Page 58 of Dawn Unearthed

Her lips twitched. “Because you’re afraid to be alone with me? Or you need to be with our newcomer? Was that Ash?” she asked, and my heart stuttered, even as I nodded.

“Yes, that was Ash. I didn’t know he was coming back.”

“From the look on everyone’s faces, including his sister’s, I don’t think anybody knew.”

“I should go see him. He was my friend.”

She tilted her head, studying my face. “Was?”

My bear clawed at me, my heart racing even as my stomach rolled. “I can’t…I can’t talk about it.”

“It seems many people can’t talk about it.”

I shook my head, my brain hurting. “They’re not my secrets to tell. If I tell you what I feel about them, I’ll break trust. I want to tell you everything, Sage. I promise, I do. But I can’t.”

She reached out and cupped my face. I froze, needing more, needing to push into her, hold her close, and never let her go. “Okay,” she whispered. “I understand. I’m learning and figuring things out. I’m here if you need me.”

“I don’t want to leave you alone,” I said as I leaned down and brushed my lips against hers. I couldn’t help it. I needed to touch her. Needed to be with her.

She might not be my mate in truth, but I needed her because she was mine. And as she looked at me, I had to hope that maybe she felt the same way about me.

“Will you be safe here?” I asked, not wanting to leave.

Her lips quirked into a smile. “Yes. We have wards, and this is the best place I can be for now. I’m going to call my aunt because she wanted to be alone, but Rowen still set the wards at her house.”

“I would feel better if all of you guys were together.”

Sage shook her head. “Aunt Penelope needed time. Rowen is doing too much and won’t let me help, and Laurel is off, either with her brother or dealing with other things. We’re all working with what we have. I’ll be safe in my small cottage with the wards set.”

“And with some of my people on your place.”

Her eyes widened. “What?”

“I’m going to make sure the bears watch your place.”

“You’ve already had them doing it, haven’t you?” She narrowed her eyes.

I shrugged and stuffed my hands into my pockets. If I didn’t, I’d want to hold Sage close and never let her go. I was possessive. Sue me. “My bears protect this town. They protect the people I care about. And that’s you, Sage.”

She ducked her head then hugged me tightly. I wrapped my big arms around her, not wanting to let her go. “As long as they’re safe. Maybe I’ll bake for them.”

I grinned. “Just keep the honey buns for me.”

She rolled her eyes. “No, I can’t do that in this town. But I will find a special treat for you.” My cock hardened at that, and she laughed. “I didn’t mean it to sound so sexual.” She paused. “You should go.” She kissed me again, and I slid my hand around the back of her neck, tightening ever so slightly so I could hold her close.

“Be safe.”

“I am safe.”

“I’ll always want to protect you.”

“The same for me with you. Now, go see your friend. Rowen will be here soon. I think something’s changing. “

“I felt it, too,” I whispered and kissed her again, needing her taste, her touch. I wanted her, and with the magic swirling around me, I knew she wanted me, too. Tonight wasn’t the night for that, though, not with what we needed to do separately.

As I walked out of her cottage, my bear growled to go back. I looked up to find Ariel.

“We’ll protect her, boss. Go see what Ash wants.”

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