Tao nodded, but still slowed the CAT down. “How far out is he?”
“Zhuang, how far away are you?”Xias asked.
“I can see the CAT’s taillights now.”
“Really?”Xias swung around and stared out the back window, desperately searching for his mate through the falling snow. He waved his hand at Tao. “Slow down. Zhuang can see the lights on the back of the CAT.”
Xias had told Tao to slow down, not stop, so he was surprised when there was a small jerk as the CAT came to a stop. He glanced at the man only to see him open the door and climb out. A moment later, the door closed and then Tao was walking toward the back of the CAT.
Xias couldn’t get a bead on Tao. He wasn’t sure if he was a good guy or not. Zhuang seemed to trust him, so until he knew differently, Xias would, too. He was still going to be cautious around the big man, but he’d give him the benefit of the doubt. One false move, though, and Tao would find out what it was like to face a pissed-off omega.
Many wouldn’t see that as a threat, but Xias had learned more things about inflicting pain on someone than he suspected Tao could even conceive of. He could take whatever the bigger man dished out. And then he would get his revenge using everything he had ever learned from Osamu.
Xias gasped when Zhuang appeared through the falling snow, a large red splotch on his fur near his shoulder. Xias quickly scanned him for more injuries but couldn’t see any. He hoped the one he could see wasn’t too severe.
When Zhuang reached Tao, Xias set Bai in the box with his sisters and then lifted the box into the back of the cab. He climbed over the seat so Zhuang could have the front seat. Zhuang was right. He’d never fit in back. The space was just too damn small and Zhuang was too damn big.
He had the blanket waiting for Zhuang when the man opened the door and climbed in. As soon as the door closed, Xias leaned forward and draped the blanket around Zhuang, trying to avoid the man’s injured shoulder.
“How bad is it?” he asked in a quiet voice.
“It’s already starting to heal, Xias.”
Couldn’t happen fast enough for Xias. Just the thought that Zhuang was injured sent his stomach into a knot. “I’m so sorry,” he whispered, knowing this was all his fault. “This is exactly what I didn’t want to happen.”
“Hey, hey.” Zhuang turned. “I’m okay, Xias. I promise.”
“Yeah, but—”
“No buts, baby. You didn’t do this, remember?”
Xias pressed his lips together. He wasn’t sure he agreed with Zhuang. If he had never met the man, Zhuang wouldn’t be injured. That kind of made it his fault.
Xias kept his lips pressed together when the driver-side door opened and Tao climbed in. He didn’t feel that it was right to talk about this in front of Tao. It was between him and Zhuang.
He glanced back at Zhuang when the man patted his hand. “What?”
“How are the cubs?”
Xias couldn’t help but smile when he looked down at the sleeping cubs, all curled together in their box. “Bai woke up a little while ago, but he’s already back to sleep.”
“How soon do you need to feed them again?” Tao asked.
“I think we’re good for another couple of hours.”
“Just let me know and I’ll pull over,” Tao said as the CAT started moving again.
“Xias, can you hand me my bag?” Zhuang asked. “I have a change of clothes in there.”
Xias quickly grabbed the bag and handed it over. Not only did he want Zhuang dressed so he’d be warm, he didn’t like the idea of his mate being naked around someone else. Shifters were supposed to be used to being naked around each other, but Xias couldn’t seem to stop the jealousy sending his stomach on a roller coaster ride.
Was this what it was like to be mated?
Chapter Eight
Zhuang glanced at the backseat. Xias had faded off to sleep a little while ago, and he looked utterly adorable with his hand tucked under his cheek, but the cubs were starting to wake up. Zhuang grabbed the box, brought it into the front of the cab, and set it on his lap.
“They sure are cute little things,” Tao said.
