Page 10 of Denying Her Mate (The Wolves of Black Mountain #3)

Chapter 10

Roux

H ester is cautious as she approaches the Sanctuary. I peer through the windshield, expecting hunters to bleed out of the trees on either side of the road and attack. My magic gathers, ready, but nothing moves. My stomach rolls even so, and I grip the edge of the seat.

You’re okay.

Sawyer’s voice is faint in my mind, but it’s a reassuring presence. I should feel weird about him invading my space, but I don’t. I’m comforted.

I shouldn’t have told him about the evil thing I did to Edward, not like that, but part of me is glad it is out there in the open. There are no secrets dragging me down into the murky waters we’re wading through. Not anymore.

I don’t know what it means for us. I am still a danger to Sawyer. My magic has a mind of its own, and while it does, I pose a risk to my mate.

My mate…

That’s the first time I have considered him ours. My wolf stretches, whining as she does. Clearly, she thinks this is a good step. I’m not so sure.

Sawyer is a vargr, a wolf bigger and stronger than others. Maybe the universe put us together for that reason. He will always be able to defend himself from me.

A shiver climbs up my spine at that thought. I don’t want my mate to have to defend himself from me.

My thoughts scatter as we pass through the gate and I feel the wards surround us.

Safety .

The breath that seemed lodged in my chest finally loosens, and I’m able to draw air in without resistance. The sense of relief is palpable from everyone other than our little captive.

I glance at her, wondering what her story is. The chains I conjured around her neck and wrist are still in place, keeping her secure, and her head is lowered, her blue hair dripping around her face.

I have to remember this woman is a victim. I don’t know what the Order are doing to the tau they’ve captured, none of us do, but judging from the way this one is acting, it’s not good.

We owe it to her to protect her from those animals, but first we need to see how far indoctrinated she is by her captors.

I face forward as Hester steers the truck to the space right in front of the garage. As soon as the engine stops, everyone climbs out.

I wait near the side door in case she tries to escape, and I’m joined after a moment by Sawyer and Wyatt. Hester comes to the side door and ducks down to peer in at the girl. I wonder what she’s thinking, what she knows. Hester is mysterious and she doesn’t really tell us anything about what is going on.

That never bothered me until Sawyer pointed it out. Now it makes me question everything.

“Bring her inside,” Hester says, straightening herself.

Sawyer and Abel guide the woman out of the truck and, each taking an arm, lead her into the house. She doesn’t struggle or put up any kind of fight. Even a cornered dog fights back.

While I’m frowning at her, Tessa steps up to me.

“You okay?” she asks.

“I don’t know,” I admit.

“You told Sawyer about your chosen mate.” It’s not a question, but a statement. I suspected the others heard our argument, now I know for sure. “I wasn’t listening in,” she adds quickly.

“I’m sure the entire state heard us.” My voice is a little sour.

Tessa sighs. “Secrets between mates aren’t good, Roux. Abel tried to keep his business from me and it nearly destroyed us. Now we manage his moon sickness together.”

Tessa and Abel went through so much to get to where they are now. I understand why Abel hid it from his mate though. He was scared of hurting her. He thought he would be better off alone than risk harming the one person he was meant to protect.

That’s how I felt with Sawyer.

I don’t want to lose him, and I pose a very real threat to him.

“I was scared I’d hurt him,” I say.

“I know, but we can’t protect our mates from everything. We have to let them decide what they can handle.”

She’s right, but her words make me bristle.

“I killed someone, Tessa, and he was a strong wolf. I wasn’t going to let that happen again. I had Hester perform magic and try to stop me from recognizing my mate because I didn’t want to do that again. I know you think I’m wrong for that, but given the choice, I’d do it again rather than harm my mate.”

Tessa blows out a breath, her frustration evident in that gesture. “You don’t need to protect everyone.”

“So what happens the next time I conjure something without meaning to? What if I conjure something that hurts Sawyer?”

Surprising me, Tessa reaches out and takes my hand in hers. The softness of her skin against mine and the thrumming of our magic between us calms me. “This is different, Roux. Before, you were alone, and you had no one to step in if you accidentally called on your powers. Now, you have us. You have a strong coven that will always watch your back.”

That thought fills me with hope, but I don’t want to give into it too much. Hope can be as dangerous as the magic we wield. “You can’t be there with us all the time.”

“No, we can’t but we’re not far away.” Tessa’s smile is warm. “Let your mate in, honey. Your wolf is going to wither away and destroy you both if you don’t.”

She’s right. I already feel weaker. My body aches at times, as if the bones are chipping away piece by piece. There has been this hollow ache in my gut from the moment I denied the mating bond. I know it must be doing the same thing to Sawyer and I hate that I’m the cause of any discomfort he might be feeling.

So, even though I know Tessa’s words are right and that her concern comes from a good place, my guilt makes me a little terse. “We should get inside.”

Without giving her a moment to respond, I head toward the porch and take the steps to the deck quickly. When I step inside, Sawyer is waiting by the door. His eyes roam over me, checking if I’m okay before they rest on my face.

Why was he waiting?

As if he reads my mind, he rubs a hand over his chin. “I wanted to make sure you’re okay after what happened.”

After my meltdown at the side of the road, he means. I cringe inwardly, hating that he and the others got to see that moment of vulnerability from me. “I’m fine,” I assure him.

Stepping around him, he slips his fingers into my hand and tugs me to a stop. My heart thuds as I find myself pressed again the wall, his body inches from mine. I feel lightheaded as my pussy throbs with an ache to be filled.

“Are you?” His eyes crawl over every inch of my face, and I feel cracked open for him, as if he can see all my weaknesses.

“I will be,” I amend.

His fingers reach out, trailing down my cheek and my breathing stutters as my clit throbs. How can my body react so much to him? He’s barely touching me and I’m panting like I’m in heat.

Without meaning to, I lean into his touch. The serene feeling that washes through me is unlike anything I’ve ever felt. I want to wrap my arms around him and let him show me how much I mean to him.

“Sawyer.” His name comes out a harsh rasp as I try to catch my breath.

“I promise I won’t walk away if you let me in.”

I believe he means that, but I don’t know what that makes me feel. Relief maybe.

Loved.

I peer up at him through my lashes, my heart thudding even harder. My wolf urges me to let him take us, my body wants that too. That ice around my heart is quickly thawing. I expected him to run when I told him I killed my chosen mate. I thought he would want nothing to do with me, but he’s still here, wanting to claim me.

“I’m scared,” I admit.

He drags his knuckles down my cheek again as I get lost in his brown orbs. There’s no denying the attraction between us. I feel him in my head. He’s nervous; so am I.

“I know, but I’ll be with you every step of the way while you learn to control your magic better. You’re already learning,” he says.

It’s true; I am. Since Halle got here, we have been fine tuning our powers. I understand how it works a little more, even if I can’t always control myself.

Neither can she.

Halle’s magic is unchecked, but she never once considered staying away from Cade. Maybe her way is right.

But then I think about what could happen.

I think about the look in Edward’s eyes as my magic attacked him. I think about the hate my pack had for me and the way I was forced to run or die.

I close my eyes, trying to ground myself.

“What if I hurt you?”

“You won’t.”

“You don’t know that. I’ve hurt others.”

He growls at the mention of others. “I don’t care. I would rather be with you than without you.”

His words make my chest ache. “Sawyer…”

He dips his head and presses his mouth to mine. I jolt as soon as we touch, my body heating from the inside out. I’ve never felt anything like it. Even with Edward, the depth of feeling I had was nothing like this.

I scrunch my fingers into his shirt and the sides of his bulky body as he deepens our kiss. The way his mouth moves over mine is making my pulse flutter frantically. I tip my head a little so I can change the angle even more, slanting to slip my tongue through the slit between his lips.

He grants me entrance without any resistance, and I find his tongue, massaging mine against his. The little groans Sawyer is making has my pussy throbbing. I feel empty and I’m aching. I need his touch like I need air to breathe.

“Sawyer,” I gasp against his lips.

I’ve been kissed before, but this is something else. My skin feels heated and my body alive in a way it never has been. I blink as my head swims, my vision too.

Mine .

I’m reaching for his belt, needing more of him, when I feel a surge of power. Then a scream punctuates the air.