Page 48 of The Bookseller and the Alpha (Witch Twins #1)

Luc

My mate sat across from me in the car. I could feel her distress through the beginning of our bond. Her heart rate had skyrocketed as soon as I had said that we were visiting my parents. She had huddled into herself, then started rummaging in her bag for makeup, muttering under her breath.

Outside, a strong gust of wind rocked the car.

I reached out a hand, grasping for hers, needing to touch her before Beast went totally feral.

It helped, but not enough. “Breathe,” I told her, sending reassurance through the bond, not sure if I was trying to soothe her or myself.

Checking in the rear-view mirror, I made a snap decision and pulled the car off to the side of the road.

I couldn’t drive in these conditions. Even if I could have concentrated on the road with Beast howling in my chest at the weight of Caly’s anxiety, the beautiful scent of her arousal buried under the sour tang of panic, we needed to take a break.

Her power was reacting to her emotions. That gust of wind had not been natural.

And once again she had no idea she was using magic.

I suddenly couldn’t believe my own stupidity, that I had forgotten to call my dad and ask him how this could happen.

Caly needed some advice and I couldn’t help her. But my dad could.

I killed the engine as she muttered about needing makeup.

Okay. So this was about appearance? I was confused.

Caly was perfect for me in every way. Fucking gorgeous.

I loved everything about her. The way her body fitted against mine and how I could tuck her chin into my chest. Her generous breasts, and her exquisite ass.

Then it hit me. She didn’t believe it. She didn’t understand that she was the only woman I would ever look at from the moment I’d met her.

I reached up and cupped her face with both hands.

I wanted to know who had made her doubt herself.

Who had made this beautiful, intelligent and complex woman believe that she wasn’t enough?

I locked down the anger, almost biting my tongue as I fought the impulse to demand names.

To make them pay. Not now. She would misinterpret the anger.

And I never wanted her to think I could be angry with her.

Not my mate. She held my heart in her hands already.

And her needs were more important than mine.

I had time to find out what had made my mate so unsure of herself.

Now, she needed me to help her with the anxiety that pulsed between us.

“Relax, love. You’re perfect.” Relying on Beast, I sent out another wave of soothing emotion towards her.

Later, when we were fully bonded, we’d be able to help her without touch.

She would be able to feel my emotions, as I would be able to feel hers.

We’d be able to communicate mind to mind.

But until then, this was the best we could do.