Page 93 of Awakening His Mate

Son of a bitch.

He’s a kid, and logically, I know this, but my jealous head rears at how comfortable he is around my woman. I bare my teeth at him, which makes him snort before pushing off the truck and wandering over to Archie and Beck.

Dove smirks, as if sensing my attitude and I tighten my grip, keeping her close as we pass several buildings. The gazes of men and women, some tau, some wolves, and one human-wolf hybrid follow us, like we’re behind glass in a zoo. So many scents come at me that it’s hard to distinguish them all, but it seems so normal, so calm and quiet. I don’t see anything that hints at underlying danger.

Callum leads us to a mid-size building toward the side. The architecture gives the impression that it was designed for functionality, not aesthetics. There are no porches wrapping around the front or the back. There isn’t even a path that leads to the door. We are standing in mud and dirt.

We are definitely not at the Sanctuary anymore.

We wait as Callum takes a bunch of keys from his pocket, needing a moment to find the right one before he slides it into the lock. He steps inside, and Cade follows, keeping Halle pressed against his side. Clearly, my alpha is not taking any chances.

The room we step into is large. There is a U-shaped couch in the middle and a large LCD TV hanging on the wall. The furnishings are basic but seem comfortable.

Callum leads us through the building, showing us a large kitchen with wood-top counters and a side-by-side fridge. There are double doors that look out over another building, but no yard.

Upstairs, there are six bedrooms, half of which have their own bathroom, while the rest have to share. There is also a laundry room.

“I’ll leave you to get settled.” His eyes move to Tessa. “I have a doctor who can take a look at you, if you need it.”

She glances up at Abel, and I can see the indecision warring in her. She wants to know if her baby is okay, but the thought of strangers coming here, touching her—I can understand how that would make her reluctant.

“She’ll see the doctor,” Abel says after a moment.

“Try to get some rest.” Callum smiles. “If you need anything, I spend most of my time in the main building. You can’t miss it. It’s the biggest one in the whole place.”

“What exactly are we meant to do now that we’re here?” I ask, glancing around the space.

“For now, nothing. You rest, you rebuild your strength after the fight we just had. Once you’re back to full health, we will talk. There are always things to be done around here.”

“When exactly do we go against the Order?” Apryle questions.

“I get that you’re eager to take them down. We all want that, but we have to ensure the least amount of casualties. As soon as we’re ready to make a stand again, you will be the first to know.”

He slips the key off the ring and hands it to Cade. No one speaks until we hear him step out of the front door and shut it behind him.

“At least they put us together,” Apryle says, glancing around. “I was worried they might separate us.”

“I wouldn’t have allowed it,” Cade assures her. “Wherever we go, we go together.”

“I’m not exactly a part of your little tribe, though, am I?” I lift my gaze to her, and I’m a little taken aback by what I see.

I’ve never seen the sassy girl look so scared. Her fear is palpable, so much so that I can smell it on her.

“You’re part of our tribe,” Roux tells her, sounding indignant.

She doesn’t argue, but I can tell she doesn’t believe it either. Roux pulls free from Sawyer, grasping her biceps between her hands. “Apryle, you’re part of us. We’ve been in this together since the beginning.”

For a moment, Apryle allows us to see her vulnerability. It shimmers in her eyes as her throat bobs before the shutters slam back into place. “I can take care of myself.”

“I know,” Roux says, “but you don’t need to. You have us.”

“She’s right,” Halle says. “You’re one of us.”

A smile spreads over her face before she ducks her head, hiding it. “Right. Okay then.”

“We need to find Wyatt a bed,” Tessa says, her hands hovering close to him as he sways in Sawyer’s hold.

“Halle too,” Cade murmurs, and when she gives him an indignant look, he adds, “Baby, you’re dead on your feet.”

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