“Taylor?”Jacob asked.
“You need to tell us what’s going on,” the alpha interjected.He was visibly worried and kept glancing at Ben as if ready to stop him if he was doing anything to put Taylor or the pride in danger.It almost made Ben laugh because he was too weak to even climb off the bed—or at least, that was what he felt like.“Why are you reacting this way?What’s happening?”Gal continued.
“I don’t know who he is or why he’s here,” Taylor said.He was still staring at Ben with wide eyes.
Ben wanted to reach for him.His mate’s reaction was hurtful, even though he could understand why Taylor was shocked.It wasn’t every day that someone found their mate hiding in the forest, and worse, that someone spent two days with their mate before finding out about the bond they shared.
“Can you tell us what’s happening, then?”Gal asked, sounding more gentle now.It was directed at Taylor, though, and Ben had no doubt that the alpha wouldn’t be so nice to him.
Taylor shook his head and pushed away from the wall.Tony had to quickly step out of the way to let Taylor pass as he ran out the door without looking back.
He was abandoning Ben.
Jacob went after Taylor without hesitating.Ben would have wondered about the relationship between them if he hadn’t known that Jacob and Tony were mates.They showed their bond when Jacob briefly paused and looked at Tony as if asking whether he should go.Ben wasn’t surprised when Tony waved him away.
“Keep me informed,” Jacob said before following Taylor out the door.
Ben held his breath.What was about to happen to him?Would he get kicked out of the house?Would he have to go back to living in the forest in his panda form?
He couldn’t do that.He needed to convince Taylor to give him a chance.It was the only way for him to be allowed to stay.
He slid to the edge of the mattress and pressed his feet to the floor.His legs felt weak, but he pushed himself up anyway.
Only for his knees to buckle.
He caught himself on the bed, but he wasn’t done.He couldn’t be.Taylor was out there, and Ben needed to reach him.
When Tony moved toward Ben, Ben cringed away, thinking that Tony would try to stop him.He didn’t force Ben to do anything, though.Instead, he offered him his hand and waited.Ben didn’t know what to do, but he did know that no matter how much he wanted to go to Taylor, he probably wouldn’t be able to do so without help unless he dragged himself there.He was tempted, but he hadsomedignity left.
“Let me help you back on the bed,” Tony eventually said, his voice so gentle that it made Ben want to cry.
“I have to go after him.”
“I don’t think you’ll be going anywhere anytime soon, unfortunately.I doubt you can even walk.”
“I’ll crawl.”If he could even do that.He’d find a way if he had to.
“You’ll crawl right back into bed,” Gal ordered.
He moved closer, and Ben surrendered.What would he do against an alpha?Gal reached down, and along with Tony, they got Ben back into bed.He was still naked, so he was grateful when Tony grabbed the comforter and wrapped it around him.He wasn’t cold, but he felt vulnerable and achy.He curled up as tightly as he could, needing the comfort.
“Can you tell us your name?”Gal asked.
Ben sighed.Taylor wasn’t coming back anytime soon, was he?Ben was going to have to deal with Tony and Gal on his own.He might as well tell them his name.“Benedict.”That wasn’t quite right because only Ben’s mother called him that.“Ben.”
“Well, Benedict Ben, welcome to the Green Hill pride.”
“I—it’s Ben, please.Only my mother called me Benedict.Thank you for taking me in.You didn’t have to, and I could have been dangerous to you and your people, but you still did.”Ben swallowed.If Taylor didn’t want him, he’d need a plan B.Maybe the pride would agree to help him contact his family.There was a chance Jimmy was watching them, but Ben would have to risk it.“I’ll be out of your hair as soon as I can walk for longer than thirty seconds without falling.”
“You’re not going anywhere until you can stand on your own two feet for far longer than that.It’s going to take a while, so you’d better get used to being here.”
Ben frowned.“You can’t keep me here against my will.”Not that he’d be able to do much if they tried, but still.
“I won’t if you want to leave once you’re feeling better, but I also can’t drop you back in the forest in the state you’re in.You need food and rest, and possibly, a doctor.I’d also like to know your story if you want to tell me about it.”
“No.”Ben wasn’t planning on telling anyone about Jimmy.He wished he’d never had to think about him ever again, but unfortunately for him, he kept seeing his ex in his nightmares.
Thankfully, Gal didn’t push.Ben wasn’t sure what he’d have done if the alpha had.He wouldn’t have to find out just yet, but he had no doubts that eventually, he would have to give these people an explanation.
