Unwanted Mate (The Alpha Shifter Collection)

Caspian himself had been twenty-one, so not a big gap in their ages, but it was enough. Sean was bleeding at the time, and he’d been led out toward a steep hill. The incline had been treacherous, and anyone who fell down wouldn’t have survived the fall. There had been a running fall right down at the bottom.

He’d gone to the same spot that day when three cars had dragged a bleeding, howling Sean out. The men had grabbed his arms and legs, and they were about to toss him over the side, but Caspian hadn’t been able to watch.

He’d killed the men that day, took all of their valuables, and snuck off with Sean, breaking into a cabin in the woods, and healed him. It was the first time he’d seen the unwanted mark on a person.

Each time he saw the brand from that day forward, it angered him. No, that was a mild word for what he felt.

He was repulsed by it.

Seeing it on Sofia’s neck sent a tidal wave of rage rushing through him. She hid the mark from the humans with a great deal of makeup, with the collar of her shirt, or a carefully placed scarf. At least that was what he’d seen in the past couple of weeks since watching her.

She captured his attention unlike any other woman.

She’s your mate.

But she still denied that claim, and he wasn’t going to force her to see reason, at least not yet.

He loved the feelings she inspired within him.

Arousal was a big part of it, but also intrigue. She made him curious. Sean had wanted to kill his entire pack. Most of the unwanted in his pack had wanted some kind of revenge, but not Sofia. She wanted her own life, and he didn’t get that.

Caspian glanced at Sean to see the man frozen to the spot.

“Don’t go back to that day,” he said.

He put his coffee cup down and sat on the table in front of Sean, putting his hands on the man’s knees.

Sean shook beneath his touch. “They…”

“Don’t think about it. Remember, you’re alive, they’re not.”

“They never knew true suffering.”

Caspian gripped the back of his neck, tilting his head back. “They were still alive when I sent them over the edge, Sean. You know this.”

Sean nodded his head and pulled away. “You’re right. I shouldn’t … why didn’t she want him killed? All of them killed?”

“I don’t know,” Caspian said.

“I’ve been there, Caspian. I’ve been the one they beat up. They weren’t happy with me. They wanted to keep on beating me, but it affected my transition.”

He pressed his head against Sean’s as he heard the sudden hiccup in his voice.

“Stop it now. You don’t have to think about it.”

“I never healed like her,” Sean said. “Her life had to have been worse. They had to wait until I healed. She … was so fast.”

“I know. I know.”

Caspian had held her during the nightmares.

“I need to go for a walk,” Sean said, suddenly standing.

They had gone through this many times together. Sean’s pain from his past was just too strong for him to get over. He allowed it to take over, and it was in these moments he had no choice but to go for a run or to find some way to walk it off.

“Will you be okay?” Caspian asked. He couldn’t go with him.

Sean needed the time alone.

“Yes, I’ll be fine.”

He watched Sean leave the apartment. The warmth that had once been present vanished.

Getting to his feet, he went to the coffee and took another sip. Sean would be fine. He never allowed it to plague him too much. He’d find peace and return. Caspian poured himself a second cup, and that was when he heard it. The whimper.

He put the cup down and went to her apartment.

Gripping the key, he inserted it into the lock and closed the door behind him.

Caspian smiled. He didn’t technically break into her apartment. He stole her key from her bag, and when she was distracted at lunch, he made a replica and returned her key.

Going to the bedroom, he found her curled up, whimpering. The nightmares were back.

Sofia may think she was fine and handling everything, but he knew differently. His precious mate wasn’t handling anything. She was fighting constantly.

He moved to the bed, lay down beside her, wrapped his arms around her, and tried with all his might to protect her. To let her know she was perfect and safe and would never have anything to fear again.

Chapter Four

The full moon was fast approaching.

It was the only reason Sofia could give for these feelings. The way her body seemed flushed.

Work was … challenging.

She was surrounded by men. The law firm she worked at had so many men, young and old. All of them fighting to help the victims.