Chapter Eleven
Leonidis
Why was the fire chief grabbing my mate in a bear hug? He had his own fated mate. Why did he have his hands all over mine? I looked closer. No way was my mate grabbing him? I folded my arms across my chest and glared at Butch.
“You’re being ridiculous,” Maximus said out the side of his mouth.
“How would you feel if someone had their hands all over Tim?” I snapped back, feeling put out after Butch’s reaction to the ‘ mane touching’ .
“They wouldn’t dare,” he snarled. “He’s mine.”
I raised my eyebrow, and Maximus grunted at me. “You haven’t claimed him yet,” he said.
“We’ve mated,” I muttered.
“Only so he wouldn’t wilt. When are you going to claim him?”
I kicked at a stray stone on the ground. “I don’t know,” I admitted. “I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready for… that.”
Then I looked up and saw Butch watching me closely. Maximus followed my gaze.
“I think you’ve gotten someone who will wait for you.”
“But for how long? What if he gets fed up waiting for me?”
“Have you talked to him about it?”
“I’ve done nothing but talk,” I said with a touch of exasperation. “The sheriff knows about the worst time in my life.”
Having to bare my soul, to explain how I got the scars on my body, tortured by another lion, was mortifying. “Butch must think I’m so weak.”
You’re never weak. You’re strong and resilient.
Then Butch was in front of me as the fire chief introduced himself to Maximus. Butch ignored them as he focused on me. I’d never known what it was to have a man solely focused on me with such a look of affection. He took my breath away.
Butch leaned forward and whispered, “I will wait for you.”
I gave a shaky nod. “When Amell is caught. I can’t focus. Every time I think I can relax, something like this happens.” I waved at the house. “He could hurt you. I’d never forgive myself.”
He looked taken aback. “You don’t have to protect me.”
“I’m the lion in this relationship.”
Butch frowned. “And I’m the sheriff of this town.”
He wasn’t listening to me. “Tartie nearly got eaten by a chicken.”
“I’m the sheriff,” he repeated.
“And Amell’s a monster,” I yelled.
Then Maximus was at my side and the chief was by Butch.
“Guys, can you postpone the hand-wringing for now,” Maximus muttered, eyeing us both without amusement. “The firefighters want us away from the house. It’s unsafe.”
I pressed my lips together. I knew he was right, but dammit, I just wanted Butch to understand. “Where am I going?” I said curtly.
“Randy and Tartie are taking you to Goliath’s home.”
I’d been so caught up with Butch, I hadn’t realized they’d joined us.
Tartie rested his hand on my shoulder. “We don’t want you to be on your own and the sheriff is gonna be tied up here for a while. He can take you back to his place when he’s finished.”
I gave a curt nod and followed them without a word or a backward glance. Then I caught the look Randy sent my way.
“What?” I snapped.
“You didn’t say goodbye to your mate.”
I opened my mouth to say that he wasn’t my mate, then I closed it again. The sweet ram looked disappointed in me for some reason. Guilt rolled in my belly. I turned on my heel and ran back to Butch, who was talking to Maximus and Chief Sutton. He looked startled to see me, but I hauled him close to me and kissed him hard.
“See you later. You will fetch me?”
A smile spread across his face. “I promise.”
I nodded, kissed him again, and ran back to Tartie and Randy.
Randy beamed at me and slung his arm across my shoulders. I spat out the sudden mouthful of pink hair.
“Nice,” Tartie said.
I rolled my eyes at him.
“Is the rest of the pride already at Goliath’s?” I asked.
“Red and Gordon have taken Tim and the babies back to their place. Red insisted Tim needed family stalk time.”
I translated that as, Red was freaked out and needed his brother. My suspicions were confirmed when Tartie continued. “Glass and Apollo will go there later. Everyone else is at Goliath’s for now. Goliath is making sure every stalk can bed down in soil if they need to.”
“He’s a good stalk.”
“He is, although I don’t really know him. Our paths don’t cross.”
I nodded, but my thoughts were already straying to Butch. I hoped he was safe and stayed away from the fire.
I’m alright , he soothed across the link. Don’t worry about me.
If I’m your mate, it’s my job to worry about you , I thought tartly, as I climbed into the pride van.
If? Butch sounded exasperated.
I know you’re my mate. It’s too much to process at the moment.
I know and I’m sorry. I promised I wouldn’t push you.
Before I could respond, he said I’ve got to go. Stay safe. And then the link was empty.
“Hey, Leo.”
“Huh?” I looked up to see Randy staring at me. “What’s wrong?”
“That’s what I asked you. I guess you were talking to your stalk-a-luscious.”
“Stalk-a-luscious? What are you? Twelve?”
From the driver’s seat, Tartie leered at his mate. “Definitely not twelve.”
I sighed, closed my eyes, and ignored them as they eyeballed each other. Thankfully there was no one else on the road as I felt the van swerve.
“Try not to kill us before we get there, huh?”
They ignored me.
Apollo hauled me into a hug as soon as I got out of the van. Then it was Drew’s turn, followed by Burke with the babies squished between us. I received a hug from everyone there. I’m not sure if they were reassuring themselves or me, but it was needed. We were all filthy and tired and stressed, but at least we were together.
Then Glass hugged me, saying, “This one’s from Tim, Red, and Gordon.”
I hugged him back. “Thanks. I needed that.”
When he stepped back, Drew presented me with a large cup. I peered at the contents.
“Hot chocolate?”
“You need to sleep. Doc’s orders. No coffee.”
“Is Doc Picker here?”
“He’s asleep. Drink up, then you can sleep. We’re taking it in turns to guard the place.”
I wasn’t going to argue. My throat was raw from the smoke, and I needed a drink.
The hot chocolate soothed my throat. “I can guard while you sleep,” I offered after taking several sips of the yumminess.
Apollo shook his head, his curls dancing around his face. “No. Shift and curl up with Randy and Burke.”
“I don’t think I can sleep.”
“Just try. You need the rest.”
I didn’t have the strength to argue. I handed the cup back to Drew. Then I stripped and shifted, the solid ram and mini bull curling around me. If I couldn’t have my mate, my pride would comfort me. I couldn’t resist reaching out to Butch.
Sleep well, Leonidis.
I smiled at the quiet words from my mate and relaxed. Even if I didn’t sleep, I knew I was safe with Butch and my pride.