Page 26 of The Bodyguard and the Alpha
I drew on all my senses. No scent of danger. No humans or predators within miles of us. Nothing I could see. My fists clenched, my muscles tense, ready to do violence. But there was no threat.
Her scent soured. Guilt. Despair. Her emotions flooded our bond.
Panic attack, said the asshole in my head.
I don’t care what it’s called. I’ll get rid of it.I sent him the same image I’d sent our mate.
I needed to get to a bed. I wanted my mate in my arms so that I could soothe away the hurt she was feeling. But first, a den.
I spun, lifting a leg, and kicked the door. The lock splintered and the door swung open, revealing a dim interior.
And then what?The asshole taunted me. Why the fuck wouldn’t he just shut up?
And then she’ll no longer be sad. And she’ll be pregnant.
But the source of her panic attack will still be there. You’ll have to talk to her about why she gets them. And she is on birth control.
Frustrated, I almost snarled aloud.I wanted her belly stuffed full with my babe.Never mind. Soon.But I had no need to talk to her about the panic attack. Talking was his thing, andhewasn’t in charge anymore. She was my mate.Mine. I could fix it. If she was cum-drunk there would be no space for the negative thoughts.
The cabin was one big room, and jackpot, a large bed took up most of one side. It was covered in bedding that smelled only of laundry powder. I growled in satisfaction. It was a good den. The windows were covered. My mate would have soft pillows and blankets if she wanted them. If not, I would be her blanket. Her shield. Her everything.
Satisfied that our den was suitable, I whirled back to my mate, scooping her into my arms. I kicked the door shut behind me. I would barricade it later, making our den secure. Holding her close to my heart, I lay on the bed, her body above mine and I soothed her down the bond. Sending her my love, my adoration. I opened my heart to her, the feelings I’d had for her for five fucking years pouring out of me.
You are beautiful. Perfect. Made for me.
Slowly, her heartrate began to settle. The black cloud of guilt faded, replaced by deep exhaustion.
Sleep, baby.
I didn’t move until I felt her drop into sleep. Then, slowly, reluctantly, I shifted her on the bed until I could wriggle out from under her. She snorted softly, then settled again when I draped the coverlet over her. When she woke, she would need food.
And that meant I needed help.
What do I do?I asked him.
Oh, now you need me, he scoffed.
He was angry because he had waited for our mate as long as I had, but I had stolen her from him. Regardless, now that I had completed the mate bond, he wouldn’t be able to deny me when it came to helping me meet our mate’s needs.
How do I make the power work? I want to feed and care for our mate.
He sighed, the anger draining away, as I knew it would. Having him guide me through the steps of finding the generator in the shed, filling it with fuel and starting it, was surprisingly companionable. Perhaps we could have been friends once. If he hadn’t locked me away for so many years. Taking what he needed, never asking. Never sharing. Jerk.
Then he showed me how to bind her bruised shoulder. She didn’t stir when I removed the ruined uniform, when I wrapped her purpled skin and clothed her in a shirt and soft pants I’d found in a cupboard. It smelled of lemon laundry detergent, and of me, once I’d rubbed it over my chest. My mate would wear clothes that smelled of me. All other males would know that she was mine.
I let her sleep while I went to find food. I’d waited five years. I could wait a few more hours.
Once I no longer needed the other’s help, I locked him back in his prison, ignoring his protests. I wouldn’t feel guilty for this. He had done it to me. It was his turn to be the prisoner now.
When Electra finally stirred, sitting up, looking adorably rumpled, the room was warm from the fire in the hearth. I had washed the blood off my body, and donned a pair of boxer shorts, athisurging. I was reluctant to cover myself. I knew my mate liked to look upon my body. But I needed to feed her before I took her properly, and he was right. The boxers would be a reminder of my need for patience.
The meal was ready and I had found drinking water. I tested it first—slightly metallic but not dangerous— and the food was ready. It was bland canned food, but it had protein and would satisfy her body’s needs. Other than the ones I would satisfy for her.
Electra’s nose twitched. “That smells amazing.”
Come mate. Let me feed you.
Chapter 33
