Page 36 of Starting Over

Ryan replied, “I thought that when we bonded, we had some kind of link to our mate… a special bond or some shit.”

“Fuck! I am so fucking stupid! The gods be damned mind link. How the fuck did I forget about that?” Wyatt snapped.

“Mind link? I thought only dragons had that ability? He’s an elephant shrew,” River said in confusion.

Wyatt quickly replied, “Yes, but when we bond with our mate, they become part of our thunder and therefore we can mind link with them.”

“Seriously? I had no idea. Then again, it isn’t like my parents taught me much when it came to bonding.” River muttered.

Wyatt quickly replied, “Your parents were very good to you, River.”

“I didn’t say they weren’t good parents they just weren’t soul mates. Because they were both dragons, and in the same thunder, they already would have had the mind link so it isn’t something they may have known,” River stated, not sounding pissed or angry just… accepting.

Rain sighed as he thought about his parents. They had died ten years ago in a hit and run, and he missed them every single fucking day. He wished they were here now to tell him what to do.

Shifting and running when someone was shooting at them… leaving his mate behind. What the fuck did that say about him as a mate?

“Babe, where are you. We got the gunmen. You can come out now… go back to the cabin,”Wyatt whispered in Rain’s mind.

At first Rain didn’t understand what was happening and then he realized… his mate was using their mind link.

“Rain, please my little mouse. Talk to me. Let me know you’re okay,”Wyatt begged.

Rain wasn’t exactly sure he knew how this mind link thing worked but he closed his eyes, and thought the words.“I’m not a mouse.”

“Rain?”

“Y… Yes.”

“Oh thank the gods! Little mouse, are you hurt?”Wyatt anxiously asked.

Rain sighed, why the hell did everyone think his animal was a mouse?“I’m fine and I’m not a mouse. Don’t call me a mouse.”

“You are adorable and look like a little mouse to me. Come to me so I can see for myself that you’re alright. Please.”

“I… I want to, but…”

When Rain didn’t finish his thought, Wyatt firmly said,“There is no but here, Rain. The only but that should be here is your tiny little mouse butt. Now come to me, damn it.”

“I fucked up, Wyatt. You can’t want to see me. I… I suck as a mate. You deserve better.”

Wyatt’s confusion was evident, when he asked, “What are you talking about? You’re a great mate and I’m lucky to have you. Now come to me, my mate.”

Shamed filled Rain’s words, when he murmured,“I ran. Someone was shooting and instead of making sure you were safe, I ran.”He hesitated a moment, then asked the question he feared asking the most,“Was… was anyone hurt?”

“Oh, my sweet, sweet little mouse. No. No one was hurt and we all know we can’t always control our animals. Please stop hiding from me and come out from wherever you are. I need to hold you. I need to touch you. I need to know you’re safe and unharmed.”

If Rain had been in his human form, he knew he’d be in tears. Hearing the heartache and hurt that Rain wouldn’t go to Wyatt was hurting the man he’d come to love.

Wait!

Love?

Rain tilted his tiny head in thought… did he love Wyatt?

It hadn’t been long that they’d met and bonded, but in that short time, they’d gotten to know each other. They’d laughed, made love… many, many times, and they’d played. Wyatt was wonderful and Rain hated being separated from his mate whenever he had to meet up with his thunder or talk with Pit about the future for them all… and including him.

Rain wasn’t sure about moving to Montana, but if this is what his mate wanted to do, he’d do it. No way would he let Wyatt go off without him… he couldn’t. However, Rain also knew if Rain wasn’t on board Wyatt wouldn’t make the move either.