"I'm weak.I couldn't curse you if my life depended on it.I can't fight you, I can't challenge you, I can't win against you."
Ezra's voice rose with each word, and Rourke reached over and covered the hands he was wringing on his lap with his."Shh.I will fight for you, I will win for you, and you won't ever have to fight against me because I'm your mate."He caressed him with his thumb."Strength isn't about being able to cause harm, and everyone has a role to play.They're poorer without you, and I think Jiprix has realized it.The question is what will happen when the others do too."A chill shot through him at his own words.He hadn't contemplated it.He had only wanted to comfort Ezra, but what would happen when they realized his worth?He needed Ezra by his side all day, every day.
"You're mine now.I'm not giving you back."His hold on Ezra's hands tightened then he remembered all the cuts and let up a little.
"They don't want me back."
But cold fear slithered through Rourke.Would they consider getting Ezra back worth restarting the war for?Because Rourke would fight.He was not giving him up.
* * * *
Chapter 17
Ezra stared at the bag Rourke pushed at him.Inside was a pair of striped pajama bottoms.They exited the shop and headed into another one across the street.He kept close to Rourke, nervously looking around.He'd never been here, and he hadn't been prepared for all the people moving around.
Rourke towered over them, and more than one person gaped at him.Ezra didn't mind.It meant they weren't paying attention to him, at least not until Rourke grabbed his arm and pulled him closer."Do you need any clothes?I'm grabbing a couple of T-shirts for me."His breath was tickling his ear, and he shivered.Rourke must've noticed because he cupped Ezra's neck and caressed him with his thumb.Or maybe he did it for no reason at all.
"I have clothes."
"I'm well aware, but I tore one of your shirts.Pick a new one."Then he let go of Ezra and headed to a shelf with what Ezra assumed were T-shirts.
Dazed, he remained in the same spot.Pick a new one?How?
"Can I help you?"A young woman with pink hair and a nose piercing smiled at him.He noted a name tag on her chest which had to mean she worked here, right?
"I...eh...I'm looking for a shirt."
She nodded."Button-down?Or more like...This just came in."She walked away, and he hesitated for a moment before following."It has some cool details."She grabbed a black shirt with a flowery pattern in blue and purple on the inside of the collar and the plackets."Nice, right?"She beamed at him."Since you're all dressed in black, I assume it's your preferred color."She raised an eyebrow in inquiry, and he nodded.
"Figured.But this is black, and the colorful pattern only shows if you roll up the sleeves."She showed the inside of the sleeves."It livens things up a bit."She held one against his chest and nodded.Then she looked around the shop."I have a black shirt with a mandarin collar over here."And then she was off again, still holding on to the shirt with the flowers.Ezra followed her and watched as she riffled through the shirts.
"Here!"She held one in front of him.It looked to be his size.She pushed it against his chest, then swapped it for the flowery one."I'm in favor of the first one, but you're the one who'll wear it.Do you want to try them on?We have fitting rooms over here."And off she went again.
"Eh..."
"In you go."She motioned at an empty booth and more or less shoved the shirts into his arms.Ezra let out a shaky breath as he found himself alone in the tiny room.
He removed his shirt but kept the T-shirt underneath on, then he tried on the one with the flowery details.He liked it, but he'd never worn anything with flowers on.
"How's it going?"
He jerked at the woman's voice."Good."
She opened the door, and he almost squawked.
"Oh, it's perfect!Cool."
Cool?Ezra wasn't cool.
"Try the other."She pulled her head out and closed the door.His hands shook slightly as he unbuttoned the shirt and put the other one on.
"Are you decent?"She opened the door before he could reply.
"Hmm.It looks good.A little plainer, but it emphasizes your frame."
Did he want to emphasize his frame?No one in the pack could've missed how scrawny he was compared to them, but did he want to enhance it?
Rourke towered over the woman."Looks good."
