Page 42 of His Sold Fated Mate

“I told you I’d find you.”

He moved off the wall, taking a step toward the bed. I felt every muscle in my body stiffen up. I could smell his cologne, and it made my insides flip. I couldn’t breathe as he stopped at the edge of the bed. He gave me his cruel smile. “Time to come home.”

I screamed as he moved closer to me. I didn’t want to go back. I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life running. Not when I was starting to feel human again.

“Aubrey!”

I jerked awake, Klaus holding me against his body. His eyes looked at me, worried as he cupped my face. “Aubrey, you’re okay. Breathe for me.”

I looked around the room frantically, my eyes landing on the door. Mike wasn’t here. I couldn’t smell his cologne either.

Klaus’s eyes tightened. “Aubrey, talk to me.”

I placed my hand over my heart, feeling it was pounding away. I swallowed, trying to calm it.

“Aubrey, you’re sweating.” His voice softened, and his thumb stroked my cheek. “Talk to me.”

I looked at him, taking in the soft expression. I sank against his touch. “I just…” I licked my lips, trying to just breathe. I shook my head. “I’m fine.”

He frowned. “You’re not. Talk to me, Aubrey. Please. You’re shaking.”

“It was just a nightmare.” But it felt so real. I could see him and that damn smirk on his face.

“Aubrey.” Klaus pulled me into his lap. His arms were like walls around me. “Tell me.”

I swallowed. “It was about my ex, Mike. He’s the reason I was at the auction.”

“You’ve mentioned an ex.”

I nodded. “He wasn’t great… uhmm…” I swallowed. “Actually, he was pretty abusive.”

His face hardened. “What?”

I nodded. “I don’t have a great past. My parents weren’t loving. They had no money and blamed me for a lot of their problems. I left home as soon as I could.”

I hated how my stomach was twisting up. I didn’t like to bring up my past because it hurt so much. “I put a decent life together, and I met Mike. He seemed like the perfect guy. He was sweet and caring. He wanted to help me, and he love-bombed me.”

I felt tears form. “But he wasn’t who he said he was.”

Klaus wiped at my eyes, his jaw clenching. “Aubrey.”

I thought about all the fights, all the slaps, and every hit. It was like I could never break free from the pain. It followed me wherever I went.

He frowned. “Did he… force you?” He let go and ran a hand over his face. “Fuck, is this why you asked me to promise not to hurt you? He hurt you?”

I swallowed and slowly nodded my head.

He rubbed a hand over his face, her teeth clenched together tightly. “Jesus, Aubrey. You should have told me this before we got into bed. God damn, I was not gentle like I should have been.”

I shook my head. “No, I liked it. Klaus, you weren’t anything like him.” He might have pulled my hair and slapped my ass, but he’d done it gently. He did it to turn me on, and it worked.

He sighed, pulling his hand up and cupping my face. His eyes softened once more. “Aubrey, he is never going to hurt you again. I promise.”

I shook my head. “You can’t promise that.”

“I can. You live in my pack, and you’re my wife. No one will lay a hand on you.”

I leaned against his touch and wanted to believe him. I wanted nothing more than to trust him. I’d been wanting a safe life where I didn’t have to look over my shoulder. I wanted what he was offering, but I didn’t know if I could ever have it.