Page 11 of Chomp's Challenge

“I’m grateful that you saved me, Chomp. Truly. You’ve been so kind to me. I’m grateful for all you’ve done.”

The big man in front of me clenches his fists at his sides. I can’t see his expression because he turns around, hiding his face. A part of me feels guilty, like I did something wrong. But this isn’t on me. I’m not the one who’s partly a monster.

Shit. I don’t mean that. Perry was a monster. Ricky too. But Chomp? He’s been nothing but sweet.

A sigh escapes my lips. “I think I should leave.”

He spins around, his face a carefully blank mask that hides his true feelings. I don’t know how I know this, but I do. “I won’t ever harm you and I’ll never force you to do anything you don’t want. If you need to leave,” he pauses and swallows loudly, “I won’t stop you.”

Darn it. Now I’m conflicted. But I don’t think I can stay here, not now that I know what he is. Well, I sort of know. I guess I didn’t let him finish telling me.

That makes me feel guilty too. For a few seconds, I feel anger flood my body. I was so tired of being a doormat and basing my choices and actions on someone else’s needs first. I had to make my decisions for me now. It was okay to be a little selfish.

But I didn’t have anyone or know anyone. Except Callie.

“Will you do something for me?”

He doesn't hesitate to nod. “Of course.”

“Will you call Callie? Tell her I need a friend.”

His features falter for a moment before he turns away and pulls his cell from his pocket. I hear him dial a number and it rings twice before she answers.

“Hey, Chomp. Everything okay?”

“No,” he growls. “I need you to come over. Ariel says she needs a friend.” His voice is almost bitter, but it’s gone as quick as his tone betrays the emotion.

“I’m on my way.”

Callie hangs up and Chomp gestures to the table. “Please eat.”

I don’t want to waste the food although my appetite seems to have diminished with our conversation. Sitting as he remains standing, I cut into the steak, taking a bite. It’s delicious. In fact, the potato is too. Cooked to perfection.

When I’ve had my fill, I push the plate aside. “Won’t you eat?”

He shakes his head. “Later.”

I hear a car approach and figure it’s Callie. When I hear the door open and she parks, I’m on my feet and already walking to the door.

Chapter

Five

CHOMP

Callie doesn’t even knock; she just walks in and heads to Ariel’s side. After taking her hand, the two of them walk out the front door as Kodiak stomps inside. He pauses, his nose in the air, then he veers to the kitchen table. Not even bothering with a fucking plate, he grabs one of the steaks on the top and starts chowing down while I glare at him. Here I am, crushed beyond anything I’ve ever experienced and he’s eating the food I cooked for my mate.

After he chews then swallows, he asks, “So, what did you do to fuck this up?”

I roll my eyes remembering all the missteps that he made when pursuing his mate, Callie. Maybe I shouldn’t have gone after those two pieces of shit with her watching, but damn it, they had already hurt her and were doing so again. There was no way my gator was going to allow it to happen.

“She was telling me about before, when she lived with him and I lost it because he was hurting her in other ways besides physically, brother,” I reply. “My gator peeked out and she recognized my eyes from the campsite and guessed it was me who was involved. It freaked her out. Kodiak, what do I do? My gator is shredding my guts!”

He grabs another steak and starts eating it while he looks at the ceiling. I realize he’s probably thinking about what I’ve said, but I’m dying right now. Since he’s the only one of us who’s got a mate, he’s the logical choice as far as who I should ask. Then it dawns on me that if he continues, I won’t have anything to eat and that simply will not do. Sitting at my place at the table, I grab a steak for myself as well as a baked potato and begin slowly eating. I may not feel hungry per se, but I know I have to eat regularly to keep my gator happy. Otherwise, he wants to go hunting for prey.

“Did you explain about shifters at all?” he questions.

“Didn’t get the chance,” I grumble. Maybe I should’ve pushed the issue, but her words were so devastating to me, I couldn’t think beyond what she said.

---