He dropped the act instantly. He shifted back to human form to be at eye level with me and gave me a stern look. "River, that was too dangerous. I know these men are aggravating, but you can't let your temper get out of control."
"Why not?" I snapped.
"Because they'll hurt you."
I let out an irritated sigh. "They've already kidnapped me and locked me in a cage. What else could they possibly do?"
Castor put his hands firmly on my shoulders and forced me to meet his gaze. He looked serious. "Don't say things like that. You don't know these men, and neither do I. We don't know what they're capable of. Didn't you hear what he said about the buyer?"
I frowned, then nodded.
"They're going to sell you off like a piece of meat," Castor said. "They don't care what happens to you as long as they get their money. That's dangerous."
As the adrenaline faded from my body and Castor’s words sunk in, fear rushed back. I whimpered and fell into Castor’s chest. "I hate this," I muttered.
"I know," Castor murmured, stroking my hair.
Panicked, I looked up at him. "You're not going to let the buyer take me, right?"
"Of course not."
I sighed and buried my face in his collarbone. I already knew it. I just needed to hear it again.
I realized a moment later what I was doing. Even when we were trapped in the same cage together, we were never this physically close. Right now I needed Castor’s warmth and affection. If he wasn't here, I don't know what I would've done. I didn't want to think about it.
"Tell me what you need," Castor ordered. His tone was firm yet gentle. His orders were completely different than the poachers’. For one thing, I actually wanted to obey Castor. It was strange. Normally I hated being bossed around or being told what to do, but when it came from Castor's lips, I enjoyed it. He took the pressure off me, like whatever was happening wasn't my responsibility. He would take care of it.
"Just… hold me," I said softly. "Please."
"All right."
His comforting arms wrapped around me, holding me close. I closed my eyes and inhaled the scent of him. He smelled amazing. He had the telltale floral notes of an omega mixed with the musky, masculine scent of an older man. There was nothing else like it. It was intoxicating.
I breathed out contentedly. The dingy bathroom faded away. I forgot the poachers, the buyer, the cage, everything. As long as I was here in Castor's arms, smelling his scent, nothing else mattered.
"You smell good," I murmured, not caring if it was embarrassing to admit.
Castor's chest rumbled as he laughed softly. "Thank you. You do too."
I smiled. It was nice to be told that.
"I've got you, River," Castor promised. "Just take a moment and relax. You don't have to worry about anything. I'm right here."
I believed him. As I exhaled, it felt like all my stress was being expelled. Castor was drawing it out of me and letting it vanish.
I curled up into a ball against his chest and soaked up his body heat. He was so warm. His presence was like a protective bubble that I never wanted to leave.
Castor kept stroking my hair in a calming rhythmic motion. It wasn't long before it lulled me to sleep.
12
Castor
Things didn't look good.River’s last interaction with the poachers didn't bode well for either of us. There was clearly no reasoning with the humans, considering they had no sympathy for River even when he looked human and spoke the same language as them, so that only left one course of action: escaping as soon as possible.
But the buyer threw a wrench into my plans. I'd intended to chew through the bathroom wall in my beaver form, but that might've taken days. Apparently, we didn't even have that long. I shuddered to think about what might happen if the buyer showed up and 'purchased' River. I didn't care what happened to me, but if some human thought they were going to possess my fated mate like property, they were in for a nasty surprise.
The argument left River exhausted. I doubted he’d had one decent sleep since being kidnapped and he desperately needed to rest, so I was glad—for more than one reason—when he fell asleep on my lap. Petting his hair and simply enjoying his presence made my day, despite the looming danger.
