“I don’t know, Ben.”
“I want to see him.”
Tony grimaced.“Look, I haven’t known Taylor long, but he’s a nice guy.He wouldn’t have reacted that way if he hadn’t been just as confused and overwhelmed as you are.As far as I know, he’s straight, so you can imagine what’s going on in his head.”
Ben blinked.He hadn’t realized that Taylor thought he was straight.Ben was very much not a woman, so Taylor’s reaction made sense now, but the explanation didn’t make it any easier to accept.Ben was hurt by his mate’s reaction.He hadn’t expected Taylor to declare his eternal love for him, but he also hadn’t expected him to run away screaming for the hills.
Was being Ben’s mate that awful?For a straight guy, it might be, but there was no way Taylor could be straight if he was Ben’s mate.Taylor would have to accept that.
Now Ben felt guilty.Could he really ask that of Taylor?Eventually, yes, but right now?Ben should give Taylor space and time, and he wanted to, but he was also wary of spending too much time with the pride when he didn’t know them well.He didn’t think they would hurt him, but what did he know?They were strangers—nice strangers, but strangers nonetheless.Ben had no idea what Gal and Tony were really thinking, although he could take a guess.Gal had asked who was after Ben.He wanted to ensure that his pride would be safe, and to do that, he needed to know who was after him.
“He doesn’t want to talk to me?”Ben asked.He hated that his voice was shaky, but he couldn’t hide it.Maybe they’d think it was because he was hungry and weak.
“I don’t think that pushing him to talk right now would be the best idea,” Tony said.“Let’s give both of you a couple of days, okay?You can rest and start recuperating.”
“Here?”
“I’m sure Taylor will be fine with that, but I’ll tell Jacob to ask.In the meantime, why don’t I help you to the bathroom?You can take a shower while Gal grabs you some food from the kitchen.”
Ben blinked at the way Tony was casually ordering the alpha around.Gal didn’t seem to mind.In fact, he looked amused, and he winked at Ben when he noticed him watching him.Ben felt his cheeks heat, but he didn’t have the time to apologize.Gal was already moving toward the door.
“I’ll do that and see if I can find Jacob and Taylor,” he said.“Tony will take care of you, Ben.You have nothing to worry about with him or with any member of my pride.I promise you that you’re safe here and that you can take as much time as you need.”
Ben wanted to believe it, but he held himself back.He needed more time.He couldn’t afford to trust the wrong people.He already had, and look where that had gotten him.
Gal left the bedroom, seemingly unworried about Ben and what he would be up to if left alone.Of course, Tony was there, and considering the state Ben was in, he wouldn’t get anywhere even if he tried.He wasn’t even sure he could get to the bathroom without falling on his face.He’d managed as a panda, but the shift had sapped a lot of his energy, and he was weaker in his human form anyway.
“Let’s get you to the bathroom,” Tony said.
Ben desperately wanted to get clean.He hated that Taylor hadn’t been able to smell him because of how much he stank.Knowing that made his skin feel itchy.
He slowly stood, surprised when his legs held up.He was scared of moving, though, so he was relieved when Tony stepped closer and reached for him.He moved slowly, but Ben couldn’t afford to push him away.He wasn’t even sure he wanted to.
Tony wrapped an arm around Ben’s waist and paused for a second.Ben stayed where he was, biting his lower lip as he told himself he was fine.Tony wouldn’t hurt him.
“All right,” Tony murmured.“Slow and steady.”
It took them an eternity to reach the bathroom, and by the time they did, Ben felt like he was about to collapse.He wanted to cry, but he swallowed the tears.He’d wait until he was alone.
“Thank you,” he told Tony.“I’m fine now.”
“I’m not leaving you alone.It would be too easy for you to feel weak or faint and fall.You don’t need to add an injury to your problems.”
“I don’t need your help.”
Tony helped Ben lower himself to the closed toilet, but he didn’t straighten right away.Instead, he crouched in front of Ben and looked at him with an expression so gentle that Ben felt a tear escape.He reached up to dry it, but he couldn’t look away from Tony.
“It’s okay to accept help,” Tony said.“I understand that you don’t trust us.I don’t know what you’re running from, but it can’t be anything good, and I can’t even imagine everything you’ve been through.I realize this is hard, but I promise that no one here wants to hurt you.Gal wants answers so he can protect the pride, and I’d like to know if I need to be ready to arrest someone, but we can wait for answers.We won’t push, and we’ll give you all the help you might need.You don’t need to be afraid.”
Ben had been afraid for so long.He wanted to stop feeling that way, but he wasn’t sure he could.He’d thought he’d be able to when he’d met his mate, but Taylor had run, and now, Ben had no idea what to think or how to feel.He was tired, though.He was tired of running and panicking and not trusting anyone, not even himself.
“Okay,” he whispered.“You can help me.”
Tony didn’t gloat.He just smiled sweetly and pushed himself up, then turned toward the shower to start the water.Ben closed his eyes and leaned his head back against the wall.He hoped he wasn’t doing the wrong thing, but even if he was, what could he do about it?
Chapter Three
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