Bryce slammed his hand into the screen door, walking out onto the front porch. He wasn’t going to deny he was torn. His bear was growling for him to go save Ahm. But the human part of him wasn’t going to let the man continue to hurt him.
He thought about all the times he had encountered Ahm over the years, never knowing he was staring at his mate. But Ahm knew, and the man hadn’t said a fucking word.
Bryce wanted to punch something.
Too bad Ahm wasn’t standing in front of him.
“You okay?” Steven asked from the porch swing.
Running his hands over his hair, Bryce shook his head. “No.”
Steven grew quiet, using his foot to sway the swing back and forth. Bryce was so damn confused inside he wasn’t sure what he wanted to do. Working wasn’t an option right now. Driving anywhere didn’t interest him. Hell, at this point, breathing was optional.
His heart hurt.
Steven pushed from the swing, walking toward Bryce, and laid a hand on Bryce’s arm. “If you need to talk, I’m a real good listener.”
All Bryce could do was nod. He didn’t want to talk right now. He wanted to hurt Ahm as badly as the man had hurt him. Christian’s message came to mind and Bryce became angrier. How dare the elf use what Bryce felt against him. That was the lowest thing anyone had ever done to him.
He glanced up when his brothers started heading his way. He knew his pa had called them into the house. Bryce knew where they were going, and he had an overwhelming urge to knock all of them out to stop them.
Instead, he took a seat on the swing, resting his face in his hands. Was he a bad person for not going? Did that make him a monster?
He heard the screen door slam shut and glanced up. Bryce was shocked not one of his brothers had said a word to him. Even Chauncey had passed up the opportunity to poke fun at him.
It was a very scary day when the twins kept quiet.
Bryce didn’t want to be here for this. He needed to get away.
Heading toward the barn, he decided to take a long ride on Hell Raiser. Riding through the land just might help him think more clearly.
He wasn’t sure anything would help, but sticking around to see if his pa brought Ahm to the ranch wasn’t something Bryce wanted to find out.
Chapter Six
Ahm was barely conscious when he was laid on the couch. He had fought with honed skills, but was outnumbered by the time the bears had shown up. He hadn’t thought he would make it out of there alive. The only thought on his mind before his rescue was never seeing Bryce again. His mate had been on his mind when Ahm thought he was going to die. His mate was still on his mind because Bryce hadn’t been with his family when they had come to rescue him.
Where was Bryce?
“Easy now,” Malcolm said as he moved back. “I’m going to call Dr. Sheehan to come look at you. But until then, I want you to stay on the couch and rest.”
Ahm was too weak to argue. He had lost a lot of blood and suffered multiple injuries. The bears had come in, helped fight off the attacking Shadow elves, and then grabbed Ahm, hauling ass out of there.
He was forever grateful to Malcolm’s mate, Luke. Not many fey would risk their life and the lives of their family members, including their mate, for anyone. “Thank you,” he said with effort.
“Don’t thank me yet. I just might have brought you here to get your ass skinned alive.” Malcolm walked from the room and Ahm knew he was referring to the missing bear.
He knew he deserved no less from Bryce. Ahm had been a selfish bastard, all in the name of traditions and tribe. He had been too afraid of what his people would think if he claimed Bryce. Now it just might have cost him his mate…and tribe.
How in the hell had he gotten himself into this situation?
Oh yeah, stupidity.
He had stupidly allowed himself to fear what his tribe would do, and he had stupidly kept his mate at bay. Ahm just prayed he hadn’t lost the man.
“Do you need anything?”
Ahm removed his arm from over his eyes to see…what was his name again? Ah yes, this one belonged to Maverick’s pack. Curtis. “No thank you.” Ahm placed his arm back over his eyes, wincing when he felt the muscles in his shoulder pull. Why couldn’t he heal like the shifters? He envied them that.
The smell of food wafted into the living room, and Ahm realized he was starving. He hadn’t eaten anything since before he had come to watch Bryce work. His stomach was loudly complaining now.
Ahm pushed to get up when the front door opened. He stilled when he realized it was Bryce. His mate stood there proud and tall, thick with muscles that looked as if they had been kissed by the very sun. His pecs made his shirt stretch far and wide, and his handsome features were tight with tension. All Ahm could do was stare. Ever since laying eyes on the man, Ahm had thought him the most handsome creature alive.