Page 32 of This Mate Thing

"Stop being such a baby."

"What?You say my mate doesn't want me and thinks I'm a crazy person."

"You are a crazy person, and I didn't say he doesn't want you, only...Hell, I don't know.I think hooking up is pretty low on his list of priorities right now."

"I'm not here to hook up."Though I wouldn't mind hooking up."He's mine.I want to take care of him, want him to stop worrying, want him to relax, to be at peace, to know I have his back.I want him to know he doesn't have to worry about a thing because I will keep him safe."

"Oh, sweetie."

"What?"

I can tell by the rustling that she's shrugging."Has he ever felt safe?He comes across as a bit...strained.Watchful.On guard."

I think back about what he told me about his parents and wince.Fuck, she's right.He doesn't know what it's like to feel safe, to know your pack has your back and nothing bad can touch you when they're around.

"What do I do?"

"Keep helping him, but don't talk about it."

I huff."How?"

I hear her open the refrigerator and wait.

"I don't know."

"Zahrahhh!"

"I don't.I've never had to woo anyone without letting them know I'm wooing them.I guess you insert yourself into their lives.Without being creepy!Your stalker tendencies are already bordering on creepy, so keep it to a minimum."

"How?"

"Food.It's what you're good at."

"Food?How did we go from stalking to food?"

She growls."We didn't.You're to stop stalking him and woo him with food instead.And things like you did with Ira's cookies."

I nod.Yeah, I need more things like that.Simon was grateful when I helped with the cookies.

"And disappear for a few days."

"What?No!"I rub my chest where the constant ache is whenever I'm not close to Simon.

"Yes, let him miss you."

My heart is speeding at the idea of not seeing Simon for a day.

"Come camping with me.We'll take some photos, run in fur, and be one with nature for a few days."

"No."

"Yes.Let's leave tomorrow afternoon.You can cook them something delicious, drop it off, since you won't be eating it now when I'm kidnapping you.We'll be gone for three days.It'll give him time to miss you."

"No."

"Yes.I'll pick you up at three tomorrow."

"Zahrah."My whine is pathetic.