I step inside the house.
And pray I haven’t made another terrible mistake.
FOUR
Jameson
ThankGod she didn’t run.
The second Fern crosses the threshold on her own, my entire body finally loosens for the first time since she flew into my arms at the gate.If she’d bolted, I would’ve chased her.No hesitation.I would’ve caught her, wrestled her back inside, and—if that’s what it took—tied her to my bed until she came to terms with the truth that she’s mine.That I will protect her.That no one will ever touch her without going through me first.
My bear rumbles in sharp agreement.She chose us,he says.Even afraid, she chose us.
She chose safety, I tell him.
Same thing.
I want to argue that it was more her choosing self-preservation than us, but I can’t fight with him and my fated mate at the same time, so I let it drop.
Fern stands inside the doorway, eyes darting around like she expects someone to jump out at her.The house is quiet and the safest place she could ever be, but she doesn’t know that yet.
“Are you hungry?”I ask gruffly.
She hesitates, then gives a tiny nod.
I move into the kitchen, needing motion, needing something normal to anchor this moment.I throw together sandwiches and heat a can of soup—something fast and warm—while she perches stiffly at the edge of the table like she might launch herself out of a window at any second.
Once the food’s going, I step out onto the back porch and dial patrol.
“Stay sharp tonight,” I tell Abe as soon as he answers.“Cult’s going to realize I intercepted their girl.They might get sloppy.”
A low whistle sounds on the other end.I roll my eyes at Abe’s reaction.He’s my second in command, a wolf shifter.He likes to act as if he doesn’t care, but I know he’s a solid dude and has my back.He would be there for anyone in an emergency, so he’s a great guy to have for Midnight Haven.
“You sure know how to stir the nest, boss.”
“They’re agitated, they make mistakes,” I reply.“We catch more of them that way.”
“We’ll keep eyes everywhere.”
“Good.”
I end the call and glance inside to see Fern helping herself to the food.Fuck, she’s so cute.Her eyes dart out the window as she ladles soup into a bowl before retreating to the table.
I watch as she eats, slowly at first, then faster, as if she hasn’t had a meal in days.Maybe she hasn’t.How long was she held captive in that truck?
I swallow the sharp ache in my throat and call the doctor next.
“Hey, Jameson.I was about to call you.Heard you rescued someone,” Dr.Christian McAdams says.
“Yeah.I’ve got her here with me.”
“Are you bringing her to the cabin?Should I meet you there?”
“No!”I bark, then clear my throat and soften my tone.“She’s mine.She stays here.”
I don’t need to explain what I mean by she’s mine; he knows that I mean she’s my fated mate and doesn’t say anything else.
“Okay.I’ll head to your place.How is she?”
