To Tame His Mate (4 page)

“She’s hurt and in trouble. Damn it, I’ve been so caught up in helping her and making her comfortable that I never noticed the bonding.” The connection that formed between two destined mates was the most amazing thing to their kind, and he’d been too distracted with everything happening that he’d failed to see what was happening between them. Then again, judging by her reaction, she hadn’t been all that aware herself. Kneeling beside the couch, he placed the back of his hand to her forehead. Her brow was damp. “Get a cool rag.”

“What do I look like…?”

“The bastard that’s getting a fucking cold rag, that’s what you look like.”

Abraham put his hands up and beat a hasty retreat.

Erik looked down at the woman before him. The bonding was a sure sign of a soul mate. Once they made love, the bond would be complete, and he’d be able to sense her feelings even from a distance. It was why werewolf bonds were so special, and the reason they remained joined for life. Only the death of a mate could sever the connection. When werewolves finally mated, their souls merged, bringing them closer than the mind could fathom. They became two halves of a whole, completing each other in the most intrinsic and intimate fashion possible. They became one.

The thought of the other alphas trying to force a mating on her now filled him with even more fury. No doubt, they only wanted her for her alpha status to use as a way to ensure strong offspring, and knowing that he could have lost his chance before he’d even met her had his insides at a near boil.

Could this beautiful rebel really be his intended mate? Would she even want to stay with him? She’d mentioned her longing for a quiet life with a mate and cubs. Perhaps he could convince her—given time—that she could trust in him to bring her the future she craved.

He’d sure as hell do his best, but first, he had to get her to wake up.

“Sarah? Sarah, wake up. Everything’s all right, I promise.” Nothing. “Come on, it’s just me, Erik.” Damn, he thought it was just the panic that had caused her to faint, but what if there was more to it?

She shifted and whimpered, no doubt hurting herself as she tried to get up.

Abraham hurried back into the room from the kitchen holding a damp rag and leaned over the back of the couch to place the cold cloth on her forehead. As both men watched, her eyes fluttered open.

* * * *

“This can’t be happening,” she groaned. How embarrassing to have passed out in front of these two?
Way to show your strength
. She’d only been conscious now for a few minutes, but their hovering was beginning to make her feel a bit stifled.

“I’m sorry. I’ll confess that I’m just as shocked as you are.” Erik did look a little unsettled. Perhaps, he really did feel as off-kilter as she did.

“I don’t doubt that.” Sarah heaved a defeated sigh. “At least, you’re a nice guy.”

“Sarah, I won’t try to trap you by any means. You know where I stand on that.” He sounded offended, could have been slightly pissed. She focused on him. Yup, it was both.

“Listen, don’t get pissy with me. I’ve spent my whole life running from men who want to shackle me down, and now, I’ve landed my broke-down-ass in the same house as my soul mate.” She ran her fingers through her hair, removing the cloth and looking into his eyes. “It’s a lot to deal with, not to mention the fact I can’t defend myself right now.”

“You know I won’t let anyone get to you, right?” Erik picked up her hand and held it between his much larger ones. “Hear me out. All I’m asking for is a chance. I promise you’ll have every freedom that you could crave, no packs and only the occasional family visit.”

“Well, there is one thing in your favor,” she offered, “You
asked
instead of demanding.”

“So you’ll think about giving this a shot?”

Sarah took a moment to run through everything that she knew about this man. It wasn’t much, but even a little could go a long way. He was kind, yet stern when needed. He’d helped her when he could have turned her away. He, like her, wanted nothing to do with pack life.

Huh. All-in-all, he was perfect for her. It didn’t hurt that he was amazingly good-looking, either. The fact that she could sense his emotions, however vague the feelings may be, was a sure sign of a bonding. How she’d missed that before, she’d never know, but now, she had a choice to make. Did she stay and see what could develop between her and Erik, or did she get herself patched up and haul tail?

There was no immediate threat to her freedom since a mating wasn’t set in stone until the deed was done, so-to-speak, so perhaps she would give this whole thing a shot. If he turned out to be an ogre, she could always bail, though for some reason, Sarah just couldn’t picture Erik that way.

Ugh, she was so confused! Why did this have to happen now?

Right now, however, he awaited her reply.

“I’ll think about it,” she answered softly.

“If you two are done with this shit, can someone explain to me what the hell is going on?” Abraham towered over the back of the couch, arms crossed over his chest.

“Later.” Erik grabbed some of her clothes from the laundry basket before carefully picking her up in his arms and heading for the hallway. “I’ve got to get her to the clinic.”

Sarah watched over Erik’s shoulder as Abraham’s face suddenly transformed. Interest sparked in his eyes, and his features softened a bit before he caught her looking.

Hmm. So maybe the Neanderthal had a weak spot.

“I’m not really comfortable with being out in the open and not able to fight if I need to,” she confessed.

“I’ll be there, so there’s nothing for you to worry about.”

“But…”

“I’ll be there, too,” Abraham rumbled, following them.

“That would be good.” Erik entered a guest room and set Sarah down in a fancy, cushioned, high-back chair. “I’ll be just down the hall. Can you manage this?”

Sarah couldn’t help it and blushed clear to her roots. She absolutely hated asking for help with something so simple, but in the end, she knew it was necessary. “If you could help me get my pants to my knees, then I can manage from there. It hurts to bend that leg at all.”

“Absolutely.” He turned. “Abraham, meet me in the living room.” He shut the door behind his brother then returned his attention to his robe-clad mate. “I promise not to look, just let me get these up to your knees, and then we’ll stand you up.”

She knew her face must resemble a cherry tomato because she could feel the heat from her blush. “Thank you.”

“It’s not a problem,” he replied as he slipped her panties up her calves.

“Maybe not to you, but it means a lot to me that you’re doing this.” He smiled up at her, and she noticed the pink in his cheeks. “Are you blushing?”

“Probably,” he admitted, returning his attention to her pants and, gently, working them up her legs. “These are loose enough to roll up, I think.”

“It’ll work.” She had her teeth clenched so tight that she feared she’d crack her jaw. Good lord, just the fabric brushing over her knee sent pain shooting through her leg. By the time he’d finished, she was panting. “Give me a sec.”

“Take your time. I’m in no hurry.” Erik placed a thick sock over her foot explaining, “These should keep your feet warm since shoes probably aren’t a good idea.” He eased the other sock onto her injured leg.

“Damn. I hope this small-town doc can fix this so I can heal.” She stood on her good leg to pull up her pants. “I don’t suppose that you have a pair of crutches anywhere so that I don’t have to be carried around like an invalid?”

“Sorry.”

“Yeah, I didn’t think so.” She sighed. “I’m sorry you have to cart my ass around.”

“It’s not like you weigh much. Like I said before, you’re underweight.” He placed his finger on her lips when she moved to reply. “I, however, have no problem pampering you and cooking for you. We’ll have you up to a healthy weight soon.”

“You don’t have to…”

“Let me. Just allow me to spoil you for a while. You’re free to decline anything you don’t like and to request anything that you want.” He cupped her cheek in his hand, his pale silvery-blue eyes locked on hers. “Here’s your first chance. I’m asking you, will you let me take care of you?”

Sarah found herself resting her cheek in his warm palm and looking into his earnest gaze. She was rocked by the honesty she found there. He really did want to take care of her. And after taking care of herself for so long, who better to let loose and give up some control to than her destined mate?

“I’ll give it a try.”

He smiled, and she felt compelled to add, “But don’t be surprised if I don’t accept things very graciously. It’s been just me, myself, and I for so long now that I’ve almost forgotten what it’s like to be around people, outside of bars and fight clubs.”

He was about to reply when Abraham yelled, “Erik! Mom’s on the phone.”

“Okay.” He turned to Sarah. “Just give me a minute, and we’ll head out.” With a few quick strides, he was at the bedside table retrieving the handset. “Hello, mom.” He turned his back, and Sarah quickly pulled on her bra and shirt. When he faced her again, she watched a small smile shape his full lips. One could learn a lot about a man by paying attention to how he treated his mother.

“I was about to head in to town, actually, so I’ll get back to you on that.” He paused while listening. “I’ve got someone staying with me for a while so please call me before you stop by.”

His mother? Coming here? Talk about not making a good first impression.
Why, yes ma’am, I’m the homeless girl that your son took in.
Yup, that would go over about as well as a brick strapped to a paper airplane.

“I’ll let you know, mom, but my guest is a private person.”

Uh, oh.

“All right, I’ll call you later.” He smiled, “I love you, too. Bye.”

Aw
. Okay, that was pretty sweet.

“I’m sorry about that. My mom was planning to visit, and I completely forgot.” He moved back to her and gently lifted her. “Let’s get you checked out.”

“You don’t have to put your mom off because of me. As much as I don’t want to be seen as the stray that was taken in, I’d never come between family.”

“A stray?” His brows lifted.

“Yeah, you know, first you find a homeless animal, take it home, feed it and then it just sticks around.”

His brows disappeared into his hair. “Is that what you think she’ll see?”

Sarah nodded, and he laughed so hard he had to lean against the wall for support.

Laughed? What the hell was he finding so amusing?

“My mom, like I already told you, will no doubt jump at the opportunity to fix you up with one of us.”

“Well, it looks like you drew the short straw on that one,” she joked.

“That’s not how I see it at all.” They were almost to the door when Abraham rose from the recliner, opened it and stepped aside. “Thanks,” Erik told him.

“We’ll take my Land Rover,” Abraham said as they headed outside. “She should be more comfortable in the backseat than in your truck.”

He had already pulled it up to the walkway and, now, opened the back door to allow Erik to set her inside. Luckily, the rain had stopped, and they weren’t getting soaked trying to get her situated.

“Thank you.” She scooted in, glad her smaller frame allowed the door to close without her shifting her legs.

“I’ll drive and drop you at the door.” Abraham climbed into the driver’s side even as he spoke.

“All right, I’ll call when we’re ready to be picked up.” Erik jumped in the front seat then turned to Sarah, “Are you comfortable?”

“As much as I can be.”

“It’s about a ten minute drive in.” Abraham pulled the car out onto the road. “I’ll go inside with you, too.”

“That’s not necessary,” Erik put in.

“I insist.” His tone left no room for argument, but with them both being alphas, that was exactly what would happen.

“That’s probably not a bad idea.” Sarah shifted in her seat so that she could face forward a little. “I really don’t do well with extreme pain.”

“But you fight for a living!” Erik couldn’t have sounded more surprised if he’d tried. “How in the hell can pain bother you when you fought all the time?”

“I never said that I cry or anything.”

“
You
fought for a living?” Abraham’s face was a mixture of amusement and disbelief.

“Yes. I’ve been fighting in underground clubs for years. Do you have a problem with that?” Oh, yeah, just like the assholes in the clubs. All he saw was a small female, not a threat to a big guy like himself.

Wrong!

“I don’t have a problem with girls fighting to defend themselves, but fighting for money?” He shook his head. “It’s not right. Women shouldn’t fight. That’s a man’s business. Umph!” Abraham’s head met the steering wheel before he’d even registered the movement.

“Man’s business, my ass!” Sarah’s face was red, her amber eyes shining like hot coals, and she felt a sudden spike of lust from Erik. Felt but ignored. She knew her temper was about to get the best of her, but damn it, this alpha was looking to be just like the other’s she’d encountered and she was going to give him a piece of her mind anyway. “I’m undefeated, asshole! I’ve escaped six packs where alphas tried to force a mating.
Six!
Not to mention the stupid bastards I have dogging my heels, which is why I have to fight for money. I can’t work; I can’t use my bank account or credit cards or they’ll find me. It’s been months since I’ve slept in a bed and years since I’ve felt safe, so don’t give me any shit about what I’ve had to do to survive!” She was panting, positively seething.

The Land Rover was pulled off on the shoulder. Abraham looked horrified by either her rant or what she’d done. Not that she gave a damn. Erik, on the other hand, looked proud.

A small trail of blood snaked from Abraham’s nose and over his lip. “I apologize if I insulted you, but was that necessary?” he grumbled as he wiped the blood from his face.

Sarah considered that for a moment before replying, “I feel a little better now, so, yes, it was.” She did feel better. In fact, she felt great…and horny as hell.

Shifting her focus back to Erik, she found him blushing like a little boy. “Sorry,” he mumbled and shifted in his seat.