“I felt him join us. He’s strong. Really strong.” Logan smiled wide. “He fits, Kate.”
She sighed. “I know. I want him for us. But he’s new. It wouldn’t be fair to stifle him when he can have anyone.” She paused and smirked. “But then, wearethe best pack in the clan. Why would he want anyone else when he could have us?”
Logan laughed and swung her around. “That’s what I’m thinking.” He paused. “But he’s still guarded. Something in Kellen is keeping him apart from us. Even when we eased him the other day, he was afraid to let go. Afraid to take charge.”
She nodded. “I felt that too. But is he afraid to submit or afraid to dominate? He’s strong, no doubt. But so careful with Jesse. With me the other night.” She sighed. “He’s powerful yet gentle inside, and I get the feeling he was hurt badly. Intimately.” Poor Kellen, living with Nev and Will. She could only imagine the hell that had been his life.
“Then maybe you should talk to him about it. The way he watches you when he doesn’t think you’re watching? He’s got a big crush, Kate. And he needs us. Someone has to protect his sorry ass, don’t you think?”
She nodded. “Do you think Jesse will be okay with us keeping him?”
“Honey, Jesse went after him tonight, directly disobeying Prime, and Kellen had Dante, another berserker, and a dozen Ravagers with him for protection. But our stubborn mate had to make sure Kellen would be okay. Trust me. Jesse is more than all right with bringing Kellen into our pack.”
“Okay.” She blew out a breath. “I’m going to fancy up the pack house. I’ll let you know when I’m ready.”
“Go for it.” Logan kissed her, the embrace deepening until a few Ravagers passing by made catcalls and suggestions of where Logan should be moving his mouth. Logan pulled away, panting. “You get me so hard, Kate.” He kissed her. “Figure out what’s bugging our new mate. I’ll keep an eye on Jesse.”
She smiled. “Love you.”
“Love you back.”
He left, and Kate got to work. One way or the other, she would get Kellen to open up about his fears, dreams, and hopes. And claim her pack for good.
* * *
Kellen felt protected and safe,the scent of pack surrounding him. Until someone poked him and shoved him out of bed.
He fell and swore. “What the fuck?”
Logan peered over the edge and smiled. “Sorry, big guy. Kate needs you at the pack house. Don’t worry. I’ll watch over our injured mate here.”
Kellen blinked. “Huh?”
“Kate. Pack house. Needs you.” Logan had the temerity to shoo Kellen away. “Go on.”
Kellen grumbled as he hit the bathroom before heading out to meet Kate.I’m a berserker. I have inches and muscle on the guy. Who is he to order me around?
Yet when Logan had mentioned “our injured mate,” Kellen had been bowled over. Longing filled him, a need for mates, for pack. To be claimed.
Something he hadn’t yet experienced and probably never would. If his time with Nev had taught him anything, it was that the weak had no place among their kind.
He found Kate in the kitchen of the pack house, looking over tile samples. “I thought you’d already picked your tile.”
She saw him and startled, then visibly relaxed.
“Are you okay?”
She sighed. “It’s been a long day. Can I get a hug?”
“Silly question.” He crossed to her and picked her up in his arms, hugging her and absorbing her strength. Herguerfelt like a burst of warm sunlight, caressing him all over. He sighed and leaned closer, inhaling her scent, tasting her on his every breath.
Just being close made his worries and fear fade, until nothing but Kate existed.
He set her on the kitchen island and continued to just hold her. And be held.
“I’ve missed you, Kellen.” She toyed with his nape, her nails scratching lightly.
His entire body turned to stone, his arousal impossible to ignore.
