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"I'm sorry," I whined. "It's just... I can't help it."
Gabe took a few deep breaths and used my phone to call Jeremy. He quickly explained what had happened with Neil and that we were headed to Tumblewild. Whatever Jeremy said in return didn't sit well with Gabe. He tried to argue but eventually sighed and handed me the phone.
"He wants to talk to you," he grumbled. "Feel free to hang up on him if you want."
I took the phone from Gabe, careful to avoid touching his hand. "Hello?"
"Ella, are you okay?" Jeremy's voice was deep on the other end. Pure alpha.
"I don't know," I said honestly. "I just want to go back to Neil. Gabe took me, and he's driving me to Tumblewild. I guess that's what I wanted, but now I'm not sure."
A loud crash came from his end. It sounded like he must have thrown something. "Listen, Ella, this isn't your fault. You're in a really compromised position after being bitten, and Gabe's trying to prevent you from being tied to thatmotherfuckerpermanently. It will be rough for a little while, but it will get easier the longer you're away from him. Just... hang tight with Gabe until he can fix this. I'm going home to deal withNeil."
The alpha spat out the name of his beta like it was leaving a bad taste in his mouth. I hung up, trying and failing to ignore the throbbing between my legs. Eventually, I was able to fall asleep and find some solace in being unconscious.
When I woke up, it was dark outside. The day’s events had completely drained me, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. At least the desperation I felt for Neil was beginning to subside. While my arousal felt uncomfortable, it wasn’t unbearable anymore.
“Where are we?” I asked, sitting up in the passenger seat. It felt weird riding on this side of my car. I hadn’t done that since my mom had driven it.
“Bakersfield,” Gabe answered. He glanced at me, his expression tight. “Did the nap help?”
I nodded. “Yeah, I think so. My wolf is still really skittish.”
It was true; the animal was still hiding, not sure what to feel or how to react. Having a mating bite forced upon you had that effect, I guess.
Gabe pulled into the parking lot of a budget hotel. It was right off the freeway and looked a little rundown, but it didn’t matter. I glanced at the keys in his hand as he killed the engine.
He raised his eyebrows, hesitating. Always hesitating.
You know who never hesitates?
Neil.
I shook my head at the unwanted thought.
“I need to go inside to get us a room, but I don’t think leaving you alone is a good idea. Come in with me?”
I scowled. “What? Do you think I’m going to try and run back to Dark Claw? Try and find Neil to complete the mating bond with him?”
Gabe shrugged. “I don’t know. Are you?”
“No!” I said, feeling defensive and more than a little guilty. “Well…I don’t think so.” I slumped back in the seat.
Hey, it’s okay,” he said. He reached over to grab my hand, but I pulled away. The contact I had with him when he carried me out of the room was horrible and made me want to complete the bond even more. I wasn’t willing to risk a reaction like that again.
Hurt flashed briefly on his face, but he hid it quickly. “Come on, Ella. Let’s go and settle in for the night.”
The hotel only had one room available, but that was fine. Gabe wasn’t going to leave me on my own, anyway. We talked side-by-side until we found the door marked ‘A3.’ I wanted to take another shower, but neither of us had any clothes to change into. There hadn’t been any time to pack. I guess Gabe had abandoned his stuff at the hotel back in Dark Claw.
“This is it,” he said, running the card through the reader.He pushed the door open, and we both groaned.
Of course, there was only one bed.
“I’ll take the couch,” he said. The room was outdated, with a lot of burgundy and gold everywhere. I waved away his offer.
“It’s a king. We can both sleep on it and just make a mountain of pillows between us.”
Gabe shrugged. “If you think you’ll be alright, that’s fine with me. Are you hungry?” He held up an assortment of takeout menus that had been placed next to the phone.
