Page 69 of His Mate

Kendra

I woke up slowly, the dull ache in my muscles pulling me out of the hazy remnants of sleep. For a moment, I didn’t know where I was—everything around me was quiet.

I shifted slightly, wincing as I stretched my legs, the lingering pain from the fight with the wolves settling deep in my muscles. Every inch of me throbbed with soreness.

But that wasn’t all that had happened last night.

My thoughts drifted back to Rowan. I could still feel the heat of his hands on my skin, the way his touch had driven away the pain, replacing it with overwhelming desire. He had been everything I needed and more, and now, I lay here, aching and exhausted, but utterly content.

But gods, I was sore.

I let out a soft groan as I rolled onto my back, the cool air brushing against my bare skin and making my nipples pebble.Beside me, Rowan stirred, his arm draped over my waist, his body warm against mine. He was still asleep, his breathing deep and steady. I glanced over at him, his face relaxed in the soft light, and I couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at my lips.

Maybe I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

I lay there for a while longer, safe in his arms, before his eyes opened and stared back into mine. There was a softness there, something tender that made my heart ache and twist with emotion. Even after everything, he still looked at me like I was the only thing in the world that mattered.

“Morning,” I murmured as I brushed a hand over his chest.

“Morning,” he replied, his voice low and gravelly from sleep. His arm tightened around me, pulling me closer. “How are you feeling?”

I let out a small laugh, though the aching in my body made me wince.

“Sore,” I admitted, “but… I’m okay. Better than I expected after everything.”

His eyes darkened, a hint of arousal flowing into them. The bond between us pulsed, that familiar connection settling over me like a warm blanket. For a moment, we just lay there in the quiet, our bodies tangled together, the world outside seemingly far away.

But I knew it couldn’t last.

“We’re not out of this yet,” I said softly, breaking the silence. “The Resistance… And after yesterday’s attack…”

Rowan nodded, his expression hardening. “They will think we’re both a threat. Especially now that you’ve shifted too.”

I sighed, pulling back slightly so I could look into his eyes. “What are we going to do? They’re going to want answers, and I don’t think they’re going to be satisfied with whatever we tell them.”

“We’ll face it together,” Rowan said firmly, his hand tightening around mine. “Whatever happens next, we’ll figure it out.”

Just as the words left his mouth, a loud knock echoed through the warehouse, startling both of us. I jerked upright, my heart racing as Rowan’s protective instincts kicked in, his body tensing beside me.

The door creaked open, and a familiar figure stepped through. It was Captain Sorin, her dark eyes cold and unreadable as she looked at the two of us.

“Get up,” she said, her voice flat. “It’s time.”

“Time for what?” Rowan asked, though there was no real need for the question. We both knew what was coming.

Sorin’s expression didn’t change. “The tribunal. They’ve convened to decide what to do with you.”

A chill ran down my spine at her words, but I forced myself to stay calm, glancing at Rowan before climbing to my feet. He stood beside me, towering and calm, but I could see the tightness in his jaw, the tension in his shoulders. He was ready for whatever was coming, even if I wasn’t.

Sorin’s eyes flicked to me, her gaze lingering on the light bruises and marks still visible on my skin from the day before. There was something unreadable in her eyes, but whatever it was, she didn’t voice it. Instead, she tossed a pile of clothing my way and then another toward Rowan, motioning for us to dress. I pulled on the pair of khakis and a long flannel shirt, covering up mynakedness as quickly as possible. I put on a pair of socks and a sturdy pair of boots too. I glanced in Rowan’s direction to see him pull on a shirt, a pair of jeans, and a pair of boots. Once we were both done, Sorin turned sharply and indicated that we should follow.

“Let’s go,” she said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

I hesitated for a moment, my stomach twisting as I thought of what awaited us in that tribunal. But Rowan’s hand slipped into mine, his touch grounding me, and I followed Sorin out of the warehouse and into the cool morning air.

The walk to the tribunal was short, but every step felt heavy, my mind racing with the possibilities of what could happen. Would they exile us? Execute us? Keep us as prisoners? I didn’t know, and the not knowing was worse than anything.

Rowan’s presence beside me was the only thing keeping my nerves in check. I glanced up at him, his expression stoic, though I could feel the tension radiating from him. He was ready to defend me if it came to that, but I hoped it wouldn’t.

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