Page 45 of Little Bunny

Revealing very explicit details. To this day Elijah dodged Paul whenever he saw the guy in the hallway. Trent hadn’t just manipulated Elijah. He’d exposed and degraded him.

This wasn’t just about cameras. It was about a past humiliation so deep that it still had a chokehold on him. Matias had promised he wasn’t like Trent, that mating with him would—

Warm fingers tucked under Elijah’s chin, coaxing him back to the present. “Talk to me, little bunny. What are you looking for?”

“The c-cameras.” If Matias had done something so heinous, Elijah would be devastated. He might’ve argued a lot with him and had plenty of doubt, but Elijah trusted Matias, felt safe with him.

“What cameras, Elijah?” Matias’s brows had dipped even lower, looking genuinely confused.

“The ones in the kitchen.” Elijah felt near tears. He didn’t want to find proof. He wanted to be wrong. He needed to believe Matias wasn’t like Trent.

Leaning in, Matias said in a low tone, his knuckles brushing Elijah’s cheek. “Do you think I would worship you in front of prying eyes, cariño? You are all mine, and I do not share, mate.”

“But he said…” Elijah took a deep breath, trying to slow his racing heart. He licked his lips, staring right into Matias’s light brown eyes, grounding himself, forcing himself to believe him.

“Who?” Matias asked. “Who said there were cameras in here?” His tone was even, steady, but his eyes had begun to glow.

Oh god! Tito had only said that so Elijah wouldn’t try to sneak out, unaware of his past trauma. Glancing around, Elijah gasped at the wrecked kitchen. Cupboards hung open, drawers had been overturned and emptied, boxes and cans of food tossed everywhere. Holy crap. What had he done?

“Conejito,” Matias said in a tight voice. “Who told you there were cameras—” The glowing in his eyes intensified. “Tito.”

He spun and walked out. Elijah’s heart thumped wildly as he raced behind him. “He only said that to stop me—” Elijah shouted when Matias stalked behind the counter and curled his hand around Tito’s throat, baring sharp canines.

“You dare lie to mi elegido and send him into a fucking frenzy?”

It wasn’t what Matias said but the absolute stillness in his voice. Elijah actively feared for Tito’s life. Matias just snapped and in the most controlled, terrifying way possible.

The men in the room didn’t say a word. Didn’t move a muscle as they watched Matias’s lethal reaction. Elijah stood there frozen, watching the pure rage transforming Matias’s features.

“I only said that so he wouldn’t try to sneak out again,” Tito choked out, his back against the wall of liquor.

Matias uncurled his fingers then pinned Elijah with his deadly gaze. That was not a look he wanted aimed at him. Matias appeared possessed, eyes glowing, his face a mask of rage. “You would disobey me?”

Elijah could’ve sworn he’d heard disappointment and…a flicker of hurt in his tone.

“Not by choice.” His answer was immediate and honest. “But I’m desperate to find Percy.”

The way Matias’s head slowly tilted to one side made Elijah’s soul whimper. “Where. Is. Percy?”

Elijah opened his mouth, only to realize the question hadn’t been directed at him. But he couldn’t allow Tito to take the blame.

“Percy was gone before you guys even left,” Elijah stated firmly. He glanced around, noticing Santiago wasn’t in the room. Thank goodness. One pissed-off wolf was already too much to deal with. If Santiago knew, the guy would probably kill Tito first then go on the hunt for Percy.

But none of this was Tito’s fault, damn it!

Matias studied Elijah for a long, heart-pounding moment. Then he uttered a single, terrifying word. “Kitchen.”

Without waiting for Elijah, Matias walked from behind the bar, his strides confident.

Guess he wants me to follow like a good little boy. Elijah ground his teeth and stomped after him, only because his pack was there and Elijah didn’t want to put on a show. If Matias was about to yell at him, Elijah would stand his ground. If one of his men was missing, Matias wouldn’t hesitate to track them down. Why should Elijah not be allowed to do that same? Percy wasn’t one of his “guys,” but that didn’t make him any less important.

Walking into the room, Elijah was ready to defend his actions. Only Matias was leaning his back against the wall, gazing up at the ceiling. He reached out, and Elijah immediately went to him. Strong arms wrapped around him, holding him close.

Elijah had no idea what was going on, but it was clear Matias needed him. The stoic, unshakable pack leader needed comfort, and Elijah melted into him, willing to give him whatever he needed.

Because Elijah needed him to.

Men like Matias didn’t show weakness. They were never afraid. Always in control and in charge.

---