Page 13 of Delivered to My Beasts (Mail-Order Matings #22)

Duke

It wasn’t often that another person’s words disgusted me to the point of physically becoming ill, but today was one of those days.

At first, it all sounded like something right out of a romance novel. The male was searching for his mate. He didn’t know what happened to her and was desperate to find her.

From the gossip at the gas station, this male had been on the brink of tears as he went from place to place, pack to pack, inquiring about his mate.

He seemed so sincere, and one woman wiped away a tear of her own, wishing that the male would be successful.

Even going so far as to say the whole ordeal had given her new hope for love.

When I got to the hardware store, I was picking up some things for the house when I saw some young wolf males in a group, heads together.

They were right next to the rope.

“Has he found anything?” one of them asked as I hovered. I wasn’t really into drama but even I was interested.

“No. Did you see him? Even pretending to cry in front of that old lady to try to get her to feel sorry for him.”

“Mateo? That fucker. I can’t believe he pulled that shit.”

Another one laughed. “He’ll do anything to get Imogen back. He can’t wait to get ahold of her. And let us have a turn while he’s at it.”

“I don’t know what kind of alpha he will be. He’s kind of a little bitch sometimes.”

“Don’t you dare speak about your future alpha that way.”

I could’ve stayed longer to hear the rest of the wolf drama unfold, but I had enough information. Plus, the way they were talking about my mate made me want to show them exactly why the rumor about us being beasts was true after all.

I made quick work of getting the few things we needed, ignoring the looks from those who knew who I was or guessed by the scent of bear on me.

We tried not to go into town during the day, but today, I was buying things for my mate.

Groceries, mainly. Our female loved breakfast, and I’d made it a point to cook up a proper one every morning since she’d arrived.

She didn’t look as gaunt anymore, and that made my bear very happy.

She’d brought life into our home. Her laughter filled our house with joy, and I longed for the sound of her voice. Her presence. Her smiles.

I wanted to make her smile as much as possible. Selfish of me, of course. They were sunshine to me, and I craved their heat and warmth as my bear did outdoors.

I wished I had stayed longer and put eyes on Mateo, and now that I was on my way home, I slammed my palm into the steering wheel.

If we knew what he looked like, at least we would know the enemy if he dared come near our home.

I got home in just over half the time, speeding the whole way, even on the mountain road.

I needed to make sure my mate was well. We hadn’t mated yet, and we bore no marks, so the bond we had through our animals was weak—intact but weak.

As soon as I got out, Imogen came running out to the front porch. She wore shorts with a hoodie and socks only. The look on her face was pure fear.

“What?” I called out. “Did something happen?”

“You happened,” she said and, as I approached the steps, she practically launched herself at me. I caught her midair and she wrapped her arms and legs around my torso.

“What did I do?” I asked, chuckling. She wasn’t mad, only worried.

“You were gone for a long time and I was afraid something would happen to you. That Mateo would attack you.”

I wrapped her up tighter in my embrace while the others came out, smiling like goons. We were all happy for each other. “She’s been worried sick,” Jax said, shaking his head.

“Your lack of confidence in me is bruising my ego, female of mine.” I hadn’t meant to call her that but I never minced words. She was mine and I was hers. Saying it out loud wouldn’t change that.

“I have confidence in you,” she said, pulling back. “I really need a phone so you can call me.”

“We can get you one. Now, should I carry you inside, or you want to help me with the groceries? I got you some pastries.”

“You did?” Then she kissed me right on the lips.

“I did. I expect a better thank-you later.”

She blushed in my arms. “I can do that.”

We brought in all the groceries and other items, along with packages and the mail I’d picked up.

Only one thing left.

“I don’t want to scare you anymore, Imogen, but I have to tell you what I heard in town.”

The color drained from her face immediately. I hated to do that to her but she also needed to know. Keeping it from her and my bond brothers did nothing to help us. The threat was near and Mateo hadn’t quite given up on her.

“What is it?” She reached for Crew’s hand.

“I heard that he was in town looking for you. I also overheard some of his betas, I’m assuming, talking about you. One of them said he thought Mateo wouldn’t be a good alpha.”

“He won’t be without me,” she whispered. “He can’t be alpha unless he’s mated to me. Those were my father’s terms. And the elders. It’s how he and my father cooked up the transition without a challenge. He wouldn’t mind not having to pay the money for me though.”

Jax shook his head. She hadn’t told us that detail before. “Well, that makes more sense. He wants you because of status not love or wanting to be with you. No wonder he was so callous. He was using you.”

“Do you think he’s close?” Imogen asked, trembling. Her scent soured.

“I don’t know but I really don’t think he would come up here, not with our reputation. Imogen, I was thinking, we don’t know what he looks like. Do you have any pictures on your phone?”

She nodded. “I do. But I turned it off and took out the SIM card. I thought maybe he could trace me here.”

“Can you get it? I’d like to see who I’m protecting you from, who we are protecting you from. We can see the pictures you took without putting the SIM back in.”

She rushed upstairs. As soon as she was out of sight, Crew and Jax leaned in. “We have to be diligent,” Crew said. “I put more cameras up. He would be stupid to try anything but it doesn’t sound like his elevator goes all the way up to the top floor.”

I shook my head. Thinking about something happening to our mate…no way in hell. Wasn’t going to happen. I didn’t want to think about killing anyone but no one would threaten my mate.

We only got our mate a few days ago and I’d be damned if anyone took her from us.

“If he tries, it might be the last thing he does.”