Page 31 of Run Free

He shook his head.

“Do you think that’s why? Is that a thing? My parents are true mates. So far, my siblings all have true mates. I can’t even fathom any of them being unfaithful.”

He looked relieved to hear the shock in my voice. Did he really think I was going to cheat on him? It made me sick to my stomach to even think about it.

He reached out and brushed a piece of hair that had escaped from my ponytail. He leaned in and kissed my forehead. “I should have warned you I’m pretty screwed up. Pack life was fine as a kid, but when I was old enough to understand what was happening around me, it was bad, Clara. The second my wolf came in, I left and never looked back. Seeing you laughing with Dave, no matter how innocent, just brought it all back. I don’t know how to stop it.”

His pain was evident and broke my heart. I wrapped my arm around his and leaned against him. “You can’t. But you can always talk to me. I’ll try to be mindful of that when I’m around other males, too. Thank you for telling me.”

I didn’t press him for more details. I didn’t even know what pack he came from and I didn’t care. He had made it clear he had cut all ties to it. Thomas would want to know, but that was his problem.

“You really, never?”

I elbowed him in the side and he laughed. The tension between us cleared.

“You aren’t going to let me live that down, are you?”

“No, it’s not that. Are you kidding? You have no idea what it does to me to know that. I just feel bad.”

“For what?” I asked.

“Well, things would have gone a lot different and much slower yesterday if I’d realized. I feel like an ass. I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

I gave him a crazy look. “No. Gage, it was perfect. You were incredible. I think the frenzy of bonding overshadowed any discomfort. I’m a little sore today, but not in a bad way,” I confessed, feeling my cheeks heat.

“I’ll make it up to you next time,” he said with cocky assurance.

He gave me a sly smile and kissed me breathless. Somehow during that kiss, he turned us so I was pressed back into the grass as he hovered over me. His hand ran up my thigh and made my body quiver. When it dawned on me where things were headed, I pulled back and shook my head at him.

“Not here,” I whispered. “I wasn’t joking before. I’m not going to share you and I’m sure as hell not going to be shared. Alfred’s still hanging out around here and I’m not going to chance him dropping by.”

He laughed his deep, rich baritone laugh that warmed me all over. “Soon,” he said, giving me one last chaste kiss.

I wanted to drag him back inside and finish what had been started, but I also knew I had responsibilities and the day was not yet over.

“Come on, sweet angel. I was actually coming over to let you know Chelsea and I finished all the additional tasks today.”

I groaned and rolled my eyes. “Let me guess. The zoo is complete except for the elephants.”

He chuckled. “Seems like it.”

“I dread fighting Rick again, but this is getting ridiculous. Come on, I need to get this over with,” I said.

“You don’t want me to go with you. That guy already hates me for taking over his job and making him look bad.”

I knew it was true. We all did. I shrugged. “I don’t care about his feelings. I need you for moral support.”

He conceded, and we got up and walked hand in hand back to the elephants. Rick was sitting on a rock barking orders at everyone else and telling them what they were doing wrong. I had never wanted to punch anyone so badly in my entire life.

“Rick, we need to talk,” I said as we approached. Gage never left my side.

“What do you want?” he asked derisively. “Can’t you see I’m busy?”

“No, actually, I can’t,” I said. I wasn’t one that enjoyed conflict. My body hummed with negative energy towards the man. “I need to know the exact status and your estimated completion.”

He gave me an incredulous look. “My status is in progress, and it will be completed when it’s goddamn ready.”

Gage huffed behind me, but I held my hand up to stop him from advancing on Rick. “Not good enough,” I said. “The entire zoo is complete, Rick, except one enclosure. Others have already picked up your slack for the remainder of vector two. Most of the teams have already gone home. This is unacceptable, and dragging out too long.”

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