Page 70 of Owning His Mate

Callum holds his palms up defensively. “I’m not doing anything.”

I risk crossing the carpet to Kye, wrapping my arms around him from behind. I can feel the tension vibrating through every muscle in his body, and though it seems to lessen at my touch, it doesn’t completely vanish. “Hey, big guy. I’m gonna need you to take a breath for me.”

He snarls, but he does release his hold on Callum, who stumbles back, spluttering as he grips his neck.

“Does someone want to tell me what is going on?”

Beck watches warily but doesn’t make any sudden movements. I don’t blame him for that. Kye is riled, and an angry vargr wolf is a dangerous thing.

“This asshole wants to test yours and Savannah’s blood.”

“To see if we are related to the witches who trapped Revna?” I hazard a guess.

“Her followers believe the spell was blood magic and only someone with that same bloodline can undo it,” Beck explains.

Kye lunges in his direction, and I wrap my arms around him before he can hurt anyone. It is a testament to the fact that he doesn’t want to hurt me when he instantly stops struggling. “I know you want to murder him, but he is on our side, Kye,” I remind him.

It takes a moment for me to feel sure enough to release my hold, and when I do, I move around the front of him, wrapping my arms around him and pressing my face against his chest.Instinctively, he pulls me against him, holding me tight as if he is scared to let go. I have never felt safe or secure in my entire life, but in his arms I am both.

“What would you even test? It’s not like we know what they’re looking for.”

“Similarities between yours and Savannah’s blood, I guess.”

I glance at the unconscious female, unsure how she has caused so many problems. “What happens if they free Revna?”

The silence that engulfs the room does not help my anxiety. “Hopefully she and the Order battle it out until they’re all dead.” Sawyer’s joke falls flat.

Callum glances at Beck. “Honestly, I don’t know.”

“Wouldn’t her coming back be a good thing for us?” Halle asks. “It seems like she’d be on our side.”

“It might level the playing field,” Roux agrees. “Right now, we’re being slapped from all angles.”

“That’s assuming she is on our side,” Sawyer counters. “Mama Revna’s going to be furious. She’s had thousands of years to stew on her anger.”

“Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned,” Halle mutters.

“So the question is—what do we do?” Dove asks.

“And more importantly,” Roux adds, “Whose side are we on?”

Chapter 17

Kye

Ican feel my mate’s tension vibrating through our bond. Every new piece of information we get leads us down a darker road than the one we were already on.

I’m terrified of where we’re going to end up.

Everyone wants a piece of us, and I’m tired of being their fucking chew toy.

I crawl into bed with Savannah between us and stare at the dark ceiling until they both fall asleep. My mind is on overtime, running over everything obsessively. How can I keep them safe? How can I fix the life we’re doomed to have?

Restless, I slip out of the covers, careful not to rock the bed too much, and head downstairs.

The others left hours ago, though their scents linger faintly in the air.

As I step outside, I lock the door behind me, making sure they are safe before I duck my head and set off at a fast pace. I want to do this quickly so I can get back to Apryle before she wakes.

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