“Why did you?” I ask.
“I saw something in your eyes that reminded me of me. You looked up at me, and I didn't sense fear. Everyone was leery of me, and most of the time, it was for good reason.” He chuckles. “But this little fox stared at me as if I were a hero. I guess I liked that feeling. I shoved everyone away, and I was lonely. While you locked yourself in your room, I stayed home as much as I could. I didn’t want to leave you alone, and I couldn’t understand why I cared so much.”
“I knew you stayed close, but not to that extent,” I whisper.
“I gave you the space you needed to heal, to trust me.”
“Coming home with you meant I already did.”
“I felt responsible for your mental health, yet I didn’t know how to help you.” His hand tightens on his cane. “I couldn’t relate to what you had gone through.”
“Heath, don’t you know, just by being there, you were doing everything I needed. You left food outside the door, and didn’t force me to talk to you. I needed the space, and you did it without thought. I will always be grateful to you,” I rasp.
He clears his throat. “I didn’t want you to be afraid. When you finally came out of your room, it felt like I had won a war. You sat across from me, and we ate together. Most nights, I ate alone, never allowing that kind of relationship. I hid you for so long because you needed to remember who you are. That moment in time didn’t define you. If I’m honest, I also wanted to keep you to myself. I hadn’t had anyone who was just mine since my family was alive. Every day, you opened up more, and it was like my life started to begin again. I think you helped me when I met Juliana. She became my world, yet my sister didn’t leave me.”
“I would never,” I say firmly. We have talked about our early days together, but never to this extent. I think we decided to leave it in the past.
“Everyone always left me,” he says quietly. “I swore I would protect you always. You were strong and resilient. It’s been anhonor to see how you have grown and found yourself again. I gave you the tool to defend yourself, but you did all the work.” He glances at Ezra, and I don’t try to wipe away my tears. “I really wanted to hate him. I feel like a father giving away his daughter. It’s annoying,” he hisses, and I laugh lightly. “I took my job as your protector seriously. I would have done it forever.” He shakes his head. “He’ll do it now. I’ve watched him…carefully. He would do anything never to allow you an ounce of pain. He loves you. I know the signs. Remember when you lectured me? I was struggling with giving in to the mating bond?”
“Yes, I remember.”
“Let him love you. Lean on him, Foxy. He will never let you fall,” he rumbles.
“I will.” I move toward him. “I hope you know how much I love you. Having a mate was the last thing I wanted. I compared every man to your example. Seeing you with Juliana reinforced the need to find someone as loyal and loving as you are. We are family, and I will always look to you for guidance. I will still come over for meals and conversation. Ezra will be with me.” I step close, lean in, and hug him. “You saved me then, Heath. You put me on a path that led me to my mate.” I ease back. “We know blood doesn’t mean anything, yet you bled for me. You killed the men who took away my strength.”
“And you bled for Juliana and me.” He squeezes my hands. “They didn’t take away your strength. You always had it in you, and you have proved that every day since.”
“I’m beginning to believe that,” I whisper.
“Ezra has shown you.”
“He has,” I say.
“He’s a good addition to the family,” he rumbles, stepping back. “Don’t tell him that. He needs to keep proving his worth to me.”
“I promise.” I smile.
“We will stay until he wakes up.”
“Thank you.”
He nods and tugs my hair before turning away, shutting the door behind him. I look at my mate, and my heart thuds. Moving around the bed, I climb on and lie against his good side. Resting my head on my palm, I stare at his face, hoping his eyes will open. Lifting my other hand, I brush his hair from his forehead. Hearing more about his younger years, his need to protect people makes more sense. Not many people go to the lengths he does for people he doesn’t know. I knew he was a good man when I learned what he did, but every minute since, he has shown me. Heath is right. I’ve held myself back. It hit me all at once when he was taken.
He is the man I love. I couldn’t go a day without him.
I bend my arm and lie down. I haven’t been paying enough attention to the emotions his mark is showing me. I know he loves me. His pain is lowering constantly, and I know he will be fine. I just have to wait.
I want my mark on his body, so he does not doubt my feelings.
I huff and brush my hand across my face. Something tickles me again, and I frown.
“Foxy,” Ezra chuckles.
Shit, Ezra. I lurch straight. “You’re awake,” I gasp.
“I am.” He smiles crookedly.
“Are you okay?” I kneel beside him and run my hands over him. “Is the pain gone? Did you heal?” I lift the sheet from his chest and lean over, inspecting the wound. “There’s still blood.”
