With Bowen in my arms, I glanced across the boat where the creature who’d been held captive with Bowen sat, his eyes meeting mine before he looked away. He’d been rather quiet. I didn’t know what to make of him. I wanted to hate him for being the reason Bowen was captured, but my mate reminded me it wasn’t his fault. The guilt I felt coming off Bowen made my heart ache, though, and I didn’t know what to do about it except hold him close.
Once the boat was tied to the dock, the three of us got out, and I never felt more grateful to be back home than I did now, especially knowing Bowen was here and safe. Waiting for us at the end of the dock were Maxime, Kieran, Silas, Ash, and Zephyr. After he found us, he flew back to let everyone know what happened, and they sent the boat for us since he wouldn’t have been able to carry us all back.
Zee pulled me into his arms. “Gods, you scared the hell outta me, Wolfie. It’s good to see you’re in one piece after that fall.”
“Fall? What fall?” Bowen snapped his head up to look at me.
“It’s nothing.” When Bowen narrowed his eyes at me, I felt my cheeks flush and shrugged. “Sometimes the fastest path isn’t the easiest one. But it doesn’t matter. I did what I needed to get to you, and I would do it all over again.”
Zee looped his arm around Bowen and brought him into our embrace. Something about my best friendembracing my mate made my heart settle, and the sense of home felt even brighter.
Maxime cleared his throat, and we broke apart. His eyes were focused on the large being who stood behind us. “Who is this?”
Bowen held his hand out to the bull-man, but his brow furrowed. “I’m sorry, I don’t actually know your name.”
The creature snorted a huff through his nostrils, his golden ring in his nose twitching with the action. His eyes took in our eclectic group. I couldn’t begin to imagine what he thought of us, especially since he’d seen me in my werewolf form. He never changed, though. His head remained that of a bull’s, and I wondered if it was for safety or if he couldn’t change. Perhaps that was his permanent form.
“Bryan,” the beast said in a gruff voice.
Zee snorted. “You’re a minotaur named…Bryan?”
The creature narrowed his eyes at Zephyr before his gaze landed on Bowen’s. He spoke slowly as if he had to concentrate on the words. Keeping his attention on my mate, it was like he was urging him to understand. “I was named for a life I didn’t choose. Once I was able to choose my life, I chose my own name, too.”
Zephyr opened his mouth to respond, but Bowen elbowed him in the stomach, cutting off whatever comment he was about to make. My lips tugged upwards, loving that my mate had no qualms about stopping my friend’s loose tongue. My beautiful man lookedup at Bryan with sincerity. “I understand. Thank you for telling us. And ignore him. He’s obnoxious, but he means well.”
At that, the minotaur gave the first hint of a smile since I’d gotten him out of that mine shaft. Bowen faced the group. “Bryan was held against his will by the same being that took me. They’re gone now, thanks to Rudy, but I think he should stay here if he wants to. I know I’m the new guy and you all didn’t exactly ask me to be here or for my opinion, but there it is.”
Bryan’s large brows pinched. “Stay? Why?”
Bowen stepped away from me, and even though he was only a foot away, I already missed touching him. Forcing myself to stay put, I watched as he took his glasses off, rubbed the bridge of his nose, and put them back. I could feel the wave of guilt from him.
“I’m so sorry for what happened to you, and for the part I played in it. I… didn’t understand what they wanted me to do, and I thought I was helping. This place, well, it’s special. You’ve seen my mate and what he is. The others are all unique beings as well. They created a safe place for those like you. Unless you have somewhere else to go, I think you should stay. Don’t stay because I’m asking you to—I know you don’t trust me—but stay for your sake. I know they said you’ve been… hiding. But you won’t have to hide anymore.”
Bryan looked from Bowen to the rest of us, his eyes landing on mine once more, and I gave a slight nodbefore pulling Bowen back against my chest, needing to calm the ache he felt when he looked at the minotaur.
Turning his attention to Maxime, he asked. “Is it so?”
Maxime inclined his head. “Yes. The entire island is ours. We have an inn that is inclusive for beings of all types. There may be humans that visit, but I use my ability to influence to keep them from understanding or truly seeing anything that might seem out of the ordinary. If you wish to remain, you would be safe. As long as you have no ill intentions.”
The large bull’s head shook slightly, looking completely exhausted. His answer came, but I didn’t understand it. He spoke in a language that didn’t sound like anything I’d ever heard, not that I had a lot of experience with that. Surprisingly, Maxime didn’t seem to understand him either.
Bowen took in our lack of reaction and confused looks, and I could feel a sense of comprehension. “He said he has no ill intentions and that he’d like to take you up on the offer.”
Did he translate what the minotaur said? It wasn’t even animal sounds; it was a language. Pride bloomed through me as I tucked my mate against my side. He was incredible.
Maxime arched a brow at Bowen, but turned toward the bull. “Is that true?”
Bryan gave a curt nod.
“Very well. Come, let’s get you situated.”
He huffed in response, and we made our way back to the main building. My hand was on Bowen’s waist as we walked. When we neared the front steps to the lobby, I felt his body tense at my side. “What’s wrong?”
Bowen leaned into my side as he stared at the building. “I… don’t really want to be inside right now.”
“Okay. Where do you want to go?” Gods, I hated to see the hint of uncertainty in his beautiful brown eyes.
“I don’t know. Somewhere outside where we can see the sky.”
