“Already on it. Human with a bunch of she-wolves and fae powder? You wound me if you thought I wouldn’t know.” Locke held his hand to his chest, rubbing it as if it hurt.
Playfully, I punched his shoulder and headed to the door with my mate on the other side.
My mate.
Opening the door, I found her sitting on the hard-seated chair by the table. Her arms are wrapped around her legs, staring at me like a frightened mouse. Her hair was up in a messy bun, her caramel eyes staring back at me. She shook, her eyes batting erratically.
“What’s wrong?” My wolf pushed to reveal himself, to show how strong and dependable we were to keep her safe.
She did not need to fear us. Others needed to fear for their safety when anyone stepped near her. Not another moment of worry should cross her path. I was her protector. I was her mate.
“You were gone a while. Everything okay?” she asked.
My smile curled. I sauntered over, my boots tapping the floor, until I kneeled before her.
Her body shifted away from me.
“Do I scare you?” Journey looked me up and down carefully. My body was still covered in one of my brother’s blood. “I can--” I stepped away, but to my surprise, she held out her hand for me to stop.
“No, no, you don’t scare me.” Her head dropped between her knees.
“Then what worries you? Ailes you?”
The wrinkle between her eyebrows creased the skin. She smacked her nude lips and blew out a breath.
“I’m scared to be alone,” she whispered.
I put my hand out, palm facing upwards. A silent request for her hand. She placed the cool fingers in mine, and I squeezed them tight. Warmth engulfed us both, and I swore I heard her breath hitch.
Could humans feel the bond too?
“You won’t be alone again,” I promised.
Chapter Eight
Journey
Youwon’tbealoneanymore,it echoed through my soul as he stepped away, pulling me with him.
“I don’t understand what’s going on,” I said as he led me to the couch. Despite it being old, it held my body upright as my back sank into the cushion.
My body no longer tense, I stared up into his eyes. They were such a dark blue when I first saw them, so guarded and hidden from the night when he peered under the bed. Now they were lighter, almost a light navy.
He claimed me in front of his friends, his protective stance and hitting his best friend who lived across the hallway was proof enough.
“Not alone, not anymore.” He stood up and went to the fridge, pulling out bottles of water.
It was mostly empty, no food to be seen. A true bachelor, probably ordered in or went to that bar I saw last night.
Most men weren’t one to plan and take care of themselves, and Grim was certainly far from caring what people thought of his home.
So, what makes me think he could look after me?
I glanced around the room, the bed I’d made still sat undisturbed. The afternoon sun’s rays highlighted the dust particles that littered the air.
Grim ran his hand through the messy hair on top of his head. The sides were buzzed short, and his beard was now trimmed neater than it had been last night.
His appearance already looked less feral. The usual scowl had softened considerably since returning from speaking with Locke.
