Page 44 of Destined Mate

“Good. So, please, feel free to stay here if you want. Or if you’d rather go back to where everyone is at, then go. Or maybe you’d like to grab a quick shower on your own and take a few minutes for yourself?”

A slight smile crossed Jerome’s face. “I would like to change, yes. These are the clothes they forced me to wear.”

That smile, unlike the last strained attempt, reached Jerome’s eyes, crinkling the corners in a genuine expression of happiness. It made Wesley happy to see it.

“Then by all means, feel free to change… and burn them if you would like,” Wesley joked quietly, then paused and truly looked at Jerome.

While what Jerome wore was indeed sexy, Wesley sensed it didn’t quite match the laid-back vibe he associated with Jerome. Still, if Jerome chose to dress that way, Wesley wouldn’t object. He could wear what he wanted.

“I just might.”

For the first time, Wesley sensed an emotion from Jerome other than unease—anger. This was the first hint Wesley had observed, and he welcomed it. He hadn’t believed Elmer had completely broken Jerome, but he had certainly managed to subdue him.

Wesley couldn’t wait until Jerome was confident enough to show his real personality.

“Feel free to throw anything else that belonged to them on that bonfire,” Wesley added. “In fact, let’s do that. No joke. I think it would be good for you and the pack.”

Jerome’s eyes widened before he blew out a breath. “Yes. I think it would too. I actually really like that idea.”

Some of Jerome’s tension eased as Wesley watched him. He seemed a little more relaxed. “Okay, I’m going to shower now.”

“Everything you need should be in there—towels, shampoo, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste. You know, the works. And a hairbrush.”

Wesley saw Jerome eyeing his long blond hair. Yup, he definitely needed a hairbrush. “Thanks.”

Jerome shifted his weight from one foot to another as his shoulders relaxed the most they had since Wesley had found him. “You sure you don’t mind if I leave?”

Wesley nodded toward the bathroom door as he opened it. “Go find something you’re comfortable in and do whatever you need to do. Could you maybe meet me back here in twenty minutes, though? I’m not sure I can find my way around.”

Which was bullshit, but Jerome didn’t call him on it.

“Sure, Alpha. I mean, Wesley. Right. I’ll be back shortly.” Jerome shot him a grateful look before turning away and trotting down the hall.

Wesley shut the bathroom door, started the shower, then stepped under the hot stream of water that gushed from the showerhead. It was scalding hot, but it eased knots out of muscles.

He knew the minutes would pass by rapidly, so he got busy getting clean.

Chapter Twelve

Jerome

BY FENRIR, Wesley was his mate. His Fated mate. The knowledge slammed into him with the force of a rogue wave, toppling his emotions with its intensity and leaving him disoriented.

He had a Fated mate.

Jerome couldn’t wrap his mind around it, yet at the same time, it felt right, like something inside of him that had been out of place suddenly clicked into position.

His wolf was practically howling, urging him to go back, to run to Wesley and seal the bond, but Jerome forced himself to steady his breathing and think.

Everything was still so new, so fragile. His wolf didn’t care about all that, but Jerome did.

There was an overwhelming urge to surrender completely, to simply submit and let Wesley sink his teeth into him. His wolf was all for going belly up. Jerome… wanted that, but the past week had revealed the damage a poor alpha could inflict on him and his pack.

Wesley portrayed himself as a good wolf.

Jerome thought he was, because surely their god wouldn’t mate him to someone cold and cruel. He touched his lips once more, feeling the gentle, rhythmic pulse beneath his fingertips. The sensation was oddly soothing, a warm, persistent throb that brought a sense of comfort.

What else, he wondered, could Wesley make throb? His mind wandered through possibilities, each more intriguing than the last. Jeez. He was getting hard. Right. Better not go there or the entire pack house would know what he was thinking.

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