Page 269 of Labor of Love

7

HAZEL

My eyes flutter open and I'm in an unfamiliar bed, covered in unrecognizable blankets and wrapped in the warm arms my body recognizes as only one person—my mate. My human mate. My chest squeezes tight in panic.

This will never be accepted. The whole situation is unheard of. If my father ever finds out, he will punish us both. I can't let that happen. The only way to ensure we both remain safe from my father's turmoil is to Ieave and never return. The very thought has my stomach twisting in knots but the alternative leaves me even more nauseated.

I wiggle out of his hold, sighing in relief when he remains sleeping as I climb off the bed. I grab a random pair of pants, a t-shirt, and a pair of tennis shoes, hurrying out the front door. I'm halfway down the driveway when I stop and look back, my heart squeezing. My feet latch to the ground and each step I try to take feels like I'm walking with weights. Going back is easier than moving forward. It also doesn't leave a deep pain in my bones.

I turn around, quickly walking inside, my body happy to oblige with my decision. Closing and locking the door behind me, I strip out of my clothes. Heading back to the room where soft snores are coming from, I climb back under the coversand snuggle into him again, welcoming the large arm slinging around me.

“Where'd you go, little one?” His soft spoken words tickle my ear.

“Bathroom. Shifters use those too.”

A chuckle slips from his lips, and he drags me closer to his body. “Is it still dark out?”

“Mhm.”

“Let's go back to sleep then,” he whispers between yawns.

“I gotta say.” I turn into him, nudging my head against his chest. “Your bed is way more comfortable than my cage.”

His fingers slide down to my hip, gripping me tighter. “And I'm able to sleep better in it with you here, so I think it works out well for everyone involved.”

“Yeah and you're also not so great at shutting cage doors.”

“No, but maybe that's not such a bad thing.”

I close my eyes, smiling into his skin. “No. Not a bad thing at all.”

Parker's right. We can figure everything else out tomorrow.

My growling stomach wakes me and when I open my eyes, Parker's spot is empty. Looking around, I toss the covers off me and follow the savory scent into the kitchen. Parker is dancing in his underwear in front of the stove like yesterday, and my shoulders sag when I imagine not being able to wake up to this sight ever again. Will he realize he wants me to leave today? I don't think I can if he doesn't ask me to. Will I be able to if he does?

Flipping pancakes with one hand, Parker stirs the eggs with the other. Bacon rests on a plate on the counter next to him andhe starts singing, not turning around until I pull a chair from under the table.

His brows lift and his cheeks flush when he realizes he has an audience. “Morning.” The corners of his lips lift. “Sleep okay?”

“Yeah. Better than I have in a long time.” I take a seat, resting my hands in my lap when his gaze drifts between my legs and I remember I'm naked. My cheeks heat and his throat bobs.

“You can borrow some of my clothes if you want. If it makes you feel more comfortable.”

Scooting closer to the table, I say, “Thanks, but I'm okay for now. I'm normally used to being naked around others. I guess being here just makes it feel different.”

He frowns. “Like in a bad way?’

I shake my head, wiggling in my seat. “No…it's just.” I nibble on my bottom lip, looking everywhere but at him. “When you look at me like that I…it….I get…” My breaths stutter and my cheeks flush.

“Oh. I see.” He wiggles his brows, smirking as he shuts off the stove. “I don't see a problem with that, and it really is difficult not to look at you.” He looks like he wants to say more but doesn't.

“You're still not freaked out about everything?” I ask, a flutter of nerves taking hold of my stomach.

“Oh, I am a little.” He plates the food and carries everything to the table. “I woke up this morning not sure how I'd find you but was really glad when it was in my bed and as a human.”

“You can find me like that for a second morning if you want.” I bat my lashes gently.

His lips turn up into an easy smile. “We did say we'd figure things out tomorrow but we didn't say which, did we?”

---