Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 39650 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 198(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39650 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 198(@200wpm)___ 159(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
“Mates?” Simon’s mind swam, and despite being seated, he was dizzy. “Did you say mates?”
Mitch drew his eyebrows together. “You’re my mate. Can’t you sense it?”
He was tired, hungry, and scared. For as long as he could remember, all he’d been able to think about was keeping himself and his mother alive. Now she’d passed and he was alone, painfully, deeply alone. There wasn’t room in his mind for anything except self-preservation.
“Mate,” he whispered, his body trembling as he considered that possibility.
He was twenty-five years old. If he had grown up with a pack, he would have had relationships under his belt. As it was, he had been running since puberty, never staying anywhere for long, always remaining close to his mother so they could protect one another, and never risking her or himself needlessly. With every ounce of energy going to staying alive and with other shifters being a threat, Simon hadn’t given much thought to the prospect of mating.
“Shifters mate to grow the pack,” he said, more to himself than to Mitch.
“No,” Mitch barked.
The loud, angry, harsh sound normally would have had Simon running or bracing for a fight, but, strangely, he didn’t so much as flinch.
“Shifters mate to strengthen the pack,” Mitch said.
“That’s what I said.” He blinked up at Mitch and furrowed his brow.
“You said grow the pack.” Mitch slowly raised his hand and cupped Simon’s cheek. “The pack is strengthened by adding cubs and members, that’s true. But that isn’t the only way for a pack to be stronger. Mates provide for each other, nourish one another, improve each other. That makes the shifters stronger, which betters the pack as a whole. When the pack is stronger, each of its members benefits and improves. We’re all connected, like…a closed circuit.”
Mitch’s words put a new spin on what Simon had believed. He’d painted a picture of mating and packs that filled Simon with a sharp pang of longing. “I don’t need a pack,” he said the words by rote, no longer sure who he was trying to convince.
“Every shifter needs a pack.” Mitch focused sad eyes on him and brushed his fingers through Simon’s hair. “That’s how we’re made. We’re not solitary animals, and Omegas need a pack even more than the rest of us.” With Simon still on Mitch’s lap, their faces were already close, but Mitch leaned in even farther, his breath ghosting over Simon’s lips as he said, “I can tell you’ve been hurt, but I’m here now, pup. I’ll protect you.”
The idea that he could have a mate when he didn’t even have a pack amazed him. For that mate to be male was impossible. So impossible that it couldn’t be true. It was a trick.
“I’m no pup.” He scrambled off Mitch’s lap. “I’m a grown man, and I can protect myself.” He’d been doing it since he was a teen.
“I’m sure you can,” Mitch said placatingly. “But you don’t have to. I’m here now.”
He reached for Simon, and Simon slid off the bed and backed away, his hand raised protectively in front of him.
“So, what? You want to shield me from the big bad dangerous world in exchange for drawing my blood and…and…” Simon swallowed hard. “And fucking me?” He shook his head. “No thanks. I’ll take my chances out there. At least then I’ll have the possibility of staying safe.” He hit the wall and realized he had backed himself into a corner.
Looking ill, Mitch opened his mouth and then snapped it closed. He stood, and Simon huddled closer to the wall, hoping he didn’t look like he was cowering. After staring at Simon for a few moments, he walked to the other side of the room, and with his back to Simon, he rubbed his palm over his shaved head and down his nape.
Instinctively, Simon darted his gaze around, identifying exit routes. There was the door and the window. He was unlikely to reach either before Mitch could get to him. Normally, that wouldn’t have stopped him from trying, but instead of moving, he remained in his spot against the bedroom wall, watching Mitch.
“How about a deal?” Mitch said, the gruff voice quiet.
“I’m not going to let you beat me or…do the other,” Simon said. “Never.” He might not have a choice, he knew that. But he would never lie down without a fight, and he’d keep that fight going until his dying breath.
Mitch winced and shook his head. “Not that kind of deal.” He slowly turned around, his expression haunted and his face looking paler in the dim light of the room. “I’m not Alpha of this pack, but I’m damn close.” He licked his lips. “My brother wants the job. I don’t. But we’re a team.” He paused and wrinkled his forehead in thought. “That’s probably why we both got mates. We lead the pack together, which means we can do it well and still focus on mates.” Shaking his head, he refocused on Simon. “That’s not the point. What I’m trying to say is that the pack knows we’re both in charge.” He looked into Simon’s eyes. “You know how it is with Alphas, right?”