small white teddy appears in her palm. She offers it to Savannah who takes it after a moment and holds it to her chest. “Thank you.”

“Why don’t you think of a name for it while we grab food?” Roux suggests.

“Don’t let her eat too fast or too much,” Apryle says.

“We’ll take care of her,” Halle promises. “Do you want me to heal you before I go?” She directs this question to me.

I want them out of here so I can talk to my mate, but I’m also light-headed again. “Yes.”

She orders me to sit back on the couch and then hovers her hands over my stomach. I smell the magic, feel it swirling through my body. It’s like warm heat that spreads through every cell inside me, drawing the bad things out.

A flare of something goes through the bond and I lift my gaze to seek out Apryle. Her eyes are narrowed on Halle, her mouth pulled into a tight line.

It's jealousy I’m feeling from her.

Fuck, she’sjealousof her friend being close to me. I try not to smirk as Halle finishes her healing and when she withdraws, I feel cold as the magic leaves my body.

“You should be fine now.” Halle’s voice is laced with exhaustion.

“Thank you,” I say, my gaze seeking out Apryle. She was jealous, and that awakens something inside me. Her eyes lock to mine and for the first time since I found her there isn’t fear in hers. There’s something else, something… needy. “Tell Sawyer to leave the bolt cutters at the door.”

“You don’t want us to stick around?—”

“Please leave.” It takes all my strength not to snap the words.

“Oh, okay.” Halle grabs Roux’s arm. “Time to go. They’re going to… they need alone time.”

“You know where to find us if you need us,” Roux says.

As soon as the door clicks shut, I pounce into action. My hand wraps around Apryle’s nape as I crush my mouth to hers in a desperate, needy kiss. She melts into my touch, rolling hertongue over mine and the soft whimpers she makes spur me on, urging me to claim her fully. She has denied me for so long, and I’m desperate to have her. The way she responds tells me she feels the same.

I press her back onto the couch, coming down on top of her. My body covers her far smaller one, and I’m suddenly aware of how big I am compared to her. She seems so fragile beneath me, so breakable, and it scares me to think that I could have lost her today.

She also seems to have the same realization. Her hands press against my chest and I stop as her apprehension flashes through our bond.

“Can we just… take a breath?”

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