Page 9 of Dewitched

Fenix bobbed his head, but he didn’t remove his hand. “I’d still feel better if you saw a medic.”

“I think an ice pack will be enough.” The shifter’s touch felt nice, but it had already been several seconds, and he didn’t want to push his luck. Stepping away, he dragged a hand over his faceand flung the water away. “I wouldn’t mind getting out of this rain, though.”

“Good idea.” Fenix made a similar motion, wiping the water away from his eyes. “You said you’re in the last cabin?”

Owen nodded. “I need to find my glasses.” He patted his pockets and sighed. “And my phone.”

“Come on,tal—” He cut off abruptly and cleared his throat. “I’ll help you look.”

Owen frowned, curious as to what he’d meant to say. “What was that?”

“Nothing,” Fenix answered gruffly, turning away from him. “Let’s go.”

Great. He’d freaked out, completely humiliated himself, and now, he’d pissed off the only person to show him even a modicum of affection in longer than he could remember. Not just anyone, either, but an elite Guardian.

Gods, he really should have stayed home.

Chapter four

Following his mate backup the hill, Fenix berated himself the entire way. What the fuck had he been thinking?

He hadn’t, and that was kind of the problem.

Once he’d realized Owen belonged to him, he’d lost his damn mind. That didn’t pardon him for scaring the hell out of his mate, but it was all he had. The sight of Owen tumbling down that hill would haunt him for the rest of his miserable life. It was his duty, hisprivilege, to protect the male, to make sure he remained safe, happy, and whole.

Instead, he’d caused him injury before they’d ever spoken a word to each other. It had to be a record, and one that no Otherling on the planet would be proud to hold.

Then he’d almost slipped up and called him by a precious endearment. Fenix scoffed. As if he had any right to utter such a meaningful term. Hell, he didn’t even have the right to call himself a mate.

Built for battle, he had little experience with things like gentleness. When he wanted something, he took it, and itwasn’t in his nature to ask permission first. Cleary, those tactics wouldn’t work with Owen.

It would help if the guy recognized the connection between them, but he clearly didn’t have a clue. Or worse, he did, and he wanted no part of it. Not that Fenix could fault him. Reverse their positions, and he’d probably feel the same way.

Gods, he’d made a glorious mess of things, and it was nothing short of a miracle that Owen even deigned to speak to him.

Halfway up the slope, he spotted the black-framed glasses a couple of yards to his right. Any pride he felt at being able to help his mate, however, quickly faded when he remembered why Owen had lost his lenses in the first place.

“Are these yours?” he asked as he stooped to pick them up by the earpiece.

Spinning around to face him, Owen’s foot slipped in the wet grass, but thankfully, this time, Fenix was ready. He lunged forward and caught the male around the waist, holding him protectively until he found his balance.

“Thanks,” Owen breathed, his cheeks blushing an alluring shade of pink. “Thanks for finding my glasses, too.” He took the spectacles, shook off the excess water, and slipped them on. “That’s better.”

As they continued up the hill, Fenix kept a respectful distance while remaining close enough to intervene in case his mate slipped again. Sadly, they made it to the top without further incident. Not that he wanted anything bad to happen to the male, but he wouldn’t deny enjoying another excuse to touch him.

“There’s my phone.” He didn’t sound happy about it, though. Plucking the device out of a quickly forming puddle, he tapped roughly at the screen a few times, then sighed. “Yeah, it’s toast.”

“I’ll buy you a new one.”

Owen tilted his head and frowned. “Why would you do that?”

Because he’d do anything to see him smile. “I’m the reason you dropped it in the first place. It’s only right.”

Owen continued to study him for a moment before shoving the phone into his jacket pocket. “I appreciate it, but that’s really not necessary.” He started toward the back door of his cabin but stopped when he realized Fenix hadn’t moved. “Are you coming?”

It amazed him that he would even be invited. “I’m right behind you.”

The warmth of the cabin enveloped him as he followed his mate inside, and he almost groaned when the full weight of Owen’s scent hit him. In the enclosed space, amplified by the rain, the fragrance was fucking potent, and his cock instantly swelled inside his soaked leathers.

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