Colton looked at Slate, seeing the guilt embedded in his face. “It wasn’t your fault. I left the apartment when a child came to the door, saying you needed me. I had my doubts, but instead of calling you, I left with him.”
“You’re wrong. I should’ve taken you home once I found out who you were.”
“No, Slate. You did nothing wrong. I was wrong to trust a child. No, the person who’s responsible for this is Pablo. He kidnapped and sold me. Why? I don’t suppose we’ll ever know.”
“Maybe, but we figured it out and captured him. He’s locked up in restraints so he can’t shift.”
“Was he responsible for the attacks?”
“I don’t know yet. After he was captured, our focus was on finding you. But I’ll be questioning him, soon.”
“Good to know. But don’t saddle yourself with useless guilt. It’s not good for your health. Trust me, I know,” Colton said with a sad smile.
Steel spoke up, “Colton, Ian…if you are ready, let’s head to the airport. My plane is ready to leave.”
“What about my stuff at the apartment? My laptop, camera, clothes…”
“I’ll pack it up and get it to you in a couple of days,” Slate said.
“Thanks.” And as he reached out to give Slate a bro hug, Colton smiled at his mate’s low growl.
Chapter 18
After saying good-bye to everyone he worked with at the hospital, Colton led Ian to Slate’s jeep, opening the door to let his mate in. Sliding over beside him, their thighs touching from hip to knee, he took Ian’s hand into his own, needing to make contact with him. He was disappointed he hadn’t claimed his mate yet, but they would be home shortly and he could use the flight to plan the claiming.Wow! A Mate!He still found it hard to believe.
Ian was glad Colton was beside him because his feelings were ruffled. For two hours, he’d stood by while wolves hugged his mate farewell. Intellectually, he knew these were people Colton worked with during his time in Mexico. But no matter how he tried to justify his mate touching others, he couldn’t. He sighed internally, unwilling to let his mate know just how upset he was.Thank goodness we’re done and on the way home.Ian opened his hand, intertwining his fingers with Colton’s. He loved the smoothness of his mate’s skin and couldn’t wait until they were both naked on the bed with Colton fucking him. That thought had him squirming on the seat as his hole clenched in anticipation.
Colton could sense his mate’s troubled feelings and guessed they were caused by the many hugs he received. Unhappy as he was about his mate’s distress, they soon would be home where he would show Ian how much he loved him.W-h-h-at? Love? I love him already?Colton examined his heart, savoring the love for his mate there. The past few days taught him how precious life was, so not wanting to delay his declaration until they were home, Colton leaned over and whispered in his mate’s ear, “I love you, Ian.”
Ian’s head whipped around. Searching Colton’s face, he saw the truth of those words reflected there. He felt the love for his mate swelling his heart as he thought about the last few days. Even before he came to Mexico, Ian knew he loved Colton. For four long weeks, while he waited at the pack house for his mate to come back to him, Ian learned about Colton, especially from Cody and Carson.
Once he found out Colton was a triplet, Ian knew what his mate looked like and his dreams had a face for the man who appeared nightly. But, those dreams were a poor imitation of his mate in real life. Colton was handsomer than Cody or Carson and Ian didn’t understand why everyone said they were identical.
When his fangs had sunk into Colton, he felt the love their wolves had. And then he felt the love for his mate erupt as it poured out of the place in his heart where it had been locked up so very tightly. Looking at Colton, Ian’s eyes softened, his lips parted and his moist pink tongue darted out to lick them before he murmured, “I love you, my mate. I pledge you my love, my loyalty and my support now and forever.”
Colton’s cock grew, his breathing quickened, his wolf howled and his heart melted as he heard Ian declare his love for him. And now he understood. He was always supposed to have a mate—the other half of his soul. A person whose love filled in the cracks of his heart made by careless and hurtful words; someone who was there for him above all others. He never realized how important a mate was. All those years spent spurning love only to realize it was the only thing that mattered.
His eyes darkened to obsidian as the need to claim his mate rose and filled his body. Panting, he reached over and ripped off Ian’s t-shirt, tossing the shreds of it to thefloor. Lunging at his mate’s neck, Colton’s fangs dropped down and sunk into Ian’s neck.MINE! ALL MINE!!Pulling back, he threw his head back and howled—a howl of triumph, of love, of warning and of ownership. He dared any wolf to touch his mate!MINE! ONLY MINE!!!Gathering Ian into his arms, he lifted him and placed his mate on his lap. Whispering words of love into Ian’s ear, Colton held his mate tight.
Steel and Cody stared at each other as Colton’s howl echoed off the buildings. Turning toward the jeep, they saw Ian sitting on Colton’s lap, shirtless with a fresh bite.
Cody smirked. “I guess he couldn’t wait after all.”
“Shit, we’ve got to go,” said Slate, impatiently, “or next thing you know there’ll be fresh cum in my Jeep and I don’t want to be the one to clean it.” He stared at Cody.
“Hey, don’t look at me. My brother can clean it up.”
“When are you joining us up north?” Steel asked Slate.
“Soon, I’ve got to deal with Pablo. I don’t think he acted alone.”
“Yeah, I agree. Let me know what you find out.”
“Will do. C’mon. Colton and Ian will want to finish their claiming sooner than later and I mean it about no cum in my jeep unless it’s mine.”
The three of them climbed into Slate’s Jeep, joining Colton and Ian. Slate took his time and drove carefully, mindful of the two lovebirds in the back seat.
“What are you going to do with Groose’s team once everything is wrapped up here?”
