“I’m Alan.”
Matthew looked relieved in a way that didn’t make sense.“Good.”He turned toward Franklin.“He’s fine,” he called out.
Franklin finally moved toward them.Alan wasn’t sure he wanted to talk to him.He felt vulnerable enough with one unknown man standing by him.Unfortunately for him, there wasn’t much he could do.His car was wrapped around a tree, so there would be no driving way for him.
“Why don’t you grab your stuff from the car?We can walk to the village, and you can sit down and relax for a bit,” Matthew suggested.
Alan shook his head.“I’m fine.I need to go.”Except that he couldn’t go home because Victor knew where he lived—and because he didn’t have a working car anymore.What the fuck was he going to do?
“I don’t think you’re fine,” Matthew said gently.“We don’t have to call the cops if you’re uncomfortable with that, but I really believe you need to sit down.You’re pale.”
Alan stared at him.“Why do you care?”
Matthew hesitated, clearly unsure if he should say what was on his mind.Alan felt like he was about to explode.Was this guy working with Victor?Was he Victor’s long-lost child or something?
“Alan,” Matthew said gently.“I care because you’re my mate.”
Chapter Two
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MATTHEW WOKE UP STILLfeeling overwhelmed.He wasn’t sure he’d slept more than a few hours, which wasn’t surprising.His wolf had been pulling at him to go to their mate, even though they knew that Alan was safe.
Last night’s events had been a bit of a mess.Matthew and Franklin had jumped into action when they’d seen Alan’s car spinning off the road and hitting a tree.They’d seen how the car following him had pushed him off the road, so Franklin had been ready to step in if that driver tried anything else.Matthew had gone straight to Alan’s car to get him out, and when he’d opened the driver’s door, he’d gotten the surprise of his life.
His mate was driving the car that had just crashed in front of him.
Considering what he’d seen, Matthew had been worried, and he still was.He wanted to know why the man in the second car had been attempting to hurt his mate, but Alan hadn’t said anything yesterday.Matthew should probably have waited to tell him he was his mate, but he’d been overwhelmed and worried.
He still was.Alan had been more or less calm until Matthew had told him that.Once Alan had found out that Matthew was his mate, though, he’d started freaking out, to the point where Matthew had needed to call for help.He would have, anyway.Rikar needed to know what had happened so close to the village.Whatever had sent Alan running, it couldn’t be good.If the tribe was in danger, Rikar needed to know.
But they hadn’t been able to get anything out of Alan yesterday.Rikar had managed to calm him down when he’d explained who he was.It had been enough for Alan to trust him, which made Matthew slightly jealous, even though he understood.Alan was surrounded by people he didn’t know.He’d almost died, and his car had crashed into a tree.A man he’d never seen before had told him they were mates.
Talk about being overwhelmed.Only half of that had happened to Matthew, and he still felt like it was too much.
He clutched his cup of coffee with both hands and closed his eyes, breathing in and out.
He’d met his mate.That was a good thing.He was happy about it.He hadn’t thought it would happen anytime soon, if ever, and he’d resigned himself to being single for a while, but his mate had crashed into his life—literally.They’d had a rocky start, sure, but Matthew couldn’t lose hope.Alan had barely even talked to him.Matthew needed to give Alan and their bond a chance before he started worrying about being rejected.
There was a quick knock on his back door.Matthew looked up to see Franklin staring at him through the window.He waved at Franklin to come in, and the door opened.
“How are you feeling?”Franklin asked as he walked in.
He’d been there yesterday to see the disaster happening between Matthew and Alan.He’d walked Matthew home after they’d retrieved their clothes, and Matthew would be eternally grateful for that.He also liked that Franklin hadn’t asked questions yet.It was obvious he had some, but he’d just been there for Matthew.
“Overwhelmed,” Matthew confessed.
Franklin nodded as he gestured at the coffee pot.“Can I?”
“Yeah, of course.”
Franklin poured himself a cup of coffee after finding a cup in the cupboard.It gave Matthew a few more moments to gather his thoughts.
“So, your mate,” Franklin said as he leaned back against the kitchen counter.“Bet you didn’t see that one coming.”
Matthew snorted.“That’s an understatement.”
“He’s cute.”
