Page 21 of Untamed Instincts

Quinton stood then realized his size might only intimidate Noah further, so he sat back down. But if his mate tried to leave the apartment, Quinton would have no choice but to physically stop him.

Even though it was daylight outside, the danger remained. Toro could have humans or preternaturals staking out Noah’s place.

“I’m still Quinton Everhart, a bear shifter and your mate,” he stated firmly.

The fear in Noah’s eyes seemed to momentarily fade, replaced by a droll expression. “And that’s supposed to magically clear things up? You could be lying your butt off about your name,” he retorted.

He noticed Noah didn’t dispute their connection as mates, only Quinton’s identity.

Regardless of whether or not the human trusted him, there was no denying the strong bond between them.

“I’ve had run-ins with Toro in the past, hon,” Quinton said calmly. “I know he’s a nasty piece of work.” He explained about the conversation he’d just had with Ryker and Killian downstairs.

The longer Quinton talked, the more Noah’s face drained of color.

“I need to know why he’s after you, sweetheart.” He patted the cushion beside him, but his mate refused to sit down.

Instead, Noah paced in front of the door while biting his thumbnail. “It was such a stupid mistake,” he admitted through clenched teeth. “I needed a loan because I was falling behind on my bills, but I didn’t want my family to find out I needed money.”

Quinton already knew a psychotic vampire was after his mate, but hearing the details still made his stomach churn. “Why were you concerned about your family finding out?”

Taking out a loan wasn’t an uncommon practice. People did it all the time.

“One word.” Noah stopped his pacing and scowled. “Jack.” He spit out the name like it tasted bad in his mouth. “My stepfather believes anyone who needs a loan is financially irresponsible. I would’ve never heard the end of it, and knowing him, he would have told his buddies. Every time I went to see my mom, Jack would have lectured me about how irresponsible I was being, even though I’m not.”

The more Quinton learned about the stepfather, the less and less he liked the guy. “But you didn’t have to tell him,” he remarked. “You’re an adult living on your own. Your finances are your business.”

“That’s what you would think, right?” Noah scoffed bitterly. “But Jack is acquainted with a lot of people in this town. I couldn’t take the chance he would know the person at the loan place.”

Quinton rubbed his hand across his bearded jaw. “So, you turned to a shady lender instead.”

Noah gave him a look that confirmed his suspicions. “Those people don’t ask for proof of income, and they don’t make you sign any contracts. They also conveniently neglected to mention the exorbitant amount of interest they charge, which compounds every day you default on your loan.”

“Why are you defaulting?”

“Because of the exorbitant amount of interest they charge. Haven’t you been listening?” Noah’s voice was high-pitched, like he’d shatter at any second.

Toro’s involvement meant Noah’s debt had reached a critical level. “How much do you owe?”

“I’m not dragging you into this.” His mate shook his head as he began pacing again, but more frantically this time.

“You’re not dragging me into anything.” Quinton stood to his full height. It wasn’t to intimidate Noah but to show his mate he was a force to be reckoned with. “The last time I ran into Toro, he was after a friend of mine.”

Noah looked him over, a curious expression on his face, but Quinton couldn’t tell if it was from fear or awe. “And the vampire is still living?”

“A mistake I plan to rectify,” Quinton snarled. “He’s not getting anywhere near you, cub.”

“I can’t believe it took me this long to figure out why you call me cub.” Noah smirked. “You’re a bear shifter. It’s cute, but I’m not a child.”

“It’s like how adults call their partners baby,” Quinton pointed out. “I use the term cub in the same way.”

“Oh.” Noah pursed his lips in understanding.

In just five steps, Quinton crossed the small space between them and wrapped his arms around Noah, pulling him close and dropping a tender kiss on the top of his head.

His mate curled into him, covertly sniffing Quinton’s shirt, but he heard the small sniffs and grinned. Noah liked his scent.

With a content sigh, Noah melted into him. Their connection allowed his mate to feel safe and at ease in his embrace.

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