Page 31 of Bear the Burden

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Hyett couldn’t remember the last time he’d been this happy, if ever. When he’d come back to his bedroom and found Wesley asleep, he’d sat there and watched his mate for the longest time.

It still didn’t feel real to him. Hyett was 233 years old, but even before he had reached maturity, he was always on the lookout for his mate.

There had been a constant yearning inside of him—the same yearning every preternatural felt, what his father and brothers craved—to find that one person meant just for him.

The one person who would make him feel whole. Wesley was his one shot at true happiness, and Hyett would guard that one shot jealously.

Already he cared about Wesley. He might even go so far as to say he was lightweight in love with the guy.

And last night… Wow. Hyett had been asleep but had felt Wesley watching him. He’d thought they’d maybe cuddle, talk, or possibly watch some TV.

But he had claimed his mate.

A crowbar couldn’t pry the smile off his face.

But their current conversation might.

“I just don’t want you going back to your house.” Hyett stood in the kitchen trying his best not to lose his cool. He wanted to argue that it was where his mate had just suffered trauma, but he didn’t want to be so blunt.

“Even if I’m going to stay here for a few days, I need some things from my house,” Wesley replied.

“Things that I can get for you.” Hyett really did love his mate’s personality, but Wesley’s stubbornness was driving him up the wall.

“And how are you going to drive my car back here?” he asked with an arched brow. The guy was sexy as shit when he did that.

“I’ll take one of my brothers with me. Besides, you don’t even need it right now anyway.”

“I do if I have to work tomorrow.” Wesley glared defiantly at Hyett, as if daring him to find another reason he didn’t need his car.

“I just claimed you last night.” He gave the gentle reminder through clenched teeth. “Your boss is a wolf shifter. You get two weeks off, with pay, for your honeymoon period, babe. Besides, you’re not even supposed to be out of bed.”

Wesley stepped closer, dropping his voice and narrowing his pretty eyes. “I’m quite sure what we did last night isn’t considered bed rest. If I can perform acrobatics, I can work.”

Hyett leaned down until their noses touched. “You twisted your body beautifully the three times we fucked because I was touching every inch of your soft skin. I won’t be there to touch you at work.” He pursed his lips and gave his mate a quick peck on his lips.

“Don’t you dare try to charm me.” Wesley pulled back and crossed his arms.

Hyett really didn’t want to blow Wesley’s mind. He didn’t. But his mate was leaving him with no other choice. “Drug dealers threatened your life, Wesley. Do you honestly think I’m going to leave my mate alone at work? This is a lot more dangerous than you know. When my dad and I were on your porch, we smelled…”

Shit. Hyett ran a hand through his hair. If Wesley momentarily freaked out about wolf shifters and a preternatural’s longevity, he was not going to handle the existence of demons very well.

“Smelled what?” Wesley still had a stubborn set to his jaw. “Whatever,” he replied when Hyett didn’t answer him. “Since you so casually dropped the fact my boss isn’t human, thanks by the way, Cyrus can keep an eye on me.”

“It’s not his job to watch my mate!” The eruption came out of nowhere, leaving Hyett seething at the thought of someone else protecting what was his.

His canines also descended. Wesley dropped his arms and took a few steps back, visibly trembling as he stared wide-eyed at Hyett.

The sight of Wesley’s fear forced Hyett’s canines to recede, and he cursed himself seven different ways for scaring his mate.

“I’m sorry.” He ran a hand down his face as his father entered the doorway to the kitchen, his brothers flanking him.

They would give Hyett a beatdown if they thought he was emotionally abusing or tormenting Wesley in any way. Mates were precious and protected, even if they weren’t yours.

“Do we need to have a discussion outside?” his dad asked in a deadly tone.

“No, sir.” Hyett didn’t need his father to kick his ass. He was doing a fine job of it himself.

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