Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 39650 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 198(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39650 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 198(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
Simon dug in his heels and slipped to the side, extricating himself from Mitch’s touch.
The urge to growl his displeasure at the separation and grab his mate was huge, but Mitch calmed himself with the internal reminder that Simon had agreed to stay and giving chase would not be welcome by his fragile mate. Not that Simon would agree with that description of himself.
“I need to get dressed,” Simon said, glancing down at his naked body.
Mitch followed his gaze. A need unlike any he had felt before burned hot and bright as he looked at his mate. Though he didn’t want Simon covering up, he understood it was best for both of them. Simon would apparently feel safer, and Mitch wouldn’t have his resolve to give his mate space stretched to the breaking point.
“My brother is getting your things from your campsite.” Mitch stepped over to his dresser. “But you can borrow my clothes in the meantime.” He opened his drawer and shuffled around, looking for a comfortable T-shirt that would come close to fitting Simon.
“He’s getting my stuff?”
“Uh-huh.” Mitch discarded almost everything he owned as too large for his lithe mate.
“How does he know where it is?”
“The pack members told us. But Freddy would have been able to scent it out anyway.” Finally finding an old shirt that had been snug to begin with and had shrunk over time, he turned to Simon. “How about this?” He dug through his drawer, found shorts with a drawstring, and held them out too. “And this?”
“Thanks.” Simon reached for the clothes and bit his bottom lip. His hand trembled, and he wouldn’t meet Mitch’s gaze.
“What’s wrong?” Mitch asked. His fingers itched to take hold of Simon’s chin and raise his gaze. His lips tingled with the need to brush over that pout and turn it into a smile. But he didn’t allow himself to do either of those things. Instead, he crossed his arms over his chest, tucked his hands underneath them, and stood still as he waited for the answer.
“My campsite is on Blue Mountain territory.” Simon gripped the shirt and shorts so tightly his knuckles whitened.
“Uh-huh?” Mitch hoped Simon would elaborate because he still wasn’t clear about what had suddenly frightened him.
“I didn’t ask for permission to come onto pack territory.” Simon rubbed his lips together. “I camped there for a couple of days.” He sighed deeply and pulled the shirt over his head. “Would it be too much trouble to ask you to bring my things to me?”
“Bring your…” Mitch furrowed his brow in confusion. “I already told you, Freddy is bringing them here.”
“I can’t be here when the Alpha arrives,” Simon said, stepping into the shorts. “If I’m here, he might—” He gulped. “I don’t want to cause you any problems.” He found the drawstring and tugged it as far as it would go. “Besides, it’s safer if I leave now. I can wait in town outside of the pack territory.”
Unable to maintain control at the prospect of his mate leaving, Mitch growled, grabbed Simon, and pulled him into his arms. “You go nowhere without me.” He cupped Simon’s cheeks and lifted his head so their gazes met. “Nobody here will hurt you, and if anyone tries, my brother will be next to me guarding you. You are my mate.” He paused. “My mate. I’d die to protect you and so would Freddy.” From the expression on Simon’s face, Mitch could tell he didn’t understand. His heart broke at the lonely life Simon must have led to have no idea how packs operated, how mates connected. He took a deep breath and tried to stay calm. “Do you trust me?” he asked.
After a pause, Simon said, “I don’t know you. You brought me here when I was unconscious. You tied me up.”
“All true statements.” Mitch nodded. “But do you trust me?”
Simon gaped, shook his head, and said, “Yes.” He blinked rapidly, seemingly taken aback by his own response. The man could fight it all he wanted, but he was a shifter and he had instincts. Including one that assured him he could trust his mate.
“Good. Then trust me when I tell you that my brother is not a danger to you. He will collect your things and bring them here. He won’t touch them more than he has to. And he won’t come into this house without permission.”
“Permission?” Simon widened his eyes. “He’s the Alpha. He doesn’t need permission to do anything.”
“He was my brother before he was the pack Alpha.” Mitch slipped his hand to the back of Simon’s neck and massaged him. “Trust me.”
“If you’re wrong, he might punish you for helping me.”
Mitch threw his head back and laughed. “He can try. We haven’t had a good wrestling match since we were kids.” Chuckling, he pressed his palm to Simon’s back and once again led him out of the room.