HOW COULD I HAVE KNOWN YOU WOULDN'T LIKE THE TOKEN OF MY AFFECTIONS?

KINGSLEY

I catch rain before he falls on the floor, letting go of the warm still pumping heart.

"Rain?" I almost touch his face but my hands are bloodied.

 I turn a murderous glare on the two stupid wolves who thought coming here and giving an opinion concerning my mate was a good idea.

"Reece, make them comfortable in our dungeons, they seem to have answers to questions I have," I address my bet all while looking at them. They have a good reason to look afraid.

"You can't keep them here, and you have already killed their alpha. Things could turn southways politically," my beta whispers low enough for only my ears.

Fuck politics and the protocol. Ron and I agree that we want the whole pack that seems to have abused my mate to be burned to the ground.

Reece must have seen that I am losing it, because he gets in front of me, breaking my line of sight.

"Fine," I growl, as I pull Rain closer to me who is still passed out in my arms. "Clean this mess and make sure they know rain is never going back. And if any of them objects, bring me his head."

I leave the office and carry rain straight to my room, which is next to the room that he was sleeping in earlier.

I gently place him on the bed and go clean myself up. That Dante hurt rain. I know because rain clutched my hand so hard when we were there, and I saw how they were looking at each other. Like they knew each other intimately.

I don't even realize I have punched the mirror above until I hear a gasp behind me. Rain has woken up and he looks at me terrified, and at my hand.

"You are hurt," he whispers as he takes the hand that is not closing because of the shards of the glass.

"I am okay, I should be taking care of you," I try withdrawing my hand away but he holds on to it.

"You killed Dante for me. The least I can do to repay you is help clean the wound," he says and I clench my teeth hearing his name on my mate's lush lips.

"What is the dynamic between you two?" I ask Rain as he removes the glass from my hand.

"He is – was sort of my guardian. When my parents died when I was barely five, he took me in and took care of me. We grew up together but it wasn't the best of childhood."

There are so many unspoken things he doesn't say and I wonder if I will be pushing it if I ask for more answers.

"Is that why he came to claim you back?"

"I am a runaway, a rogue in their eyes. I ran away because they sold me over as a slave to one of the packs they do business with as collateral for their debts. They were coming to claim their property," Rain whispers, looking servile.

It is making me murderous, and I know that they won't escape my wrath. No one sells or trades werewolves anymore, a law that was passed a hundred years ago. Those bastards are still doing it.

My claws elongate and I feel Ron, my wolf almost coming to the surface fully.

We will hunt them and taste their blood, patience ron.

 "I will tell you everything, but not now. When I am ready," rain whispers and I nod in understanding.

I didn't like how unclaimed my mate is, and from the episode that we just had, Ron is losing his mind because we have yet to make sure everyone knows that he is ours and has our scent on him. To make everyone know if they touch him, they will be dead.

"Do you have blood phobia?" I ask instead, shifting my thoughts to something else.

"No," he blushes and it's the cutest thing I have ever seen. "I haven't eaten in a long time-"

"Oh fuck!" I abruptly stand up, cursing myself. How can I forget to feed him? What the fuck is wrong with me?

"I am going to bring the whole damn kitchen here," I tell him before dashing out of the door and heading to the kitchen.

Martha my chef is cleaning up when I get there. "Martha, I need food, everything edible in this house, bring it to my room. And drinks too. Make it quick," I tell her before grabbing a box of biscuits from the drawers.

"Yes, alpha Kingsely. Your mate is beautiful, I am so happy that you both have found each other," she smiles and I pause, returning the smile.

"How did you know, I haven't told anyone."

"Well, everyone who was in the building when you brought him here saw it. And we are all happy for you. You two make a beautiful couple."

I thank her and head to my mate, carrying the biscuit box. Will this be enough until Martha brings real food?

"I didn't-"I stop talking when I realize rain is not in the room. "Rain?" my heart is beating so hard, scared that he has left.

I rush to the bathroom and I stop cold.

"Oh, I am sorry, I just felt icky and I needed to shower, I can get out if it's not okay," Rain mumbles, shielding himself.

He is stark naked, and I have to stop myself from walking over to him and taking him now. His skin is glistening with the water that's running, his wide eyes as he looks at me, surprised and embarrassed.

"No," I clear my throat. "Take your time. I brought you biscuits to munch on before food arrives in five minutes."

Leaving him in there is torture but I close the door behind me and listen as he showers. I run my hands through my hair, exhaling as I feel my hard-on pressing on my trousers.

"We have to behave, and not be too forthcoming," I tell my hard-on. Everything in me has wanted to claim and mate rain since I realized he was mine. But I have to be understanding of him.

"Alpha Kingsley?"

I turn and there he is, wrapped in a white towel, looking at me with so much innocence.

"It's Liam for you. Call me Liam."

"Liam," he whispers looking down. "I don't have anything to change to, I-"his words die when I take a step towards him. His cheeks redden and I am fascinated by how easily it is to read what he is feeling on his face.

"Rain," I touch his cheek and he leans on it. "Everything in me wants you. I am craving you and I want nothing more than to mark you, but you have to tell me if you are okay with it."

I lean towards him and he flinches, just an inch but I see it. His body is tense and he won't look at me, eyes lowered. Tense yet submissive... But he is repulsed by me.

My mate is repulsed by my touch and even nearness.

That makes Ron, alert and hurt. Our mate thinks we are about to hurt him, force ourselves onto him and it makes me feel disgusted by my actions.

Of course, he is not okay with this. Any of it! God knows what happened to him in the hands of that Dante, and here I am worried about a fucking erection!

I stand up, the air around the room dense and constricting.

"I should let you eat and rest. I will come back in a few hours to check up on you."

I need to get away before I lose my goddamn mind.

But then there is a knock on the door. Forcing a smile, I open the door, knowing it's the food I asked to be brought up.

"Food is here."