“I’m here, Janie.” He stepped toward her.
Her eyes lit up. “What are you doing out here?” she teased in a gentle tone.
Those captivating blue eyes, that melodious voice… She had such an effect on him that he had to swallow before responding.
“I overheard Larissa tell Roman she was coming here. She said you sounded shaken.” He turned his hands palms up. “I wanted to see if you were okay.”
She smiled. “I’m fine. And you don’t have to protect me anymore, right?” She inclined her head in question.
“I don’t haveordersto do so.” His mouth curled up on one side. “That doesn’t mean I don’twantto make sure you’re safe.”
She beckoned him inside. “You’re always looking out for me. Come on in, Big Guy.”
That was the nickname she’d used since they’d met. As he walked past, her unique vanilla and rose fragrance reached him—the unmistakable scent of his fated mate.The one.
Although he’d grown aware of their soul-level connection back when he was guarding her, he couldn’t let her know. She’d been traumatized by what the demons had done to her and had so much to adjust to, among them learning that her best friend was a witch and that gargoyles and demons were real. She needed time, both physically and emotionally, to heal.
Instead, he’d vowed to be there for her in whatever way she needed and to protect her at all costs.
Once he stepped into her living room, which was a warm yellow like her sunny personality, he inhaled more deeply. He loved visiting her here. Not only did her scent soothe him but seeing all the little things that brought her joy made him happy. She had stacks of magazines on an end-table and a few paperbacks in different genres with bookmarks. She moved from one interest to another whenever she wanted; wasn’t stuck in stodgy routines and habits like him. She loved trying new things.
“Larissa.” Arto tipped his head at Janie’s dark-haired friend and Roman’s mate.
“Long time, no see,” she quipped.
True. He’d just seen her and Roman at the compound.
“Want some coffee?” Janie asked.
He shook his head. “I’m fine. Just came off patrol.” He’d only been at the compound a few minutes when he’d heard about Janie.
He sat on the sofa, and she sat beside him. He fought the urge to slide closer.
“I’m starting to feel foolish,” Janie said. “It was a silly nightmare about, you know…” She finished with a self-conscious shrug.
He clenched his teeth so hard it was like stone grating on stone.
Yes, he knew. Demons. They’d almost stolen her life force, they’d taken her to their realm, and one had planned to mate with her. But she was his mate.His shoulders tensed, and he struggled to rein in his rising fury.
“You haven’t seen any signs of them, have you?” Somehow, he kept his voice level.
“No.” She forced a smile. “Nothing to worry about, so I guess I should stop worrying.”
“That’s not always easy,” Larissa said.
“Especially when you’re alone at night,” Janie replied. “That’s when the monsters like to creep out from under the bed.” She released a grim chuckle.
Arto leaned toward her before he stopped himself. What he would do to be able to care for her; hold her at night and protect her from any of her fears. But he had to restrain that urge. She considered him only a friend, so that’s all he could be for her.
His feelings for her had grown with time, as he’d heard would happen from mated gargoyles. He already had a sense of purpose—protecting the world from evil—but now he also had a reason to live. To die. To burn and long and feel and yearn. Those reasons had taken root and grown since he’d met Janie, but he had to keep his feelings hidden as it was best for her.
And maybe it was for himself too. A form of self-preservation. After all, if he’d revealed his true connection to her back when he’d discovered it, there’d be no doubt she’d reject him. Although they’d grown closer, she’d told him she wasn’t in the right state of mind for a relationship and didn’t know if she ever would be. She’d said they were better off as friends.
A shifter stuck in the friend zone. That was something he could live with. It was more tolerable than to be outright rejected. A shifter rejected by his mate endured suffering that Arto didn’t want to begin to contemplate. At least he had hope—it might only be a tiny spark that one day she’d feel for him a fraction of what he felt for her—but that farfetched possibility was better than having his dreams snuffed out and destroyed.
“If you’re having trouble sleeping, I can stay here with you.” When Larissa eyed him with a speculative glance, he added, “Meaning, I can keep watch outdoors as I’ve done in the past.”
On an exhale, Janie deflated, leaning back onto the sofa. “You don’t need to do that. I know you have more important things to do than babysit me.” She tipped her head and gave him a conspiratorial look. “Besides, you still check on me sometimes, right?”
