Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 64948 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64948 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
“The fuck you are,” Rafe snaps. “And you know you can’t let her see you like that.”
I raise a brow, because that’s not true. If Charlie were some random human, yes. I couldn’t let her witness my healing process. But Charlie is my mate. I plan to tell her what I am, just as soon as I don’t think it will send her running. Still, Rafe is probably right. This wouldn’t be the way I’d choose to tell her.
But the thought of delaying our date another day makes me want to punch a hole through the wall of this plane.
It turns out the point is moot, though, as we climb out of the plane. Charlie texts me back: I’m not feeling great today—a stomach thing. Can we wait?
Sure, I text back, but my wolf snarls at the idea of her not feeling well. The need to shift immediately and run straight to her makes me have to stop and close my eyes, drawing deep breaths into my still healing lungs.
“You okay?” Deke lays a giant ham-hand on my shoulder.
“Yeah. My mate isn’t feeling well.”
Fuck. I didn’t mean to say that. I haven’t told the rest of the guys about Charlie yet.
Deke’s brows slam down. “What now?”
I shake my head. “Nothing. Nevermind.”
“Uh-uh. You said mate. Who the fuck are you talking about?”
I grit my teeth. “She hasn’t accepted me yet,” I mutter.
“Who is it?” Deke demands, now attracting the attention of Channing, too. At least Rafe is off wrapping things up with the pilot.
“I need you both to shut the fuck up.”
Channing folds his arms across his Hollywood pecs. “We’re not moving until you spill.”
“It’s Charlie.” I look at Deke, begging him for something, I don’t even know what. He has a human mate. I’m hoping he’ll somehow know how to save me from the agony I feel right now. I’m dying because I haven’t claimed her. I’m dying because I haven’t seen her in ten days. And I’m especially dying because now she’s told me she’s not feeling well.
My need to go and help her, to protect her, overrides all reason.
Deke’s eyes widen. “Sadie’s Charlie?” he asks.
“Yeah. We hooked up.”
Deke’s eyes narrow with doubt. “I don’t know why the fuck you started any conversation about your mate with: we hooked up. Only you, asshole. Are you sure she’s your mate? I mean…”
I snarl and fist his shirt, even though I’m in no condition for a tussle and I’d never win against Deke—he’s huge. “You think I don’t fucking know that?” I get my face right up in his grill. “I fucked it up royally. I didn’t even recognize my own damn mate until I had her naked and beneath me, and now I don’t know how to change her opinion of me.”
Deke’s expression softens to sympathy. “Aw, shit, Lance. You didn’t.”
I nod, miserable. “I did. My teeth came down to mark her and then I finally figured out why I’d been so hot to nail her.”
“The lady-killer finally gets what’s coming to him.” Channing chortles.
I want to punch him in the face. “There is nothing fucking funny about this situation.”
Channing smooths his smile down. “Right. I feel your pain, man.”
“No,” —I shake my head— “you don’t. You don’t have a fucking clue.”
“Right. Well, that’s true.” Channing still looks like he’s enjoying the hell out of this.
“Well, I’m sure it will all work out,” Deke says, but doubt drips from his voice. “Maybe just try to get to know her before you get horizontal with her again.”
“Yeah, no fucking duh.” Great. I sound like a fourth grader. This female makes me lose all brain cells.
Rafe comes over, and we pick up our bags and hike off the tarmac to the parking lot where we left the Humvee.
“Drop me off somewhere I can shift,” I tell Rafe, who slides behind the wheel.
“What? Why?”
When I don’t answer, he twists in his seat to look at me. “No.”
“Just let me out.”
I hear his teeth grit, and a growl starts up in my throat.
I expect Rafe to really throw down with me, but he goes easy. “Seriously, dude? You’re gonna stalk her mail route again?”
“Fuck you.” Definitely still a fourth grader. I didn’t know Rafe knew I’d been stalking her.
“Don’t let anyone see you, asshole.” He pulls off on the side of the road where I can disappear into the sage brush. “The only reason I’m letting you do this is because being in wolf form is the fastest way you’ll heal.”
I should say thanks, but since our parents’ murder, his concern for me is suffocating. It’s hard to always be the little brother. He bears all the responsibilities in the world. I hold none.
“See ya.” I shift and run, my wolf practically frantic to catch Charlie’s scent.
Chapter 8
Charlie
My hands tremble as I dump the contents of the plastic bag out on my bed. I just bought every brand of pregnancy test they had at Walgreens. I’ve been queasy for a couple days now, but I didn’t think anything of it, not until I full-on puked on my route this morning and realized my period is also late.