Fated for Forever(49)

have found a way into Arkadia, then he isn’t safe there.”

“There is no proof that vampires have breached the perimeter. Let me work this like a human crime

scene. Ashby is safer here behind the perimeter until we can prove otherwise,” Aleks said, walking over to

the open shop door.

“He is my mate.”

“I swear to you my brothers and I will guard him like our own. His bond to Rebecca has made him like

a brother to her and a part of our family. As soon as Doc clears him, we’re taking him home to the ranch.

There is no safer place,” Aleks said confidently.

“You keep him safe and I will do everything in my power to eliminate the threat to my mate,” Gabriel

said darkly before disconnecting. Aleks stared down at the phone and shook his head. He tried to feel sorry

for the bastard threatening Ashby but couldn’t. Ashby’s pain was Rebecca’s pain, the son of a bitch needed

to die, and die soon.





* * * *



“OK. I was a little rattled. I’ve put my whole life into my shop. I still think his comment about getting a

Life Alert necklace was totally uncalled for,” Ashby said, pouting, wrapped up in the softest blanket

Rebecca owned while sipping hot chocolate. Nic smiled down into his mug of tea. Ashby, Nic and Rebecca

were sprawled out on the guest room sofas after Aleks dropped them off at their house before heading back

out to meet with Bran and Liam about patrols.

“Oh Ashby, you know he was kidding. It was his way of showing his concern of having to treat you for

serious trauma three times in nearly a week,” Rebecca said, trying to smooth over Ashby’s prickled pride.

“I didn’t ask for any of this. Finding your mate should be a happy occasion,” Ashby said, sighing.

“Yeah, I wouldn’t anything know about that. My mate rejected me, I was attacked like three times, then

kidnapped and whipped when I got mated,” Rebecca said, blowing on her hot chocolate. Ashby’s eyes

widened.

“Oh honey I didn’t mean to…” he started. She smiled up at him and waved off his apology.

“If this is what being mated his like, count me out,” Nic said, shuddering.

“But seriously, like being beaten and kidnapped, totally worth it for the great sex,” Rebecca said,

nodding to herself.

“She’s right. It’s totally worth it.” Ashby agreed. They both looked at each other and started giggling.

“No booty is worth all this mess,” Nic said, shaking his head.

“He’s a freak, super freak! ” Rebecca said poking Ashby in the arm. Nic laughed.

“No, Becca. No singing.” Ashby poked her back.

“At first I was afraid. I was petrified.” Rebecca began the words to “I Will Survive” and Nic groaned,

burying his head between the sofa cushions. But the words sparked something in Ashby. Rebecca was right.

He would survive this. He threw off his blanket and put down his hot chocolate before jumping up to stand

on the sofa. He took over singing.

“Oh no, not I, I will survive. ” He bounced his head from side to side and slapped his shaking ass.

Rebecca hooted and hollered beside him, egging him on as Nic rapped out the beat on the night stand.

Just as he was finishing up the final notes he turned to face the doorway only to see Aleks standing

there slack-jawed with a cell phone in his hand. The room suddenly got quiet. Aleks slowly brought the

phone up to his ear and trying to keep a straight face said,

“I would say he’s doing better.”

Ashby’s slapped both hands over his mouth and stared in horror at the cell phone. Aleks held out the

phone and wiggled it.

“It’s for you,” he said, chuckling. Ashby shook his head. Behind him he heard Rebecca and Nic lose all

sense of composure and began to laugh hysterically.

“Come on Ashby, your mate needs to hear your voice…some more,” Aleks said, walking over placing

the phone into Ashby’s hand and closing it around the phone.

“Come on Giggles, let’s leave the man in peace,” Aleks said, walking over to pick up Rebecca who was

still trying to breathe. She waved to Nic and Ashby as Aleks carried her out of the room. Nic wiped his

eyes.

“I’m jumping in the shower,” he said before walking to the en suite bathroom. Ashby stared down at the

phone.

“Angel, please put the phone to your ear,” he heard Gabriel say and immediately brought the phone up.

“I’m here,” he said, wanting to kick himself for sounding so lame. He heard Gabriel’s soft laughter and

couldn’t help but smile. He jumped down off the sofa and walked over to one of the two queen beds in the