Page 25 of Definitely Dead

“So, you’ve mentioned. Repeatedly.”

“I don’t think you should talk to him anymore.”

He appreciated his mate’s concern, even if he thought it was misplaced. He didn’t, however, enjoy being told what to do.

“I’m not a child, Tyr.”

“I didn’t say that, but I know you like to see the good in people. A lot of people don’t deserve it.”

Sunne huffed, his frustration bubbling over. “Give it a break already. He’s a mouthy teenager, not the fucking devil.”

A teenager who may or may not have a crush on his mate. He still hadn’t quite figured that part out yet. Either way, it didn’t make him evil.

“He’s not just any teenager,” Tyr argued. “He’s a mage.”

Okay, he hadn’t seen that one coming. He had assumed Aster was just a regular human like him, but it didn’t change anything.

“And you’re a magical shifter who turns into a bear the size of an SUV. What’s your point?”

Entering the lobby of the Tower, Tyr paused and turned to face him. “I just want you to be careful.”

“No, you want to keep me locked away in my room so that no one even looks at me, let alone speaks to me.”

Tyr’s upper lip pulled back from his teeth, and a low rumble vibrated in his chest. “That’s not true. Or fair.”

No, it really wasn’t, and he didn’t know why he’d said it. His mate could be possessive, but not in a controlling way. While Tyr didn’t necessarily like when people touched him, he had never tried to stop him from talking to the residents of the village.

With one exception.

He didn’t know what Tyr had against Aster, but sniping at him wouldn’t change anything. It would just end up making them both miserable.

“You’re right. That wasn’t fair.” He took Tyr’s hand and squeezed. “I’m sorry. I’m just tired, and I guess it’s making me kind of cranky.”

Tyr’s expression softened as he pressed his other hand to Sunne’s cheek and swept his thumb over the shadows under his eye. “You’re still having trouble sleeping?”

“I sleep just fine. I just don’t ever feel rested.”

“Are you still having bad dreams?”

His eyelids fluttered, and he leaned into the comforting touch. “Not bad exactly. Just weird and really vivid.”

“What was it this time?”

“I fought an alligator with a beer bottle.”

Grasping the back of his neck, Tyr chuckled as he pulled him close, holding him tight against his chest. “Did you win?”

“I woke up before the fight was over, but it wasn’t looking good.”

The shifter laughed again. “Come on,lelien. Maybe you’ll feel better after a nap.”

Sunne allowed himself to be led away toward the lifts, but he didn’t say anything. While a nap did sound amazing, just the thought of sleep made him anxious. Would he finally find peace? Or would he descend into another nightmare filled with teeth, claws, and unsuitable weapons?

“Maybe we should talk to Paris,” Tyr suggested when the cab doors slid closed behind them.

Biting his lip, Sunne reluctantly pulled the vial from his pocket and held it out by the stopper. “Actually, Aster gave me this. He said he got it from the apothecary. Valerian root.”

He steeled himself for the suspicion. The accusations. Maybe even a threat. He hadn’t, however, anticipated that Tyr would drop the bottle to the floor and crush it beneath his boot.

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