Page 78 of Banished Mates
Trusting them... that was what it came down to.
Had Nola trusted anyone to protect her? No, instead she’d chosen to leave.
Maybe it wasn’t just leaving for safety, maybe it was selfishness too. She hadn’t faced anything or chosen to trust Hector who would have made sure she was safe. Instead, she abandoned us.
“What if you die protecting me?”
Camden growled. “She’s going on about the same shit.”
Kit huffed and used his claw to gently force my chin up so I faced him.
“You belong to us. Not a question.”
His green gaze set on mine, unwavering. His muzzle hovered near my face. They’d proven they would follow. I took a beat to consider more than myself. I was behaving like my mother. Acting like I knew best instead of trusting those around me.
Hope bloomed in my chest. I could... keep them?
I didn’t want to be away from them, and stubbornness hadn’t helped me much.
The corners of my lips tipped up and I tilted my head back and pressed my lips to Kit’s wet nose. Rowan lifted from my legs and sensation washed down them, shooting tingles to my toes. Rowan whined and ran his tongue up my cheek in a swift swipe. I reached over and buried my fingers in the fur behind his ear. He groaned and tilted toward my hand.
The door creaked and in a swift move Rowan bounded off the bed, growling at the door.
Meridith cringed back but quickly straightened with a scowl.
I smirked, enjoying her fear. It practically radiated from her pores. Camden made some odd noise between a laugh and a snort, his hand engulfing the back of my neck, taking care with his claws.
Meridith remained near the door, hugging the bag to her chest as she glared at us.
“Hector was asking for Camden and Kit.”
My shoulders immediately tightened hearing their names from her lips and my eyes narrowed on her.
She licked her lips. “I can’t even say their names?”
I continued looking at her and winged my brow upward.
“Fuck, fine. Willow, can you inform your mates that Alpha is looking for them?”
The shock of the title took me off guard. She just said Hector was looking for them.
I turned to Camden and tilted my head. He leaned forward and pressed his nose into my temple.
“Later.”
I nodded slowly. Kit flexed his grip and then released me.
“Let’s get it over with.” Camden stood, cock semihard. Meridith’s face flushed, eyes rounding.
I clicked my tongue and yanked the pillow he’d been laying on and threw it at him.
A tightening burn stung my chest. I winced, cringing to hug myself.
“Willow!” Kit growled. I struggled sucking in a breath, but I tugged the other pillow and shoved it at his chest. His claws flexed into it, tearing the fabric.
He huffed and straightened.
“Watch her,” Kit growled at Rowan. “Do nae let her move.”
