Page 16 of The Brooding Alpha's Mate
No one needed to see another person poop.
I went to the bathroom and hopped into the shower, using the bar of soap from the package. When I got out, there was a toothbrush and some toothpaste sitting on the side of the sink that hadn’t been there before.
Alex.
He was so thoughtful. He deserved a mate who wasn’t as messed up as me. I brushed my teeth and put on the fresh clothes left on the closed toilet.
My mate made breakfast. Provided for me. I was waiting this morning with a smile on my face.
Not to mention, when I’d woken up the night before, having a nightmare, he’d cuddled me, hugged me, whispered sweet things to me until I fell back asleep. He asked no questions. Just took care of me.
He did everything except the one thing I craved the most.
Alex hadn’t made the slightest move on me.
Every time I talked to him or even looked at him, my gaze was drawn to his lips. They were full, inviting, and I would bet my life that his kiss was all encompassing.
“Everything okay?” Alex knocked on the door.
“Yes. I’m coming out now.”
I walked out and smelled coffee over everything else. Everything else except him. “Coffee,” I murmured like a prayer.
“I made you a cup and set up everything outside. There’s a picnic table under the oak tree. Join me for breakfast, mate?”
“Of course. Thank you.”
I followed him out of the cabin and stopped right outside the door. My wolf detected no danger. Scented no lions or any other shifter for that matter.
The only scents were that of food, coffee, my mate, and outside. Growing grass. Crisp wind. Wildflowers. Sunshine.
If not for people hunting us, this might be the perfect day.
“Come eat, mate. You look like you need it.”
I bent at the waist and examined my form. “I’m too skinny,” I said with a shrug.
“Oh, sweetheart. I didn’t mean that. I care for you in any shape. But my bear has picked up some…deficiencies. And he smells how starving you are.”
My mate meant no harm. “I wasn’t given a lot of food. I ate scraps and leftovers when I could but there was always a chance that I would be caught.”
Anger poured off him and threatened to topple me over with its force. “That ends today. From now on, you may eat and drink whatever you like, whenever you like, until you’re satisfied.”
I made my way to the picnic table and attempted to sit next to Alex, but he pulled me closer, tucking me against his side. He served me up more food than I’d had in a week with the lions. He added butter and cheese to my grits and then waited.
And stared at me.
“What?” I asked.
“My fathers taught me that alphas don’t eat until an omega takes a bite. I’m a gentleman.”
“Oh.” Never heard that rule. Ever. My dad and my brother ate their fill, and I was lucky to get one serving to their four. I spooned some eggs and put them into my mouth. I’d taken so long in the bathroom that they were lukewarm, but they were rich and cooked in butter.
Alex began to eat after me, but he monitored me closely. When I ran out of eggs, he replaced the serving until I’d eaten enough to make me comatose.
“No,” I said, stopping him from refilling my plate again. “I’m stuffed. You might have to roll me back into the cabin.”
“Are you sure?” he asked.
