Page 42 of Fat Betrayed Mate
For several moments, we remain locked together, our ragged breathing the only sound in the small room. My limbs feel weightless, boneless, as the aftershocks of pleasure continue to ripple through me. Thomas's breath is warm against my neck, his heartbeat thundering against my chest.
"I've got you," he whispers, his voice hoarse as he carefully lowers my feet to the ground. My legs buckle immediately, and I would have slid to the floor if not for his strong arms catching me.
"Sorry," I murmur, a breathless laugh escaping me. "I don't think I can stand."
His eyes, still dark with remnants of desire, soften as he brushes a strand of hair from my face. Without a word, he bends and scoops me into his arms, cradling me against his chest.
“Sleep now,” he murmurs. “I’ll take care of you.”
Despite myself, I believe him.
Chapter 10 - Thomas
Two days.
Forty-eight hours since Fiona came apart in my arms at the ranger station, since we crossed every line we'd drawn between us, and she hasn't said a word about it.
Not one word.
She's avoiding me with the skill of someone who has had practice at disappearing. Different patrol schedules, meals taken at odd hours, conversations that end abruptly when I enter a room. This morning, I watched her duck into the supply closet when she saw me coming down the hallway, emerging only after my footsteps had faded.
The irony isn't lost on me. Six years ago, I was the one running. Now, she's perfected the art.
I push the thought away and focus on the map spread across my desk, marking potential safe house locations with red pins. Three families from the Riverside Pack have already requested temporary shelter after hunters burned down their community center. It's only a matter of time before we need these contingency plans.
"The Morrison place has good access roads," James says, leaning over my shoulder to study the map. "And it's isolated enough that we wouldn't have to worry about humans nearby asking questions."
"Water situation?" I ask, making a note beside the red pin.
"Well and septic, both functional. Ruby checked it out yesterday." He straightens, rolling his shoulders. "How many families are we planning for?"
"Worst case? Fifty, maybe sixty displaced shifters." I mark another location near the eastern border. "The Redpine Pack is holding for now, but their territory borders three different hunting groups, and those groups are getting bolder by the day."
"Shit." James runs a hand through his hair. "Remember when our biggest worry was rogues and territorial disputes? First the Cheslems, and now this…”
"Simpler times," I agree, though simple is the last word I'd use to describe my life right now.
A commotion outside the office interrupts my brooding. Through the window, I see Luna jogging toward the pack house, her face tight with urgency. She disappears inside, and moments later, my radio crackles to life.
"All council members to the main conference room. Emergency session with the elders."
James and I exchange looks.
"Third trial complications?" he guesses.
"Has to be." I start gathering my papers. "Victoria's been pushing to reinstate the full ceremony despite the security concerns."
Of course, I’d rather we do anything but. If I ignore the little voice in my head begging me to make Fiona my mate, pleading,
We're halfway to the door when Luna reappears, slightly breathless and holding Maisie's hand. The little girl looks around with wide eyes, taking in the unusual bustle of activity.
"Thomas," Luna calls, relief evident in her voice. "Thank god you're here. I need a huge favor."
"What's wrong?"
"The elders want us, and Fiona’s patrolling." Luna glances down at Maisie apologetically. "I know this isn't your thing, but could you watch her? Just for a few hours? You can afford to skip the meeting—we can’t.”
"Sure," I say, surprised by how the idea doesn't terrify me as much as it should.
