“With a kitchen knife?”
“I took self-defense classes. And I got lucky. He wasn’t expecting me to fight back.”
They did not look convinced. But they took the male away in restraints. Told Wen she would need to come to the station tomorrow to fill out forms. Asked if she wanted medical attention.
She declined. Said she was fine. Just wanted them to leave.
Finally, blessedly, they did.
The moment the door closed behind them, I shifted and strode into the living room.
Wen turned. Saw me. And her composure crumbled.
I crossed to her in three strides and pulled her into my arms. She sagged against me immediately, her whole body shaking.
“I was so terrified,” she whispered against my chest. Her voice was small. Broken.
I held her tighter. Buried my face in her hair. Breathed in her scent, reassuring myself that she was safe. Whole. Mine.
“I am sorry,” I murmured. “I should never have left you. Should never have gone so far. I will not make that mistake again.”
“You couldn’t have known-”
“I should have known. I should have been here. If anything had happened to you...” I could not finish the sentence. Could not even think about it without rage and terror warring in my chest.
She pulled back slightly to look up at me. “But you were here. You came back. You protected me.”
“Always.” I cupped her face in my hands. “I will always come for you, little mate. Always protect you. That is my vow. My promise. For as long as I draw breath, no harm will come to you.”
Tears gathered in her eyes. She nodded.
And when she pressed her face back against my chest, I held her through the trembling. Because that was what mates did.
They protected. They cherished. They held each other when the world became too much.
And I would be damned if I ever failed at that again.
12
— • —
Wen
He lifted me into his arms before I could protest. Just scooped me up bridal-style and carried me toward the bedroom.
“I can walk,” I muttered.
“I know.” His voice was quiet. “But I need to do this. Please.”
I didn’t argue. Couldn’t, really. My legs felt like jelly anyway.
He laid me down on my bed with a gentleness that seemed impossible for someone who’d just beaten a man half to death. He tucked the blanket around me, smoothing it with careful hands, then stepped back and started to leave.
My hand shot out and grabbed his wrist. “Stay.”
He froze. Looked down at where my fingers wrapped around his arm. “Little mate-”
“Please.” The word came out smaller than I intended. “I just... I feel safer when you’re here.”
