In The Roar(12)
He nodded. She shoved the blankets back and got into bed, waiting for him. He got on the bed beside her, his big, muscled body a hard contrast against her curvier softer one. She curled her naked body into his, loving how perfectly they fit together.
“Why did you come to my rescue at the bar?” she asked. She’d been eternally grateful he had shown up. Gerard’s much bigger frame made it hard for her to get away.
“I saw him slip something into your drink. You didn’t drink it, did you?”
She growled. “That rat bastard. No, I didn’t. I learned a long time ago not to drink anything left sitting with anyone you don’t know and trust.”
“I’m glad you knew better. I was ready to kill him for trying to take advantage of you.”
She pressed her body into his. God, he was warm. He was a human heat pump. He caressed her back, sending tingles down her spine.
“Sleep, beautiful. I’m here to take care of you.”
She grinned. She didn’t normally have anyone offer to care of her, but he sounded so serious. She felt bad telling him she could take care of herself. She had all her life.
TEN
Karel paced the living area of Liv’s apartment. Something was wrong. He felt it in the depth of his bones. His animal pushed for a shift, wanting loose.
The buzz of his communicator had him reaching into his pocket. Even though a smaller version of what Gerri used, this one still showed a hologram of the person calling.
“Alyx,” he said, watching his best friend’s image appear in the darkened living room.
“Karel,” Alyx’s features were set in grim lines, “I have bad news.”
“How long do I have?”
Alyx met his gaze. “Not long.”
A very pregnant Bella came into view, curling her arm around Alyx. “I’m sorry, Karel. We heard from your people that your mother really wants to see you.”
He nodded. His chest ached. Sorrow roped his heart, squeezing so painfully, he could barely get air into his lungs. The Yaghar didn’t live in prides. They were one of the smallest tribes in Aurora. Mothers protected their cubs fiercely against anyone, including their fathers. That’s what happened with Karel. His mother had to kill his father the first time he tried to kill Karel because he was a male.
He swallowed hard and glanced at the hallway where his mate slept. Human. He was supposed to give her time to adjust to him. He had no time.
“I’ll be there soon.”
“We’ll be here, keeping things under control,” Bella said, her lips turning down in sadness.
He shut off the communication and pressed the button that connected him with his contact on earth. He gave the man a brief rundown of his problem and told him he’d be ready to leave shortly. Someone would pick him up to rush him to the portal.
He marched to Liv’s room and watched her sleep. He hated to do this. He sat on her side of the bed.
“Liv,” he said, pushing the hair from her face and caressing her cheek.
She fluttered her lids opened and frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“I have to go, right now. But I can’t leave you.”
She sat up slowly, her eyes wide with concern. “Where are you going?”
“My mother. She’s dying. She’s far away and I have to see her.”
“Oh no!” She licked her lips and nodded, a deep frown covering her brow. “I’m really sorry.”
He grasped her hand, his heart pumping hard and unsure. “Come with me.”
She blinked. She didn’t say anything, but he saw the wheels turning behind her eyes. “How long until you return?”
He shook his head, glancing down at their linked hands. “I don’t know.”
She glanced around the room. “I don’t know. I mean, we just met and things are going a million miles an hour.”
He should have known Gerri was right. Humans didn’t understand being mates. She was his. He didn’t want to go anywhere without her. “Do you feel it?”
Her tiny perfect teeth nibbled on her lower lip. “I do. I know there’s something here,” she admitted with a soft sigh. “I just…I don’t know if it’s enough for me to go with you wherever you need me to go. What if this is a fluke? What if I’m imagining the connection I feel?”
He brought her hands to his chest, letting her feel his beating heart. “This isn’t a mistake. It’s real. I don’t want to leave you, but I have to go. Come with me,” he said. “Please.”
He watched indecision play over her features. She stared at his chest for a moment, silence hanging between them. “I’m probably going to regret this, but I’m due a vacation anyway.” She met his gaze and nodded. “Okay. I’ll come with you.”