Page 23 of Silent Fire

Great, I just overloaded the poor guy’s mind. He was about to snap his fingers in front of Noel’s face when his mate blinked.

“What exactly does that mean?” he asked slowly, voice wary.

Tomas drew a fortifying breath. It was too late to back out of the conversation, so he just plowed forward. “It means my wolf wants to protect and cherish you, like…forever.”

The skin under Noel’s eye twitched, the bag in his hands crinkling. “Your wolf wants to marry me? How…” He licked his lips, still looking at Tomas like he was insane. “How does that even work?”

The bag crinkled even louder. If Noel kept gripping it so tightly, he’d smash the food.

Because that’s his main concern right now. Cinnamon rolls.

“Does that mean it’ll take your place?” Noel wrinkled his nose. “I’m not.” The side of his mouth twitch as the tension in his features eased. “Good one. You had me going for a second.”

Yep. This was going according to plan. Noel was falling into his arms, agreeing to be his mate. “You don’t believe me?”

“That’s just it. I do believe you, but I was hoping you were just trying to prove you had a sense of humor.” Pressing a hand to his forehead, Noel turned and walked to Tomas’s bike.

Concerned, he followed, reaching out to touch Noel’s arm, needing the connection, but curled his fingers in, giving him space instead.

“I—”

“Zit.” Noel held up his hand, finger wagging back and forth. “You’re going to let me process this, buster. You can drop that MOAB on me and expect me to simply say okay.”

“I never—”

“One more word,” Noel warned, glaring up at him. “You’re asking for a huge commitment, so I get whatever the hell I want right now.”

He watched Noel process everything, his heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and dread. His wolf paced restlessly, desperate to claim their mate fully. But Tomas knew better than to push. With Noel, he had to go slow, make him feel safe every step of the way.

Never again would Noel feel the harshness of having his needs ignored, even if it killed Tomas not to hold his elegido through this.

After blowing out a breath, Noel squared his shoulder and gave a curt nod. Tomas held his breath, wondering what that meant.

“Go ahead.” Noel waved his hand with a small flourish. Tomas was pretty certain it was his mate’s way of regaining some control of the situation.

“No, my wolf wouldn’t replace me,” Tomas said. “It wants to share a deep bond with you, but it’s my ugly mug you’ll see almost all the time.”

“Almost?” Noel’s voice didn’t sound as strained, his shoulders relaxing slightly.

The ring in Tomas’s pocket felt even heavier than before. “My wolf will come out if it feels you’re in danger.” Whether right or wrong, he omitted the fact he had two beasts inside of him. Noel was barely dealing with his wolf. Tomas didn’t want to know how he’d handle the news of a lycanthrope.

The truth would be revealed, eventually. “Is Brian your husband?” Tomas asked the question before he could stop the words from tumbling out.

“Hell no!” Noel jerked his head back, then his brows shot up just as a few customers exited the diner. “You think because of that ring…” He shook his head, anger blazing in his eyes. “That’s the one time I stood my ground,” Noel said softly, rubbing his ring finger like the band was still there. “He forced it on my hand while telling me he owned me.”

“He really is an asshole,” Tomas snarled, relieved Noel hadn’t bound himself to that bastard.

“You’ve no idea.” Noel snorted. “I yanked it off and told him I couldn’t marry a monster. Tossed the ring aside as I fled.” He trembled slightly as pride flared in his eyes.

Tomas grinned so hard his goddamn face hurt. “You’re such a badass, sweetheart.”

His mate blushed and ducked his head, smiling. “Thanks. It felt good to finally stand up for myself.” The smile faded. “It was the only time I did.”

“You take that win and you run with it,” Tomas snarled softly. “All that matters is that you survived, Noel. You came out of that hell a stronger person. Maybe not whole, but intact, giving yourself a chance to heal.”

And Tomas was so damn glad he had. Not because Noel was his mate, but because no one should have to live that way.

Because Noel surviving meant Brian had lost. And as soon as Tomas found him, he would cease to exist.

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