by Celia Kyle
Suddenly warm, strong arms surrounded her, comforted her. Her history still swarmed, tried to paint a different face on the male who cradled her so gently. But she knew this was real, she wasn’t being tortured by Bianca or held captive by Angus. She was truly in Grayson’s arms, held safely in his embrace.
“I will not leave you, I will never walk away from you. Never.” He tightened his grip, forcing her against him.
Her cat whined, urging her to trust him, to put her faith in the male destined for her. She scented the truth, his flavors telling her he hadn’t spoken a single lie.
“I need you to hold me. I need you to hold me tight and never let go.”
Grayson’s lips were warm as he brushed them over her temple, where he let them linger on her skin. “I won’t. Not ever.” He spoke against her forehead. “Tell me about the cage.”
She opened her mouth, ready for the first wave of those memories, that hell, to bombard her, but then the wind changed. It was a subtle shift that brought new scents, new flavors to her, to them.
“Ricker.” Grayson spat the tiger’s name and the male stepped into their small clearing.
In one sweeping glance, she took in his expression, read the feelings he seemed to wear on his sleeve. Rage. Heartbreak. Fury. Pity. “You heard me.”
It wasn’t a question, but he nodded anyway. “No, not all, but enough. I’m sorry. Alex sent me to keep an eye on you two. It wasn’t smart to run off alone.”
“I can protect my mate.” Grayson’s growl rose in volume.
Honor was quick to calm him, to stroke his vibrating chest with her trembling hand. “It’s okay. It’s fine. He…” She fought to calm her racing heart. “Someone needs to know.”
Her mate shuddered and then he was petting her. “But that wasn’t all that happened.”
“No.” Not by a long shot. “Maybe we can finish talking later.” She forced her gaze to center on Ricker. “The most important thing to remember is that he’s evil. He doesn’t care about anything but his pleasure. He will do anything…” Bile rose in her throat, the past shoving forward. “Anything to get what he wants.”
The tiger nodded. “And he wants you.”
Tears stung her eyes as phantom pain assaulted her. The scars crisscrossing her abdomen heated and she could practically feel the slice of a razor blade into her flesh. “He wants me.”
“Let’s get you back inside. Ricker is right, we shouldn’t be out here.” Grayson pressed a kiss to her temple. The act was chaste, sweet, and comforting, and drew a tear from her eye. She wasn’t sure what she’d done to deserve such an understanding, caring mate, but she’d never let him go.
Honor stepped from his arms, missing his touch the moment his fingers left her skin. She focused on him, smiling when she saw the same look of loss on his features.
Grayson’s attention shifted from her to Ricker. “Is there anyone between here and the house?”
“Yeah. A few. I wouldn’t let them approach, but they’re there.”
“Good.” Her mate nodded and focused on her. She knew that look, the one that said he wanted to send her away, that he wanted to talk with Ricker. Although, when male shifters “talked” it tended to involve fangs and claws. Angus wasn’t here for Grayson to beat on, but Ricker was. “Honor…”
She shook her head and stepped forward, cupping his cheeks. She rose to her tiptoes and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to his lips. “I’ll see you when you get back to the house.”
*
Grayson gripped her wrists, holding them gently, and pulled her hands from his face. He kissed her palms, one and then the other, before releasing her.
He tried to hide it, but rage burned in him, searing him from inside out, and his lion ached to roar its displeasure to the world. He wanted to tear the entire London pride apart limb by limb. He wanted every female and male to die beneath his claws and save every child from their perverted Prime. Blood would flow down the drains of that fucking building and he’d destroy the place brick by brick.
But for now, he would remain calm, remain relaxed as he sent his mate to the safety of the pride house. And when Angus finally appeared, Grayson would take his time slicing pieces from his body. Until then, he had to content himself with venting his fury on Ricker.
Grayson released her and she slowly eased away, turning from him as she approached the forest. The sway of her hips entranced him, drew him like no other woman before, and he ached to run his hands over her curves. Someday… Though, after he’d heard part of what she endured, he wasn’t sure he could ever lay his hands upon her body. Would she toss him into the same category as Angus?
No, she won’t.
He wasn’t sure how he knew, but he did.
Keeping his voice low, he let the breeze carry his words. “You heard it all, didn’t you?”
Ricker nodded, his gaze not holding a hint of shame.
“So you’ll tell Alex?”
“Of course.”
“There’s more.” He recalled the pain filling his mate’s gaze, and the urge to destroy the torturous male rose hot and fast. “I think there’s a lot more that he’s done to her. I think he got through that door.”
“When he finally shows up, you’ll kill him.”
Yes, he would.
“So.” Ricker cracked his neck and rolled his shoulders. “You gonna try and take a piece out of me already? You can’t go back to the house hopped up on your anger. It’ll piss Maya off and then she’ll poke at you, trying to find out the reasons you’re mad.”
Asshole. The tiger was right, but still an asshole.
The low murmur of voices came to him on the wind, bringing Honor’s low chuckle and the deep baritone of a male’s response. The volume lessened, telling him she strode away from their clearing and toward the pride house. The rage transformed into a raging need to follower her, comfort her. They’d worry about gutting something, or someone, later. For now, it wanted Honor back in their arms.
Damn beast.
Grayson sighed and let his crazed rage dissipate. There was no sense trying to hold onto it now. The cat wasn’t cooperating. Fucker.
“Nah.” He shook his head. “Let’s go back to the house. The cat’s decided he doesn’t want to kick your ass anymore.”
“Kick my ass?” Ricker snorted.
Grayson ignored him and strode past the male, venturing into the woods. His nose had him following her scent, sticking to the exact path she’d taken.
He and Ricker didn’t speak as they made their way to the pride house. It took longer, his steps more careful than when they raced past the trees. They emerged onto the cleared lands surrounding the home and he found the Prima’s guards, their mates, as well as the Prime and Prima waiting for them.
Great. An inquisition.
Maya was the first to rush forward, worry etched in her gaze, but Alex’s touch had her stilling. “Maya.”
“But…” Her attention flitted from the Prime to Grayson and back again. “He knows what’s wrong with her and…”
“Maya.” The tone was soft, but filled with an underlying order that the Prima obeyed. It wasn’t like his usual ranting and raving. No, this was a Prime directing his mate. “Honor is his mate. He will take care of her. Leave it be.”
“She was so sad, Alex. And he knows why.” Maya looked to him. “Why? What happened? She just walked by us, not saying a word. We can’t fix it if we don’t know why. What did you do?” Tears glistened in the Prima’s eyes and he sensed the other women were just as anxious to descend on him, but the Prime was right. He needed to care for his mate.
“Not everything can be fixed immediately, Maya. Though I wish it could.” He understood the female’s desire to protect and care for one of their own. He tilted his head in thanks to the Prime. “Thank you, Alex.”
Now he needed to go to his mate. He had no doubt she’d sought the comfort of her room, her small den. He wouldn’t touch her, not when fear still rode her, but his lion demanded he be nearby.
The Prime jerked his head in a quick nod and the group parted for him. He paused by his leader. “Ricker needs to speak with you when you have a moment. I need… You can’t tell her secrets, but you need to know.”
“Understood.”
Grayson moved past the gathering with heavy, lead-laden feet. His heart hurt, but he knew it was nothing compared to what lived inside Honor. Without thought, his feet took him through the house, and up the steep stairs.
A set of subdued twins stood beside his door, both of their small faces sad and frowning.
“Honor’s in your room and she’s sadder.” Weston wiped his nose on the back of his hand. He was the more sensitive brother. He’d still be a cutthroat Second someday, but for now he was a sweet cub.
But his words surprised him. He assumed he’d have to go to her room, to her space, and attempt to comfort her. Instead, he found her in the place he called home. His heart lifted at the idea just as it was overwhelmed by sorrow.
“I know.” More than they could fathom, he knew how upset she was.
“You won’t make her worse.” Easton glared at him as he tossed out that order. Ah, a miniature Prime through and through.
“No, I won’t make her worse. I’ll always try to make her happy.” He both hated and loved that the boys stood up to him.
Both nodded at the same time.
“’Kay, but we’ll be watching you.” Another glare from East, quickly mimicked by West.
East reached out and opened Grayson’s bedroom door, granting him entrance to his space. The suite was roomy, but he’d have to think about building a home on pride lands. Somewhere close to Alex, but far enough to give them privacy.
His door shut with a quiet snick, the boys closing them in, and he strode toward his bed. She lay atop the covers, her arms clutching his pillow to her chest, her knees drawn up. She curled in on herself, seeming to try and protect herself from the world.
She hadn’t quite figured out that was his job.
He went to a nearby chair, content to watch her sleep, to be there if nightmares attacked. He’d always fight her demons.
Honor sighed, nuzzling his pillow and breathing deep. He didn’t think he’d ever get tired of watching her sleep.
Digging out his cell phone, he texted Alex, asking him to set up coverage for the bar. Alex owned Genesis and Grayson managed it. A shifter bar, it made a good bit of money for the pride’s use while also giving the local lions a nice place to have a drink. Or fuck on the night of the Gaian Moon.
Which also reminded him one was on the horizon. He checked his phone for the date. Two weeks. He had two weeks to gain Honor’s full trust, for her to believe in him when he assured her nothing would happen that she didn’t want to happen.
How could she endure his touch after Angus? He knew there was more, but her capture was more than enough to tell him she’d suffered at the male’s hands.
He shook his head. He wanted her, but no meant no. Hell, yes meant no until he was sure they were on the same page. He wasn’t into BDSM, but maybe they needed a reverse safeword. Whatever she needed, whatever she required, he’d give her.
Right now he understood what living for another person meant.
Because he’d live, and die, for Honor.
He’d also kill for her and he had just the person in mind.
Chapter Seven
“Love someone with all of your boobs. Or your butt. Eh, pick the biggest part of you. There, you love them that much.” — Maya O’ Connell, Prima of the Ridgeville Pride and woman who has big boobs and a big butt. Look at how much she loves Alex. And yeah, you could fall back on the whole “heart” thing, but it’s rather tiny when compared to the awesomeness of her chesticles.
Not much changed after she revealed some of her past to Grayson. He didn’t treat her differently, didn’t look at her as if she was weak. Then again, he didn’t know it all, did he? No, no he didn’t. She needed to tell him though, needed to push those words past her lips. Soon, she told herself. Soon.
For now, things went on as normal.
No—she paused in the middle of folding his laundry and placing his socks in a drawer—things had changed. It’d been a week since her confession and she suddenly found herself moved into his suite, his den. After telling him some of what occurred, she’d sought comfort in his bed, surrounded by his scent. Then she’d never left.
She watched him make room for her in his closet, empty several drawers for her things, and generally moving her into his life. It felt right even as her lioness and part of her human half panicked.
Grayson wouldn’t hurt them, they knew that. He hadn’t pushed, even after they’d discovered they truly were mates. Knowledge didn’t lessen the occasional twitch when he surprised her or the look of fear that shot through her when she awoke.
Memories were hard to shake off.
He didn’t care though. He didn’t seem hurt when her natural actions overtook her. Instead, he remained still, waiting for her to realize who stood before her.
She’d never met a male, human or shifter, who had such patience. In some ways, it told her what type of father he’d be. He showed her he wouldn’t snap and snarl at their cubs when they did something he didn’t like.
The thought warmed her heart and she begged her mind to finally put Grayson into the “non-scary” category. It had yet to happen. Even after chastely sleeping beside him every night, she still reacted to him that way. She hoped the panic would leave her soon. She couldn’t live with the terror much longer.
Honor tucked another pair of socks together, the thick fabric stretching to wrap in on itself. His “biker” socks. She teased him about their thickness, telling him if he bought a smaller pair of boots, he wouldn’t need such thick socks. He’d mock growl and remind her small feet meant small other things and there was nothing small about him. Anywhere.
Blushing, she placed them in the drawer and slid it shut. With a smile on her lips, she turned back to the bed and a scream rose in her throat. Fright had her freezing, her body flooding with adrenaline at the first hint of fear, and then she recognized the massive male before her.
Grayson. Her Grayson. Her mate.
The scream transformed into a harsh sob. She threw herself at his unmoving body, her male unmoving while she dealt with the sudden emotions. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and clung to him, shuddering when his palms slid along her back.
“Shh… I’m sorry. I thought you heard me. Shh…”
The apologies, the understanding tone, made her cry even harder. Tears flowed from her eyes one after another, quickly dousing his bare skin. He smelled like oil and grease and man. He must have been working on his motorcycle; the massive hunk of gleaming metal was his baby and he rode it whenever he could. Unfortunately, that wasn’t very often since he’d been home with her for the last week.
“Aw, lovely, don’t cry. I’ll do better, I promise.”
She hiccupped and sniffled, rubbing her face against his chest and nuzzling him. She wouldn’t care if he were coated in shit, she needed to touch him.
“Lovely.” She repeated the endearment.
“Hmm?” Grayson rested his chin atop her head.
“You’ve never said that before.”
He winced, body twitching. “Sorry.”
“Why?” She pulled away from him. “Why would you be sorry? I mean, an endearment isn’t some requirement between mates, but…”
“I…” He breathed deep. “I didn’t want to assume or pressure you in any way. I know I pushed about you moving in here.”
“I like being in here.” She couldn’t imagine sleeping anywhere else. It was difficult, her cat apologizing for her behavior in one whine and then begging for Grayson in another. But she wouldn’t move out for anything.
“But I didn’t… I don’t know what he called you. I didn’t want to bring up any bad memories. I didn’t want to assume you’d be okay with me suddenly tossing words like that around.”
&n
bsp; Honor traced his strong, square jaw with her fingertips, even more tears coming forward. “Am I ever not going to be a mess? Are you ever going to be able to not walk on eggshells? I want you to call me whatever you want.”
“Lovely.” He said the word with a sigh.
“Yeah.” She smiled wide. His lovely.
He leaned down, his lips hovering over hers. It was the closest he’d come to asking for something beyond a hug or holding hands, and she was more than eager.
Pressing up to her tiptoes, she closed the remaining distance between their mouths. One soft brush turned into two, turned into a slow, lazy kiss. She lapped at his mouth and he did the same until she finally opened for him. His tongue softly slipped into her, as if afraid she’d panic at any moment. But she wouldn’t, not for something like a kiss. More… She may have a problem with more.
Honor pulled back enough to nip his lower lip, pulling a soft moan from him. And then she went back for more of his sweet, drugging mouth. His taste had the cat purring and whining with need.
Grayson hardened against her hip, telling her without words there definitely wasn’t anything small about him. There was no doubt he was bigger than…
Honor’s heart skipped a beat, a tendril of fear worming its way into her mind, and her mate immediately tore his lips from hers.
“I’m sorry. Fuck.” He spat the word and cradled the back of her head, holding her against him. “I’m sorry. The last thing I wanted to do was scare you. You think I would have learned my lesson after our first kiss.” He took a deep breath and released it slowly, surrounding her with his scent.
“Lesson?” She placed her hands on his shoulders and nudged him, pushing until he released her. She stared up at him, cocking her head to the side in question. “What do you mean? I loved our first kiss, Grayson. It was…” She shook her head. “It was perfect.”
He cupped her face, his thumb brushing her cheek. “No, I scared you. Just like now. I scented your fear, lovely.”