Page 66 of Mitchell's Untamed Mate

Jayden smothered a snort of laughter.She grinned at Jayden and began eating.Mitchell breathed a sigh of relief.Jayden could be hard-headed, but it was because she was very protective of those she loved—and she was afraid of being hurt.Tracy was slowly winning the other woman over with her sense of humor, her quick wit, and her refusal to be intimidated.

“How is… Ella?”Jayden asked in a quiet voice.

“She’s doing good.She has my brother wrapped around her little finger.I love how she keeps him on his toes,” Tracy said.

Jayden nodded.“That’s good.She’s happy.”

“Yes, she is.”

Mitchell reached into his pocket and pulled out the small cloth-wrapped gift, reached across Tracy, and held it out to Jayden, who looked at the gift with a frown.

“Ella asked me to give you this.She also wanted me to tell you that she misses you very much,” he said.

Jayden slowly reached for the gift.She curled her fingers around it before tucking it inside her tunic.He watched as she suddenly rose.

“I’ll take your bowls if you are finished.The elders will want to start the meeting soon,” she said.

Mitchell handed his wooden bowl and spoon to Jayden.Tracy was still eating.He waited until the collection of bowls and utensils was collected before he rose and walked over to stand near the firepit.All eyes were on him.

“I have come with a proposal from the president of the shifters,” he announced, lifting his chin and turning in a tight circle so he could study each person’s reaction.“She has offered us a safe haven amongst the shifters.A chance to live… and thrive without fear.”

“Lies!”

“They want to cage us and kill the last of us!”

“Traitor!You are leading the shifters right to us!”

He had expected the resistance to his remarks, which is why he made the announcement the way he did.He wanted them to get their fear out.Until they did, they would not be able to listen.After a few minutes, he noticed the group growing quiet and lifted his hands.

“I address not just the elders, but all of you.I know you are afraid.I would be lying if I said I wasn’t,” he began.

“Then why are you doing this?Why did you bringherhere?”Paulette demanded.

“Maybe he wanted some—” Tom called out.

“What’s the matter, Tom?Jealous?”Jayden interjected.

“Why don’t you grow a pair, Jayden,” Tom retorted.

“I already have.They’re called boobs,” Jayden responded, jumping to her feet and cupping her breasts.“Something you’ll never see.”

“Enough!”Rand ordered, standing.“Mitchell, please continue.”

Mitchell glanced at Jayden who smirked, shrugged, and sat back down beside Tracy.He cleared his throat and returned his attention to the group which had finally calmed down.He made eye contact with each person, wanting them to know he was focused on each of them.

“We can’t continue the way we have been.We’ve lost too many of us,” he said.

“Can we move farther north?”Hope asked.

He shook his head.“I’ve seen a map the shifters have of this area.We are on land they protect, but are surrounded by their developments.It was only a matter of time before we were found.”

“This is Ella and Jayden’s fault.If they hadn’t gone past the barrier, we would still be safe,” Tom accused.

Jayden stood again.“Don’t go blaming Ella.I’ll take responsibility, but don’t you say anything about Ella,” she growled, pointing a finger at Tom.

“What happened may have accelerated us being found, but if you could see the map?—”

Mitchell sighed and looked at Tracy.She nodded and rose.A minute later, she returned with the folded map.She held one side while he unfolded and opened it so everyone could see it.They turned in unison, completing a slow circle.

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