Page 8 of Broken Mate

He returned it. “Esmerelda, can I have their check?”

“You don’t have to pay for us,” Anais said.

“I know, but it’s a small token to welcome you to your new home.”

She blinked, and a sheen of tears made the sapphire depths of her eyes glisten. “Thank you.”

He wasn’t sure if she was thanking him for the meal or the acceptance. It made his heart wobble with emotion.

“No check,” Esmerelda said. “Payton already took care of it.”

Ruby opened her mouth as if to argue, but then closed it just as quickly. She nodded in gratitude.

He looked at the crutches. “Do you need me to carry you, Anais?”

Horror dawned in her blue eyes. “No. Absolutely not. In fact, why don’t we meet you outside?”

“I want to help you.”

She sucked in a quick breath and something dark passed through her sky-blue eyes. He recognized shame and fear, and his wolf paced in agitation. “My aunt can help me.”

He looked at Ruby, and then Esmerelda. “Do you mind if I have a moment with Anais?”

“Uh, sure. I’ll just go, um, stand outside.”

Esmerelda patted Anais on the shoulder. “Welcome to the pack.”

When they both left, Ledger held out his hand to his mate. Anais glanced at it and then raised her eyebrows. Then she glanced around the diner.

“Not here,” she whispered.

He leaned closer to her. “You know who I am, right?”

She didn’t reply, only stared out the diner’s window at her aunt, who now paced in front of a car.

“Anais.” She turned those luminous eyes his way. “Do you know who I am?”

Slowly, she nodded.

“Then take my hand.”

She shook her head. “I don’t think I should. People will get the wrong impression.”

He and his wolf didn’t like her rejection, and he could understand why she wanted to deny their connection. They were fated mates, destined to be together and love one another. Some wolves never discover their mates, so for them to find each other already beat the odds.

“All right,” he conceded, letting his hand drop. “At least let me help you stand.”

“You don’t have to pity me,” she mumbled.

He frowned. “Anais, I don’t pity you. That is one emotion I won’t ever feel for you. I want to help you. To be there when you need me. You don’t have to know me to know that.”

She took a deep breath, then nodded. “Okay.”

He stood and then stretched out his hand once more. She looked from it up to his face, took a deep breath, and slid her much smaller hand into his. As he tugged, she half-rose and his other arm immediately wrapped around her waist to steady her. His wolf prowled against his consciousness, as if wanting out. Probably to meet Anais and rub his scent into her skin. He didn’t blame his wolf. He kind of wanted to rub against her too. Didn’t matter they were in a very public place with the eyes and the ears of the pack watching them.

Anais reached over and grabbed her crutches and he kept her steady as she slipped her arms into the cuffs. He didn’t want to let go of her, but he had no other excuse to hold her, so he took a step back and followed her outside. He was conscious of people staring at her, and the pity darkening their gazes. Ledger realized this was what she hated—what she didn’t want from him. He made sure to keep his expression neutral as they made their way past people and out the door.

“If you ladies would like to follow me, I’ll take you to the lodge.”

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