Chapter 20
Rudy
As the boat approached the dock, I kept my arm around Bowen’s waist, clutching him to me.
I hadn’t been able to let him go since we escaped the mine.
When I saw him through the dark, bound and unable to move, the rage I felt couldn’t be contained.
I didn’t even try to hold the wolf back as he made quick work of slashing and clawing at the shadows.
The memory of it had me pulling Bowen even tighter to me. I felt that gentle caress of his in my mind. “I’m okay.”
Pressing my nose to the top of his head, I breathed him in, letting his sweet scent soothe me. “You might have to keep reminding me,” I whispered back, too spent to try to focus on speaking to him through our connection.
Bowen turned to face me and pressed his cheek against my chest, his arms going around my back. “I will.”
With Bowen in my arms, I glanced across the boat where the creature who’d been held captive with Bowen sat, his eyes meeting mine before he looked away.
He’d been rather quiet. I didn’t know what to make of him.
I wanted to hate him for being the reason Bowen was captured, but my mate reminded me it wasn’t his fault.
The guilt I felt coming off Bowen made my heart ache, though, and I didn’t know what to do about it except hold him close.
Once the boat was tied to the dock, the three of us got out, and I never felt more grateful to be back home than I did now, especially knowing Bowen was here and safe.
Waiting for us at the end of the dock were Maxime, Kieran, Silas, Ash, and Zephyr.
After he found us, he flew back to let everyone know what happened, and they sent the boat for us since he wouldn’t have been able to carry us all back.
Zee pulled me into his arms. “Gods, you scared the hell outta me, Wolfie. It’s good to see you’re in one piece after that fall.”
“Fall? What fall?” Bowen snapped his head up to look at me.
“It’s nothing.” When Bowen narrowed his eyes at me, I felt my cheeks flush and shrugged. “Sometimes the fastest path isn’t the easiest one. But it doesn’t matter. I did what I needed to get to you, and I would do it all over again.”
Zee looped his arm around Bowen and brought him into our embrace. Something about my best friend embracing my mate made my heart settle, and the sense of home felt even brighter.
Maxime cleared his throat, and we broke apart. His eyes were focused on the large being who stood behind us. “Who is this?”
Bowen held his hand out to the bull-man, but his brow furrowed. “I’m sorry, I don’t actually know your name.”
The creature snorted a huff through his nostrils, his golden ring in his nose twitching with the action.
His eyes took in our eclectic group. I couldn’t begin to imagine what he thought of us, especially since he’d seen me in my werewolf form.
He never changed, though. His head remained that of a bull’s, and I wondered if it was for safety or if he couldn’t change. Perhaps that was his permanent form.
“Bryan,” the beast said in a gruff voice.
Zee snorted. “You’re a minotaur named… Bryan?”
The creature narrowed his eyes at Zephyr before his gaze landed on Bowen’s.
He spoke slowly as if he had to concentrate on the words.
Keeping his attention on my mate, it was like he was urging him to understand.
“I was named for a life I didn’t choose.
Once I was able to choose my life, I chose my own name, too. ”
Zephyr opened his mouth to respond, but Bowen elbowed him in the stomach, cutting off whatever comment he was about to make.
My lips tugged upwards, loving that my mate had no qualms about stopping my friend’s loose tongue.
My beautiful man looked up at Bryan with sincerity.
“I understand. Thank you for telling us. And ignore him. He’s obnoxious, but he means well. ”
At that, the minotaur gave the first hint of a smile since I’d gotten him out of that mine shaft.
Bowen faced the group. “Bryan was held against his will by the same being that took me. They’re gone now, thanks to Rudy, but I think he should stay here if he wants to.
I know I’m the new guy and you all didn’t exactly ask me to be here or for my opinion, but there it is. ”
Bryan’s large brows pinched. “Stay? Why?”
Bowen stepped away from me, and even though he was only a foot away, I already missed touching him. Forcing myself to stay put, I watched as he took his glasses off, rubbed the bridge of his nose, and put them back. I could feel the wave of guilt from him.
“I’m so sorry for what happened to you, and for the part I played in it.
I… didn’t understand what they wanted me to do, and I thought I was helping.
This place, well, it’s special. You’ve seen my mate and what he is.
The others are all unique beings as well.
They created a safe place for those like you.
Unless you have somewhere else to go, I think you should stay.
Don’t stay because I’m asking you to—I know you don’t trust me—but stay for your sake.
I know they said you’ve been… hiding. But you won’t have to hide anymore. ”
Bryan looked from Bowen to the rest of us, his eyes landing on mine once more, and I gave a slight nod before pulling Bowen back against my chest, needing to calm the ache he felt when he looked at the minotaur.
Turning his attention to Maxime, he asked. “Is it so?”
Maxime inclined his head. “Yes. The entire island is ours. We have an inn that is inclusive for beings of all types. There may be humans that visit, but I use my ability to influence to keep them from understanding or truly seeing anything that might seem out of the ordinary. If you wish to remain, you would be safe. As long as you have no ill intentions.”
The large bull’s head shook slightly, looking completely exhausted. His answer came, but I didn’t understand it. He spoke in a language that didn’t sound like anything I’d ever heard, not that I had a lot of experience with that. Surprisingly, Maxime didn’t seem to understand him either.
Bowen took in our lack of reaction and confused looks, and I could feel a sense of comprehension. “He said he has no ill intentions and that he’d like to take you up on the offer.”
Did he translate what the minotaur said? It wasn’t even animal sounds; it was a language. Pride bloomed through me as I tucked my mate against my side. He was incredible.
Maxime arched a brow at Bowen, but turned toward the bull. “Is that true?”
Bryan gave a curt nod.
“Very well. Come, let’s get you situated.”
He huffed in response, and we made our way back to the main building. My hand was on Bowen’s waist as we walked. When we neared the front steps to the lobby, I felt his body tense at my side. “What’s wrong?”
Bowen leaned into my side as he stared at the building. “I… don’t really want to be inside right now.”
“Okay. Where do you want to go?” Gods, I hated to see the hint of uncertainty in his beautiful brown eyes.
“I don’t know. Somewhere outside where we can see the sky.”
When Zee noticed we were no longer following the group, he looked back at us with brows raised. “You guys okay?”
Bowen reached for my hand, and I squeezed it in mine. I gave Zee a nod. “Yeah, we’ll catch up later.”
My friend gave me a knowing smile. “I see. Time for a little celebratory tango. Go, be free. Frolic and fuck to your heart’s content. You deserve it.”
Bowen covered a laugh while my cheeks flamed bright. “Dick.”
Zee let out a loud laugh and waved, but I shouted before he walked inside. “Wait!” When he looked over his shoulder at me, I squeezed Bowen’s hand tighter and lowered my voice. “Thank you, Zee.”
His expression softened. “Of course. I’ll always have your back, and your mate’s, too. Welcome to the family, Bowen.”
Family. The word felt so completely right. He was my mate and my family. I bent down and brushed my lips against his. “I have an idea.” I squatted down in front of him and said, “Hop on.”
With a chuckle, Bowen jumped onto my back, hooking his arms around my neck as my arms cradled his legs at my sides.
Carrying him, I walked into the woods. Bowen rested his head on my shoulder and slumped against me.
His exhaustion seeped through him with each step I took.
I wasn’t running through the woods at full speed this time, merely walking, trying not to jostle him too much.
I hated that he’d been through what he had and wished I could take it away, but I would do anything I could to bring him comfort and help him feel protected.
When we reached the small clearing we’d been in the night before, I lowered down so he could slide off my back.
There was enough of a break in the trees that the stars and the moon were visible between the ever-present cloud cover on Malterra.
I’d been in my wolf form when we were here before, but now it was just the two of us.
The moon had no power over me this time. My power belonged to Bowen.
Bowen sat on the ground and leaned back on his hands. “Thank you, this is perfect. The darkness in the mine and my inability to see beyond the small space messed with my head a bit. Being out here helps me feel not… trapped.”
I fell to my knees before him and held his face in my hands. “Gods, I’m so sorry you went through that. What can I do?”
He gave me a half-smile. “You can be here with me. Right now. Right here. I don’t want to think about it; I just want to be with you.”
I stroked my thumb over his cheek and nodded. “I’m here. It’s just us.”
“I need you to kiss me,” Bowen whispered. “Kiss me and make me forget.”
Smashing my mouth against his, I drove my tongue between his lips, needing to taste him, to feel him. A sigh released from him, and he kissed me back with just as much desperation. His need and a sense of urgency poured through our connection, igniting my own.