Page 38 of Knot Your Pawn

Mine.

My mate.

Nobody touches my mates!

I freeze as I realise what just happened and so do Caleb and Derrick. I hadn’t planned to do that.

I just...

It just happened.

I shouldn’t growl at him. He’s not a danger.

Then why do I feel this tight sensation in my chest?

Why is another growl ready to break out if Derrick dares to make any move in our direction?

“I’ll walk us home. It’s not that far and the quiet will help her relax.” Caleb’s voice is controlled, almost calm, though I feel the tension in his muscles.

“That seems like a good idea.” Derrick still looks surprised as he takes a few steps back, his eyes on me wary.

He knows very well that I might be small, but I’m not harmless, and a warning, even if it’s just my instinct doing it, not my rational brain, is one to take seriously.

I want to tell him how sorry I am for growling at him, but I know that the moment I open my mouth, I’m going to cry and I really don’t want to cry right now.

Everything is strange enough as it is. I don’t want to cry in front of Derrick or any of the other people who aren’t from my pack. I don’t want to.

Not tonight.

Not now.

“Can you let the others know that I’m walking Vera home?” Caleb talks to Derrick as he starts moving in the direction of our house.

He’s carrying me with one arm as he uses his other hand to tuck me against his chest more, trying to hold me against him as much as possible, letting me only focus on him. Wrapping me in his pheromones, a protective bubble.

Once the only sounds around us are the wind through the trees and some night birds, his grip on me eases. “What’s going on?”

“I don’t know.” My voice hitches. “I have no idea why I feel like this.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know.” I have no idea how to explain it. Just that it doesn’t feel good. Like I’m stretched too thin, like everything is too loud and the world is too rough.

Everything seems wrong.

I hate it.

Tears slide down my cheeks and Caleb carefully wipes them away. “Things have been pretty hectic the last few days. You’re probably tired and just need a good night’s sleep.”

I nod, though I don’t think that’s all of it.

It doesn’t feel like that’s all of it.

Something feels off.

“This might help her.” Jorge’s voice is nearby, waking me up from a light slumber. And the next moment I’m covered in blankets that smell like all of us, like my whole pack, probably from the nest or the bed.

Caleb shrugs them off, his pheromones agitated. “We’re almost at the nest. Covering her in blankets is only going to delay us getting there. Don’t do things that get in the way. It’s not helpful.” His voice is short, sharp.