Page 94 of His True Mate

I nodded. “Lots and lots of wine.”

He groaned.

“Shit. Last night was ladies’ night and no one even bothered to give me the heads up?” James fussed. “Their last two ladies’ nights would have landed them in jail for disorderly conduct, being drunk in public, and indecent exposure if they crossed our border into the human jurisdiction. You have to warn me ahead of time when these things are happening.”

My jaw dropped open and then I closed it.

Thomas sighed.

“Winnie, what happened when you came home last night.”

I shook my head.

“Don’t make him use his Alpha powers again because he will and we all feel it,” Austin insisted.

“Fine, but it’s really all a blur. Brady brought me home and Clay wolfed out when I stumbled and Brady helped keep me on my feet.”

Emmett laughed.

Thomas glared at him.

“Sorry. It’s just so uncharacteristic of our boy that it’s funny. He’s losing his shit.”

“Go on,” Thomas said, ignoring him.

“Well, I got into the house and when Clay shifted back, well, he was naked. I wasn’t going to take no for an answer. I told him to mark me already, but he refused. He wouldn’t do it. I don’t remember much after that, only the horrible feeling of rejection, and I never want to feel that way again, so I was making arrangements to leave. If he doesn’t want to claim me then I have no business being here. I know you’d agree with that because it means I’m just trespassing in your territory.”

“Why does mating always have to be such a pain in my ass?”

“Well it’s such a sexy ass…” Austin started but stopped when Thomas glared him. “Alrighty then.”

“We need to find Clay, get him back here and straighten this mess out,” Wyatt suggested.

Thomas nodded his agreement.

“I should get my things and leave before he returns. It’ll be easier that way,” I said, but the fiery pain shooting through my chest was at direct odds with my words.

“No!” They all yelled in unison.

“Boys, we’ve got a half-crazed mating male in wolf form loose somewhere in territory. Shift and let’s find him. Ruby, you stay here and make damn certain she does too.”

“I could help with the hunt,” Ruby offered.

“I think you’ve done enough already,” Thomas said, dismissing her as the five men headed back outside.

“I’m calling the girls,” Ruby said as soon as they were out of earshot.

“Is that a good idea?”

“Yes, but no wine this time. I promise.”

Clay

Chapter 21

Time stopped, or maybe it still moved on, but it no longer had any meaning to me.

Nothing did.