Page 48 of Into the Dawn

The steady thrum of his heartbeat tells me he believes every word he's saying.

You threaten his mate, and he'll turn into the animal that everybody says he is. I'd never think badly of him for that. Maybe he’s right, and I should cut myself some slack.

"Rationally, I know that." I admit, keeping my voice low, not wanting Vanessa to be burdened by my mountain of guilt as well as her own trauma. My beast stirs at the thought of her, needing to return to her side.

"Every time I close my eyes, I can see them. I mean, fuck, I did a real number on that guy, Evan. That was overkill if I ever saw it."

Chuck's death was savage, his body torn to shreds and his organs splayed open. The memory of it makes bile rise in my throat. Did my beast really need to be so savage? Did he need to seemingly take so much pleasure in destroying Chuck’s manhood? The answer whispers through our shared consciousness.

Yes, he did.He threatened our mate.

"Reminds me of when Griffin got revenge for the first attack on Kali."

I never thought of that. Her mate slaughtered those who hurt her, and I doubt he lost any sleep over it. The parallel helps somehow, knowing other shifters have faced this same darkness.

"I spoke to Vanessa while you were getting checked out. She told me everything that happened. Ben, if you hadn't done what you did, he was going to assault her. You know he was. Any man worth his salt wouldn't stand by and watch a woman, let alone his mate, get raped." Evan can barely speak the word. His face twists in disgust, his scent spiking with rage. "And the fact that her father was willing to stand by and let it go ahead, well, he deserves what he got, too."

Even though I already knew, it still means so much for Evan to confirm that there was no other option. His approval finally settles something in my beast.

Maybe he's right, and it'll just take time.

"Just keep talking about it. If you don't want to talk to Vanessa, you can talk to me. Or John. Or Holly. We're here for you, brother. You've done plenty for me over the years. This is the least I can do."

I nod, grateful for his support.

"So what's the story with you two now?" Evan asks, knowing exactly where my thoughts have gone next: My mate.

My blood heats at the mere thought of her.

"I don't know. I mean, she didn't want me back then. She helped me, but that doesn't mean she wants me to claim her now. But…" I scratch my head, frustrated. "I mean, fuck, I know the bond is still there. And physically, we're drawn to each other. But this was a lot. Maybe she's not ready. I don't want to push her."

Holly appears at Evan's side, with her hair sticking up all over the place, and eyes puffy from sleep. Her scent mingles with Evan's, marking them out as a mated pair.

With a big yawn, she stretches and steps into the room, awkwardly kneeling beside me on the bath mat and turning off the taps before the hot water flows over the side and floods the bathroom. She rests her hand over mine and gives it a squeeze, her touch carrying the calm assurance of someone who understands mate bonds deeply.

"Ask her, Ben. Just ask her what she wants. And if it's space, give it to her. I have a feeling she's going to need you to just be there. You can do that. Even as friends for now, worry about the romance later. She'll let you know."

Maybe we'll just be friends at first, and we’ll figure out the rest with time. It's still better than being apart like we have been for the last few years. The mate bond can survive friendship… it has survived worse.

"I can do that," I say. "I can definitely do that."

Holly pulls some fluffy towels from the cupboard and shoves them in my direction.

"Good. Then let her get cleaned up and tuck her up into bed. Me and Evan will stay up so your beast can rest."

Evan wraps an arm around Holly and presses a kiss to the top of her head, appreciating her offer to keep him company as he keeps watch. They're a team, perfectly in sync, and as I go to retrieve Vanessa from the living room, I'm determined to show her we can be the same.

My beast stirs with renewed purpose. We'll give her whatever she needs, for as long as she needs it. Hopefully, eventually, that will include me.

26

VANESSA

As I lie back on the sofa, apparently, not allowed to do anything other than just chill out, I close my eyes and try to get some sleep. I feel safe in the knowledge that nothing and nobody can get past the King’s. Their scents permeate the house, marking it as a home of some strong males.

My beast should feel secure here, surrounded by my mate’s smell, but anxiety still crawls under my skin. Instead of reliving the horrors of the compound, my mind conjures something far worse—Ben walking away. My heart aches at the mere thought.

In my dream, he looks at me with those gorgeous amber eyes, which are now cold and distant, and says the words I've been dreading…

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