Page 17 of Matched into the Mob

He hesitated, his face streaked with rain water and tears. “Okay.”

While the rain would have diluted and dulled my scent, I was thankful for my dad’s hobbies and that I’d left the bag containing the eucalyptus oil in the back seat.

We reached the car and I got the oil out, spraying it liberally in the air, on the ground, and around Matt. I doused myself in it, as my scent was more potent. The rain might wash the eucalyptus fragrance away, but if so, it would probably do the same to our natural scents.

Matt’s violent shudders concerned me, thinking he was going into shock, which he probably was. With both of us in the car, Igot a blanket from the back seat and a towel from my full moon run bag, wrapping him in one and leaving the towel awkwardly on his lap.

“I’m going to do something kinda strange.”

“Kinda? Compared to what? You think the last ten minutes have been everyday occurrences?” He picked up the towel and stuttered, “I… I s-s-suspect your idea of strange and mine are very different.”

That I could guarantee.

“It’ll hurt a little, but it will keep you safe from Dane.”

“Like a forcefield?”

I grinned. It was the shifter version of a forcefield. “Yeah.” I’d apologize for the half-truth later. But I had to get Matt to close his eyes. Neither his mind nor his body could cope with witnessing my wolf’s teeth.

“Okay,” he hiccuped. His eyelashes, sprinkled with tears, closed, and I allowed my wolf to extend his teeth. If we’d been in bed, I’d have marked Matt’s chest or shoulder, but his palm would have to do.

He gasped as his skin tore, and I mopped up the blood with the towel before tossing it in the back and grabbing a clean one. Mating should be a joyous occasion where we kissed, cuddled, and discussed the future. But ours was done from fear. Instead of celebrating, I was mourning that lost shared experience.

And I’d settled my fate. Matt was my mate, but if he chose not to be with me, I’d be alone. An uncle to Lottie and Kendric, a brother, brother-in-law, son, and a great-nephew. But never a mate in anything but name. And I’d never be a dad.

“All done.”

He peered at the red swollen bite mark on his hand. “I can’t wait to hear the explanation for this.”

I checked his pupils for concussion and wiped blood off his face. The eucalyptus oil was an antiseptic, but it couldn’t be used directly on the skin, so I couldn’t do much for his injuries.

But we had to get moving. First, though, he needed a sugar rush.

“If you’re hungry.” I handed him some squashed candy and cereal bars from the glove compartment. While fear had probably nudged out any hunger, the sugar might help with his shock.

Without saying a word, Matt tore off the wrapper from a chocolate bar with his good hand and shoved half of it in his mouth.

Putting the heat on high, I drove off, thankful for my excellent shifter eyesight. Avoiding the main thoroughfares, I got us out of town and sped toward our family’s cabin.

Matt’s chewing was the only sound in the car, except for the occasional crinkle of a wrapper. His shivering decreased, and he dried his face with the towel.

I had to call Flint and couldn’t leave it until we arrived at the cabin. He picked up on the first ring.

“What did you do?”

“I’m in the car with Matt, the man I met last night.”

“Spill in twenty-five words or less.”

I should have pulled over and texted, but Matt was leaning on the door, his eyes closed. What the hell? He was going to find out soon enough.

I summarized, telling Flint about the accident. “Not my fault.” And I detailed springing Matt from Dane’s clutches.

Flint’s brain worked quickly. “Did you mate?”

“Yes.”

“There’s no going back now. I’ll send out an alert, but the city is awash and the flooding is going to get worse. Not much will happen until the rain stops.”

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