Page 22 of Run Free

“My team’s been working overtime. I’m confident we can have the last things wrapped up today. The minor cosmetic issues remaining can be done during their feeding times while locked in the den.”

I shuddered at the implications. He’d be leaving tomorrow then. That didn’t give me much time to figure things out.

“How soon can we move them to the den?” I asked.

“Let me go through the checklist, make sure we didn’t overlook anything, but they can probably be moved right away if you’re willing to cage them there.” I watched him cringe at the idea. I didn’t like it either, but it was better than further sedating them if they were fighting against the meds already.

“It will take several hours for the sedation to fully wear off. They will be safe in the den during that time. Have Byron and Tatum shift and examine the den before I move them.”

Gone was the needy mate ready to beg him to stay. I had transformed into work mode and he not only noticed, but I could have sworn I saw pride in his eyes. I didn’t have time to dwell on it. We had work to do.

I left Gage to tend to the tigers. The female was already stirring. Her vitals were strong and there was no sign of injury. She had healed nicely. The male, on the other hand, still had stitches in his side from the surgery I’d had to perform the day we arrived. I checked the incision and found it healing, but not enough to remove the stitches. He’d have them a few more days still, maybe a week. I sadly realized that meant I would have to stick around longer than I’d hoped.

I couldn’t think about it. There was too much work still to do. I left a team of vets to oversee the beasts and walked back to their home. It still saddened me that they would continue to live in confinement, but Gage and Byron had done a fantastic job of making it as authentic as possible. I knew the tigers would be happy again.

Gage was working in the den alongside two beautiful white leopards. The mated pair sniffed and pushed, testing every inch of the place. It was still a cage, but it didn’t feel like one, even with the iron gate shut and locked tightly. Gage started on one end and I started on the other as we tugged and pressed against the bars in search of any weakness.

His heart rate increased, and his breathing became labored. I felt his anxiety. That should have worried me, because it meant our bond was growing, but all I could think about was the fact that my mate was in distress. The second I was confident in the section I was testing, I turned and went to him. I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him as his body stiffened awkwardly.

“You’re okay, you’re safe. I’m not going to let anything happen to you. Just breathe, Gage.”

He was on the cusp of hyperventilating, but with my touch and soothing words he slowly began to relax. I rose to my tiptoes and pressed my lips against his. He froze again, but only for a moment before he growled and kissed me back with all the frustrations we’d been suppressing.

I would have given myself over to him completely if Dave hadn’t yelled in. “How’s it looking in there?”

I groaned in disappointment as Gage slowed the kiss and pulled back. I expected to see a smile on his face, but there was only further confusion and frustration. I gave him a moment to compose himself. When he was back in control, I yelled, “Open the gate, it’s good.”

Cheering went up from outside the den and I walked out first, giving Gage a few more moments to himself. When he finally stepped out, the team cheered even louder. He looked embarrassed and wouldn’t make eye contact with me. I wished I knew what was going on in that head of his. I thought maybe he was going to open up to me earlier in my office, but Dave had interrupted us. Now, I wasn’t sure that would happen.

Gage

Chapter 13

Why did she have to kiss me? The second her lips touched mine it was like something inside me cracked. I was not going to be able to leave her. The pull to be near her and touch her was already difficult to resist, but now? I could feel the possession welling up inside.

Every time she worked near me, her smell drove me insane. Each time she brushed past me made me want to reach out and pull her into my arms. I felt like I was drowning in Clara and I didn’t know how to stop it. But worse, I wasn’t sure I wanted to.

She hadn’t once looked at me like a broken, worthless man. It made me work harder and stand taller, even knowing I could never be good enough for her. I couldn’t help but try to be, though.

Alfred and his damn wager. When Clara had found out, she said she’d bet on us. She looked right at me and said she’d take those odds. She looked so certain I wouldn’t run from her. How could she be, when I didn’t even know myself?

I needed to talk to her, sort all this out. I just didn’t know how. I tried, and then Dave had interrupted. He looked pleased to catch us together. I already knew he was rooting for us, too. He should know better. He should want better for her than the likes of me.

I had always lived my life on my terms. I went where I wanted, when I wanted. I had never thought twice about taking a woman I wanted when the feeling was mutual, so why did I hesitate with Clara? I knew I wanted her in every way imaginable, and she clearly wasn’t opposed to the idea. I think the permanency of our situation is what scared the hell out of me. I couldn’t let us just get caught up in the moment. There was too much at stake with the bond between us.

Clara was sweaty and beaming in happiness as she assisted the team transporting the tigers. They were still lightly sedated. Once inside the den, she was left alone to tend to them. I didn’t like it. My need to keep her safe was overpowering. I walked into the den even while everyone else made their exit.

“What can I do to help?” I asked as casually as I could muster.

“Oh, hey. I just sent everyone out actually. I’m good. You’re better off outside the gate. They might not be very friendly when they fully wake,” she explained.

“I’m not leaving you in here,” I told her, leaving no room for argument.

“Gage, this is my job. This is what I do. I can’t worry about you right now. You’ll only distract me. Plus, you’re safer outside,” she argued anyway.

“If I’m safer outside, then so are you,” I pointed out.

“Why are you acting like you even care? Just let me do my job.”

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