Page 14 of Owning His Mate

I understand that you need space, and I’m willing to give it to you for a short time, but Apryle, I’m not going to deny our bond forever. I want you at my side. You’re mine to take care of and to protect.

The way he growls that last line sends a shiver racing down my spine. So very few people in my life have ever wanted to protect me that even the mere notion of it is foreign.

Why?

I sense his confusion before he asks,Why, what?

Why do you want to take care of me?

I don’t want to ask it, and I’m terrified of his response, but I still do. Most of the people in my past wanted to control me or use me. Others only felt the need to hurt me.

You know why.

Because you think you own me now?I ask this question with more than a hint of sarcasm.

I do.

My heart sinks at his words. This isn’t because he wants me or cares about me. Kye is just like every other person I have dealt with over the years.

And that’s the problem, Kye.

As soon as I say this, I drop my walls around my mind, protecting myself from him, and the only thing I feel is relief at the silence that greets me.

Chapter 4

Apryle

Iwake in the dark, sweat running down the back of my neck and the scream poised on the tip of my tongue. Swallowing it back, my throat aching as if I’ve chewed glass, I try to breathe through the encroaching panic.

I’m safe.I’m safe.

Am I, though?

I try to reach out to my wolf, craving her presence, but there’s nothing there. I’m alone, as always.Why does that hurt so much more than usual?

Apryle?Are you okay?

I jackknifeup in the bed, my heart bouncing around in my chest. I forgot about Kyson and his new residence inside my brain.

Kye. Even his name is sexy.

Apryle,I know you can hear me. Are you hurt? Do you need me? I felt your fear through our bond.

Why doeshe have to sound so concerned, and why does it make me feel warm that he does?

It’s just the bond making him this way. It’s not real.He doesn’t give a crap about me, other than his need to control me and keep me like a pet.

I rub at my suddenly aching temple. My life is complicated enough without this. We’re in the middle of a fucking war, and every day is a fight for survival. I don’t need this on top of all of that.

Areyou going to keep giving me the silent treatment?

Oh yeah,there’s that irritation bleeding through his concern for me.

I ignore this too as I throw back the covers and sit on the edge of the mattress in the dark. Shoving him out of my mind would be the best option, but mating bonds aren’t like pack ones. There’s no muting them. As much as it pains me to admit it, there’s also a part of me that is comforted by his presence. I’ve been alone for a long time.

Apryle,I’m two seconds away from breaking into your building.

The last thingI want is him in my bedroom, or in my personal space at all. I’d been like a dog in heat the last time he’d touched me. I can’t risk that again.

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