Tortured Mate (Sassy Ever After Universe #62)(7)

“How do you know this?”

“Your wolf told me. He’s still close, watching you. He doesn’t like seeing you hurting.” Cadence cocked her head and glanced to Valac, “What’s happened?”

“Nothing, why? What do you mean? Is it Jericho?” Before Cadence could reply he used his link with his brother to call to him. “Jericho? Are you okay? What’s happened? Talk to me brother!”

“I’m fine, what’s wrong. Nothing’s happened that I know of.”

“No, Jericho is fine. It’s you I was referring too. Your wolf says you were upset.” Cadence clarified.

“Valac, damn it. What’s going on?” Jericho demanded, “you’re freaking me out here.”

“No, I’m sorry. Cadence was being vague and I thought something had happened to you. All is well here, don’t worry.”

“I’m on patrol tonight. I’ll stop in before my shift begins. You need me to bring anything?”

“I think you’ve done more than I could’ve hoped for. Thank you in case I didn’t say that before. I don’t know how this will end, but I’m glad I’ve gotten the chance to see you and to get to know you again. I’d love to see you and your mate together. Not that I doubted what I did was worth it or anything. But to see you two happy, together and safe would mean a lot to me.”

“Consider it done, but don’t think you’re going anywhere. I just got you back, I am not saying goodbye.”

Cadence laid a hand on Valac’s arm, “You talk to your brother through a mental connection, but can you do it with others?”

He didn’t mean to jump, but he hadn’t realized how close she was. “I’m sorry what were you saying?”

“I asked what had you upset earlier and if you could talk to others like you do Jericho?” Cadence repeated.

“I don’t know if I can honestly, though I admit I’ve never tried with anyone else. It was our way to stay connected when he was locked up and I was forbidden to see him. Why do you ask?”

“Your brother can talk to anyone that way. I can only talk to those who I have a close connection with. The Wolfe pack mostly and a couple others, but that’s the extent of my ability. From what I can tell it works for me when I have a high level of trust in that person.”

“So when you say you were talking to the wolf, you really were talking to him?”

“What did you think I meant? I’m a witch, not a mind reader. And if you’re not going to answer my earlier question, I’m going back to work.”

He wasn’t trying to evade the question, he just wasn’t sure how to explain that he’d had a meltdown born out of pity for a few minutes. Valac glanced down once again at the piece of wood in his hands before glancing back out to the woods. “Thank you for this. It’s beautiful and majestic.”





Chapter Six


Rogue was restless and cranky as hell. He’d spent all day alternating between patrolling the area around the cabin and watching his mate through the windows. The hours had passed slowly and painfully boring. His mate had returned inside the house after Rogue had snuck the gift to him. He’d waited, hoping Valac would come back out and talk but he never did. Cadence had sent him a message not to worry, that Valac was sleeping. But from what he’d heard that wasn’t very comforting.

The first set of night patrols was set to begin in a few minutes. Sharri had let them know they’d meet him in Cadence’s yard so both Cadence and Valac could meet them. They didn’t want Valac to get any surprises if he saw them in the woods.

“You’re back. I was wondering.”

Rogue wanted to reply to Valac so bad it hurt. To hear the happiness in his mate’s voice was a soothing balm to his frustration.

“I wish you could talk to me, wolf. I feel like an idiot sitting here carrying on a one-way conversation with you.”

Rogue attempted to laugh, but it only came out sounding like a chuffing noise. But if Valac’s amused smiled was any indication he’d figured out what Rogue was doing.

“Sure, laugh all you want. You’re not the one on my side. If I didn’t already know I was losing my mind, this might have been a clear indication. Or maybe it’s just the lack of restful sleep starting to wear me down.”

This was bullshit, there was no way no matter what Cadence said that he could sit so close to his mate and still be so far away. Without much thought, he climbed to his feet and moved slowly closer. The logical side of him knew that just because Rogue knew the two of them belonged together, it didn’t mean that Valac knew. Most people, even if they know of the existence of shifters were going to be a little leery of one approaching them. But then again Valac was a demon, so that went both ways.

“Well, hello there. I’m glad you’re beginning to trust me enough to come closer.”

That was it, Rogue thought. No way was he keeping whatever distance he was still contemplating now. He moved forward, climbed up the stairs and plopped down beside Valac. As soon as the man shifted to look at him better, Rogue took advantage and crawled a bit closer. Before Valac could say anything, Rogue had his head and two front paws draped over the man's lap.

“Can I touch you, I mean would it offend you if I …. Uh for lack of a better word, pet you?”