Chapter Sixteen
George sat up when he heard the distinctive beep of the electronic lock being disengaged. Once he'd been taken into custody by Alpha Barker, he'd been brought to this room and left alone. He hadn't seen a single person in two days except for Sheriff Garret, who brought him his food. The man never spoke, just dropped off George's food and left.
Which made George wonder if whoever was coming in was coming to take him to his execution. He had broken clan law when he attacked Raymond, even if he wasn't part of the clan. It was still the law.
George's biggest regret was that he hadn't gotten a chance to say good-bye to Leon. He would carry the man's image into the next life, but knowing he would never touch Leon or smell him, kiss him, brought tears to George's eyes every time he thought about it.
At this point, he welcomed his executioner.
When the door opened and Alpha Barker stepped into the room, George scooted off the bed and stood. "Sir."
Alpha Barker nodded to him before glancing over his shoulder. "You have two hours. You won't be disturbed," the man said before walking out, closing the door behind him.
George frowned. Two hours?
He gasped when his mate walked into the room. "Leon."
Leon walked straight across the room to him. "Hey, babe." He raised a hand and brushed it against the side of George's face. "How are you, mate?"
George swallowed hard. "Mate?"
Since when?
Leon smiled. "Yes, mate. My mate."
Again, since when?
"What—" George licked his lips then tried again. "What are you doing here?"
"Where else should I be? My mate is here."
"Yeah, but…Leon, they're going to execute me in the morning."
Leon leaned in close then lowered his voice when he replied, as if he had a secret to tell. "They're not going to execute you, George."
"Yes, they are. I attacked Raymond. That's a crime punishable by death." Raymond had reminded him of that fact over and over again as they headed to the vehicles to drive to the mansion. The man had been practically gleeful over the fact.
"They are not going to execute you, George," Leon said again. "I won't let them."
"I don't see how you can prevent it."
Leon's grin grew.
George's eyes narrowed. "What?"
"We have two hours, love." Leon grabbed the hem of his shirt and pulled it up over his head before dropping it to the floor. "Do you want to spend it standing here talking or…"
"Love?" George whispered as his entire being stilled, even his bear.
"Yeah." Leon caressed his cheek again. "Love."
Tears sprang to George's eyes. "Oh."
Leon chuckled. "I declare my love for you, and that's all you say? Oh?"
George's bear let out a roar and urged him on. He grabbed Leon and swung him around before peppering his face with kisses. "I love you, too. So much. I never thought you'd say the words, let alone feel them. I just…" George shook his head, overcome by the emotions welling up inside of him.
"Does that mean you don't want to fuck me?" Leon lifted one eyebrow as he pulled a small tube of lube out of his pocket. "Because I brought you a little present."
