Page 47 of In Your Eyes
I nodded. “Yes, but I want to come with you.” I hoped he wouldn’t be offended. “I know they’re your pack, your family, but I don’t trust them and I want—”
“You want to protect me.” He slid his lips over mine. “That’s sweet.”
Nobody had ever called me sweet. I might have been offended, but he was kissing me and touching me, so I let it go.
“And of course you can come with me. I’m stronger than my uncle in both forms, so I’ll be fine, but having you by my side is always a good thing.”
He had strength and youth on his side. But the shifter he might be forced to face in the ring had no honor.
“And unlike last time,Iknow not to trust anybody,” I said. “If he challenges you, I’ll monitor anyone in the ring with you and all of the witnesses the entire time.”
Nobody would hurt my mate. I’d make sure of it.
“You’ll keep me safe?”
If Korban would be forced to step into the ring, it’d be because of a challenge by someone in the Miancarem pack, someone he had grown up alongside of, maybe even someone who shared his blood. And yet it was me he relied on for his safety.
“You can count on me.”
“I know,” he whispered as he gazed at me warmly and caressed my cheek. “I trust you. I’m yours.”
And I was his.
Chapter 15
WESPENTthe evening cuddled together on the couch in the family room going over our plan for Korban’s return to Miancarem and how he would announce to the pack—and his uncle—that he was their Alpha. I didn’t want to risk anything going amiss and endangering my mate, so I allowed no stone to be left unturned in our discussion. Only when I was certain we had considered every possible risk and outcome—and when Korban begged for mercy from what he described as my torturing him by way of conversation—did I allow us to move on.
“We’re done?” he asked disbelievingly. “Likedonedone? No more ‘Oh, but what if…’ possibilities to dissect?”
“You’re teasing me,” I grumbled, crossing my arms over my chest.
He scooped me into a hug and lightly bit my neck. “Mostly. But, seriously, do you want to talk about this some more? Because I can if you need to.”
“No, I’m good,” I assured him. “Honestly.”
“Oh, thank God.” He let out a deep breath.
I arched my eyebrows.
“It’s not that I wasn’t interested in the conversation, but, uh, I’m tired and we need to be up early and… do you want a drink?” He got up from the sofa and pointed toward the kitchen. “Or a snack? I’m going to get some water.”
Unable to keep a straight face, I laughed. “All right, all right, already.” I got up and shook my head. “I’m scary overthinker guy. I get it.” I leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Go get your water. I’ll meet you upstairs.”
He winked and then walked into the kitchen as I headed up the stairs. My mother’s timing had always been impeccable, and that night was no different. As soon as I walked into the bedroom, my phone rang.
“Hi, Mom.”
“Samuel,” she sighed in relief. “It’s good to hear your voice. How are you doing?” She paused. “The truth, now.”
For years I had downplayed the depth of my shifting problem and the anxiety it caused me. She must have realized that, which wasn’t surprising considering how bad things had gotten and how observant she was. I was happy to finally ease her worries about me while answering her question honestly.
“I’m good.” I stepped out of my shoes and placed them on the rack in the closet. “Really good.” My socks were next; I shook them out and dropped them into the laundry basket.
“You sound it. I got a call from Walter Clemson today. Based on your voice, I assume the news he gave me was accurate. You found your true mate?”
As close as Walter had been to my father throughout their lives, it made sense that he had formed a friendship with my mother as well, so I understood why he contacted her. After all, it wasn’t every day a person heard about a shifter having a true mate. And if the shifter was male and his true mate was too, well, that was even more rare; so rare, in fact, I had gone all of my life without knowing it could happen.
“Yes,” I said as I walked to the bed. “You’re going to adore him.”
