Page 37 of Starting a New Life

Just another flinch, his arms tightening around his knees.

“He’s not really talking,” Rhett said with a huff. “He said something about Levi earlier, but he refuses to elaborate.”

Rhett pulled a face, baring his teeth even in human form. Under normal circumstances, his frustration would be funny to me. The way he always lost his chill persona when his mate was concerned was hilarious, but right in this moment, I got where he was coming from.

I wanted to see my mate.

Nix.

I wanted to see Nix. Wanted to hear his voice. Wanted to be the one who held his hand and comforted him.

Instead, I was the one who made his fear spike whenever I took a deep breath.

Did he realize I was his mate?

Levi glared at both me and Rhett before turning back to Nix, a soft smile on his face. “The beds upstairs are great. Rhett brought me here after he saved me from dying an awful death out in the woods during a thunderstorm. I haven’t told you that story yet, right? What do you say, do you want to go upstairs with me? I’ll get you situated.” Rhett and I got a look warning us away from saying anything against what Levi was proposing.

Jasper cleared his throat. “I’d like to take a look at him, Levi.”

My mate’s heart rate kicked up a notch, the bitter stench of fear washing over me in a fresh wave.

“He’s a doctor,” Levi explained. “He helped me a lot.”

“Don’t need a doctor,” my mate whispered so quietly that even I was barely able to hear him.

I wanted to tell him that yes, he absolutely needed a doctor since he’d fucking collapsed, but Levi was quicker.

“Agree to disagree. Come on. Let’s get you situated upstairs.”

Levi got up, pulling my mate with him. For a moment, there was tension because my mate tried to stay seated, but Levi pulled more firmly on my mate’s hand, and in the end, he got up.

He was…

Beautiful, my wolf supplied.

A walking skeleton was the first thing that came to my mind. My wolf roared, growling at me for not appreciating what fate had given us.

But that was just it… I did appreciate the gift I’d gotten, as unexpected as it might’ve been. I appreciated having found a mate, and I felt the pull between us, felt the need to wrap him up in my arms, to protect him, to cherish him, but I couldn’t ignore the fact that he didn’t look healthy. Not even close.

He was trembling as Levi guided him first past me and Rhett, then past Jasper and Paul.

“I bet someone made snacks. Are you hungry? I bet you are. Herb said you didn’t stop by to get leftovers. And yes, I asked. Sue me. And since the protein bars I gave you couldn’t have lasted you this long, you must be starving. I can get you hot chocolate. I would love to make you a good coffee, but I haven’t quite managed to convince Gray that we need an espresso…”

Levi’s voice got quieter and quieter as they started climbing up the stairs.

I let out a breath.

Go, my wolf urged, throwing himself at me. I dug in my heels to stay here and not start walking.

Let Levi handle it first, I told him. Then we’ll go and introduce ourselves.

“Soo…” Rhett said, running a hand over his face. “That was…”

“Not good,” I finished. “What happened? I was told there was a commotion down here?”

Rhett nodded, his face twisting into a mix of fury and worry. “I’m still not sure what happened. Something weird between that Nix guy and Levi. When Levi touched him, there was a blinding light, and Levi started glowing. I thought the mage was attacking him, but Levi insists that he didn’t.” Rhett sighed. “He’s mad at me, you know? Like, really mad because we put his friend in a cell.”

“That’s on me.”