Page 42 of Tender Wild

They honestly didn’t see his flaws.

Miguel’s jaw clenched as he let out a breath, frustration flickering behind his eyes.

“I’m a wolf. I wear my leather no matter the occasion. I’m covered in scars, and I live with an insane cat named Psycho that, according to my mate, needs therapy.”

Agnes blinked and looked right at Jared. “Wait, you weren’t kidding about the cat?”

“She definitely needs therapy,” Jared insisted. “You would too if you were surrounded by wolves,” he added under his breath.

“I’ve got to meet this adorable little furball.” She sounded curious, which made Miguel think he might be the one needing therapy.

“Good luck with that,” he muttered.

“How did you get those bruises?” Agnes asked her son, getting up from her chair and walking over to him.

Miguel was out of his seat in seconds.

She turned her head, eyes glowing amber. “I would never lay a finger on my son. Calm down, wolf. I just want to examine him.”

Miguel didn’t move, watching her closely, not sure he could trust that she genuinely didn’t care about the flaws he’d pointed out about himself.

Her fingers hovered near Jared’s chin, then her gaze lowered to his neck. She gasped, gently moving aside the fabric, tears brimming in her green eyes.

Miguel watched her, wondering if she thought he’d left those marks on his mate.

Not everyone saw bonding as sacred. It was rare, but there were some who abused their mate or even cheated on them.

“Who did this?” Her voice quivered.

“Hyenas,” Jared whispered. “They broke into Miguel’s last night and tried to tranquillize us.”

Shock resonated through her features. She pulled Jared into her arms, hugging him tightly. “I heard rumors about those filthy scoundrels darting shifters, but I wasn’t sure if it was true.”

Agnes glanced over her shoulder, concern in her eyes. “Did either of you…”

“No.” Miguel shook his head, touched she was worried about him too.

Her eyes narrowed. “Tell me they paid for their attempt.”

A smile tugged at Miguel’s lips. “They won’t be breaking into anyone else’s house. Your son was amazing, by the way.”

“Jared?” She turned back around. “My Jared took on a hyena?”

For the first time since it’d happened, pride lit up Jared’s eyes. “And won.”

Chapter Ten

Jared couldn’t stop grinning as they walked down the porch steps. His dad had actually laughed at Miguel’s jokes, his mom had pinched Miguel’s cheeks before they left, and most importantly, nobody had mentioned the word “wolf” with any hint of disgust.

“Your face is gonna stick that way.” Miguel twirled his keys around his finger as they headed down the concrete path lined with solar lights. The glow from the living room window cast long shadows across the manicured lawn, neat stripes left by his father’s meticulous mowing.

He turned to glance over his shoulder, catching the silhouette of his parents framed in the doorway.

His mom leaned into his dad’s side, her head resting on his shoulder, arms wrapped around his waist. For a moment, Jared felt a pang of something. Not quite sadness, not quite nostalgia. Just the strange sensation of a chapter ending, another beginning.

“Can you blame me?” he asked when he turned back around. “My dad actually asked when you’re coming back.” He bumped his shoulder against Miguel’s arm. “That’s basically a marriage proposal in dad-speak.”

Miguel snorted, the sound warm in the cooling evening air. “Your mom force-fed me three helpings of lasagna.”

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