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CHAPTER17
Gideon’s hands shook once again, but he didn’t let that stop him from letting them roam over Brie’s body. Walker had Healed every cut, but it didn’t seem as though it was enough. Gideon had to besurehis mate was okay. They sat in their bedroom, Brie on the end of the bed with Gideon kneeling in front of her. Finn and Charlotte had come and gone reassured that Brie was safe, yet Gideon wasn’t fully ready to accept that.
Brie let him touch her and hold her. She didn’t speak but rather kept her eyes on him, as if she was the one who needed to soothe him instead of the other way around.
That just enraged him further.
His wolf paced, needing blood rather than calm. They hadn’t finished their hunt and hadn’t caught Leo and made him pay for what he’d done to Brie. Shannon was out there as well. He might have cut the bond so she’d be in pain and alone without any help or care, but it wasn’t enough. He needed to see her die for what she’d done.
The elder had ruined so many lives, and it was his fault. He’d been forced to keep her as part of the Pack because of her position. She’d never technically done anything that warranted being shunned or executed. Because of that, she’d been able to weave her web of deceit for far too long.
Never again.
Brie cupped his face, and he finally looked into her eyes rather than at the wounds that had been Healed away.
“Gideon, my wolf, please breathe.”
He took a deep breath, his wolf more in control than it should have been. He let out a growl, but Brie didn’t back down. Instead, she slid her hand down his chest and stomach to the edge of his shirt. When she touched skin, he sucked in a breath but calmed somewhat. Skin-to-skin, he could think again.
“You can’t get hurt again,” he growled out.
She shook her head. “I might get hurt again, Gideon.” His chest rumbled, and her nails dug in, grounding him. “Our world is on the verge of something, we know this. Leo and Shannon aren’t done yet. I’m not going to sit back and let people die for me.”
He pinched her chin, forcing her gaze to his. “I cannot lose you. Don’t you get that? You weren’t supposed to be mine. I am, and will always be, too dangerous for you, but I’m selfish and want you anyway. Now that I have you, you cannot leave me. I’m not letting you go—and that includes you getting hurt because others want to take you away from me.”
Tears filled her eyes, and she leaned forward, forcing him to release her chin, and pressed her lips gently to his chest. “I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”
He shuddered out a breath then tucked her close, needing her more than he’d ever thought he’d need anyone. He kissed the top of her head, running his hands down her body once more, just in case he’d missed something the first four times he’d done it.
His wolf pushed at him, wanting more skin. He slid his hands up her shirt, the warmth of her body calming him yet, at the same time, pushing him closer to the edge.
“You can’t leave me,” he rasped out.
“We don’t let the others hurt our Pack, Gideon.”
“The Pack is part of me,” Gideon said honestly. “But they aren’t you.” He pulled away so she could see the truth in his eyes. “You weren’t supposed to matter this much. You were supposed to calm the bonds within the Pack. You weren’t supposed to be my heart.”
Brie blinked up at him, tears in her eyes. “I stayed away for so long because I didn’t think I was good enough,strongenough to be your mate.”
He growled. “You werewrong. I was wrong. You are stronger than any wolf I’ve met.”
She shook her head. “I wouldn’t go that far.”
“I would. It takes the strength of character, the strength of your heart to rule a Pack at my side without the urge to dominate.Thatis what makes you strong. That is what makes you mine, little wolf.”
“I knew you’d come and find me. I tried to get away on my own, and when I couldn’t, I did my best to keep calm and find another way out. No matter what, though, I knew you’d come.” She swallowed hard. “When I mated you, I thought I’d always be on the outside looking in. I never thought I’d trust someone so completely. I trust you, Gideon. With everything I am.”
He kissed her then, a sweet brush of lips as to not scare her away. “I love you so fucking much, little wolf. You’re in my heart, my soul. You are my everything. If anything happened to you, I don’t know what I’d do.” He let out a shaky breath, baring his soul in a way he never thought he would. “I love you, Brie Brentwood. I love you with every ounce of my being and my wolf. Love me back and I promise you I’ll do my best to see that you’re cherished and loved until the end of my days.”
Tears slid down his mate’s cheeks, and he kissed every one away, not liking to see her cry.
“Don’t cry, little wolf,” he whispered.
“I’m going to cry, Gideon. I’m going to cry a lot. More than once. I can’t help it. It’s who I am. But right now? I’m crying because I’m so happy. I never thought I’d find my mate.” She shook her head. “No, that’s not right. I found you long before you found me. I just never thought I’d let myself be caught.” She licked her lips, and his wolf brushed against his skin. “I love you, my mate, my Alpha, my Gideon.”
He took her lips then, unable to hold himself back any longer. He nipped at her lower lip then along her chin, loving the way her breath came in little pants. His tongue tangled with hers once he came back to her mouth. She tasted of sweetness and his Brie, a uniqueness all her own. He’d crave her taste until the end of time and never have enough of her. When he told her so, she clamped her legs around him, bringing him closer.
He stripped off her shirt and groaned at the sight of her lace-covered breasts, perky and full—perfect for his hands. She reached around her back, a sly look on her face, and undid her bra. When the cups fell, she slowly slid them down to reveal her luscious pink-tipped breasts. Unable to hold back, he cupped one in his hand, loving the weight. He brushed the tip with his thumb, and she sucked in a breath.
