Page 42 of Simon

I huffed and let out a bleat. The bigger the group, the more likely the ogre would find her.

“No, dangerous. You safe here.”

Her eyes narrowed. “I am not; we are not. There aren’t enough of us, Simon. That thing could hurt you or me! Hurt someone else. Has anyone—not human—tried to talk to an ogre? It can talk. Surely not that stupid.”

I pulled her into my arms to calm her shivering. She was cold and wet, and I needed to get her warm quickly. Humans get sick easier; I knew that.

“You cannot reason with ogres. Orcs have tried.”

“But—”

I forced her nose into the crook of my neck. She took a deep breath and sighed.

“Promise you, you are safe.” I rocked her back and forth. “I protect you.”

A low growl rumbled in my chest as I ran my sharp claws through her hair. She leaned against me and sighed, finally giving in to me.

Chapter Fifteen

Simon

Mymatedidn’tfallasleep until dawn.

The towering tree we had sought refuge in shielded us from the relentless downpour that had continued off and on through the night. Its gnarled branches, covered in lush foliage, had provided a sturdy haven for us.

The rustling of leaves in the wind had whispered a soothing melody, as the scent of damp earth mingled with the crisp freshness of rain. Nestled in the protective embrace of the tree, I felt a comforting sense of security.

It felt safe. It felt right being here with her.

My mate held onto me before she fell asleep. I knew it was because she was scared, but I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride that she knew I would protect her.

I wanted to stand up and bang on my chest.

Except my mind was on the ogre to celebrate for too long. They were persistent in hunting for what they wanted, and when I lusted after my mate, I had forgotten just how powerful her arousal was.

No longer. I would make sure her scent was no longer detectable when she hungered for me.

Because I would always give her what she wanted.

A small shudder ran through Lucy as she nestled under my arms. I didn’t want to let her go after the encounter with the ogre. My body shielded her scent. The ogre would not know my smell, and he only wanted my mate.

Unfortunately, she was still wet from soaking in the deep stream, and I knew she would become sick if I did not get her dry.

Once the first hint of a light source entered the sky, her body relaxed, and she fell limp in my arms. I gently pressed my nose against her neck and encircled my hand around her throat, feeling the steady beat of her pulse beneath my thumb.

No one would touch her. Not those souls that brought her here and definitely not that wolf shifter, Dutton.

I grabbed several leaves nearby and laid them down in the wide area of the tree where I had held her. It cupped inwardly deep enough. I knew she wouldn’t roll out of the tree. It would have been the perfect nesting area for us while she rested and I figured out what we should do next.

I pressed my lips gently to her forehead, feeling the warmth of her skin against my own. As I let go of her body, a slight shiver ran through her, causing a pang of concern to stir within me. Icouldn’t help but wonder if it was a longing for my touch or a sign of her falling ill.

I leaned in close, my trembling finger tracing the delicate contours of her face. As I brushed my finger against her flushed cheek, I could feel the warmth radiating off her skin, a stark reminder of the feverish nights Calliope used to endure when she would become sick. A deep sigh escaped me, laced with frustration and impatience.

I could not let my mate get sick.

I reluctantly released her, inhaling her scent once more. With anticipation coursing through me, I cautiously ascended a sturdy, moss-covered branch, and my eyes diligently surveyed the canopy. And there it was, my desired prize, beckoning me from three trees away.

Agilely leaping across branches, I reached out and tightly grasped the giant leaf, its majestic hue a fusion of deep purple intertwined with delicate pink veins. With a vigorous tug, the leaf severed from the tree, causing a cascade of ethereal white downy cotton to erupt from beneath the leaf. It will serve as a good blanket, and I could peel the rest to make a nest around her.

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