Tortured Mate (Sassy Ever After Universe #62)(5)

Valac bolted up out of bed, the echoes of Aeron’s words rebounding in his head. He glanced around the small cabin as he took in deep breaths trying to steady his nerves. He was safe, Aeron couldn’t get him here. He just had to keep reminding himself that as his breathing slowly came back to normal.

“The water will be cold this time of day, but you’re welcome to wash the sweat pouring off you while I make breakfast,” Cadence called from somewhere in the cabin. He hadn’t had time to explore it yet, but if this area was any indication it wasn’t that big or fancy. “There’s a towel in there already. Jericho had some supplies dropped off for you as well. They are in the bag on the floor beside you.” She finished.

Valac pulled himself to a sitting position and waited to see if the exhaustion would hit him as it had the night before. To his relief, he felt only a slight dizziness that quickly subsided. He leaned over and grabbed the bag. He was delighted to see not only clothes but toiletries as well. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been able to take a real shower let alone use soap and shampoo. How quickly life’s little luxuries fell by the wayside when you're on the run for your life.





Chapter Four


Rogue hated feeling so conflicted. His wolf and his heart wanted its mate. His head knew Cadence was right. Valac wasn’t ready for that. He was fighting a battle that only he could fight, it didn’t mean that Rogue had to like it. That was what being a mate meant, being there, helping your mate face whatever came at them. Being a team.

He hadn’t meant to howl the night before, but he could feel his mate’s pain, fear, and exhaustion. It had taken everything he had to keep his wolf in control and not to barge in and offer what comfort he could.

“Wolf?” Cadence called softly from the porch steps of her cabin. “He’s in the shower, it was a rough night. He cried out many times through the night. He looks like the hounds of hell were on his heels all night. I know nothing can get to him on this land, but I can’t protect his mind. I fear they are attacking him there.”

“What can I do? How do I help him?”

Cadence sighed, “I’m not sure. Give him a few days and let’s see how he adapts. As soon as I think it’s safe I want you to claim him. He’ll need your strength to overcome this. Once you have the connection, you can stand beside him and help him fight their attacks. Until then, I’ll do my best to make a potion to counteract or lessen their grip on him.”

“Jericho could talk to us before he was pack. You can talk to us. Why can’t he? Can’t you give him something so he can?”

Cadence sighed regretfully, “I wish it was that simple. I know not of any potion that can accomplish that. As to his powers, I can’t tell fully what they are, maybe one day he will develop that ability as well. For now, give it time.”

“That isn’t good enough.” Rogue snarled, “I can feel his pain, his fear. We have to do something, let him know we won’t let him go back there ever again.”

“Before the night falls, go and give your Alpha my thanks for patrolling the area. My wards are strong, but it never hurts to have the Wolfe pack with their keen eyes and sense of smell here as well. I promise you, nothing will touch your mate while he’s here with me.”

Rogue nodded, turned and bounded off to find Tristan and Barbara Wolfe. The pack Alpha and his mate. As soon as they’d heard Rogue had found his mate and what the deal was, they’d done everything they could to help ensure his safety. There was no pack like the Wolfe’s anywhere in the world. It hadn’t mattered one bit that his mate was a demon. If you were lucky enough to find your mate, you held on for dear life and thanked the fates for putting the two of you on the same path.

“Rogue, is everything all right?” Barbara called as she opened the back door that led from the kitchen.

“Cadence sends her gratitude.”

Barbara chuckled, “That’s all? I thought something was wrong the way you came racing towards the house.”

“I’m in a hurry. I want to get back. I don’t want to be far away in case he needs me.”

“Honey, have you considered shifting and talking to him in person? You can go in and have a visit with Cadence and be close to him that way without giving away he’s your mate.”

“No, I can’t do that. I …. What…. No.”

“Oh baby, when are you going to believe me. You have nothing to be ashamed of, you don’t need to hide. He’s going to love you, as much as we all do. Don’t hide who you are, love. Your voice isn’t as bad as you think it is. Give him a chance.”

“I’ve got to go back. Who’s patrolling tonight?”

“Shaari, Brogan, and Jericho are going to start off. They will be switched out with Rook, West and a friend who recently moved to town. His name is Keaton, he’s a bear shifter.”

“They know I’ll be out there?”

“Of course, they were told to check in with you, so you’ll meet them. Now one more question before you head back to your man.”

“No.”

“No, what?” Barbara asked with a laugh. “I can’t ask you a question, really?”

“Ha. I know you. No, you can’t do whatever it is you are already planning to do to embarrass him. Don’t think just because I don’t talk to the town’s folk much that I don’t know what exploits you’ve been up too.”