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A PRIDEFUL MATE Amber Kell
52
Chapter Six
Payce s apartment was a wreck. They were escorted into the place by the same police
officer that had helped with the exploded truck.
You ve got someone holding a mean grudge, the cop said, giving a cool examination
of the trashed apartment.
Looks that way, Payce agreed in a choked tone.
Kevin pulled himself out of his depression to notice that the slashing on the bed and
couch, attributed to a knife, looked surprisingly like claws. He kept quiet because that wasn t
something you discussed in front of the humans.
Whoever was angry with Payce, wasn t of the human variety.
Payce made a list of his damaged property for the police and his insurance company.
Gathering another small bag of his belongings, he followed Kevin back to his truck.
They stopped by the driver s door where Kevin leaned against the door instead of
unlocking it and getting in. What do you want to do now?
What do you mean?
You don t want to stay with me. Did you want me to take you to a hotel? He d drop
Payce wherever he wanted to go. He needed to get back home and lick his wounds. As much
as he d rather stay and watch over his mate, he wasn t wanted, and as much as he longed for
his mate, he wasn t going to beg.
Is that what you thought I was saying? Payce dropped his bag on the ground,
wrapping Kevin in his arms. I m not saying I don t want you for a mate. I just think we need
to discuss what I m going to do with my life instead of you planning it without me.
Payce placed a kiss on Kevin s head. Don t give up on me, my mate. I just need time to
adjust to belonging to someone.
Kevin slid out of Payce s arms. I ll give you all the time you need. He couldn t face
the jaguar. Come on, let s get to a hotel and see if we can figure this out.
A PRIDEFUL MATE Amber Kell
53
He d stay with Payce until they discovered who was after his mate. Then he d let the
other man go. He couldn t force the jaguar to want him. Words of love said while having sex
didn t count.
Payce entered the hotel, barely taking in the luxurious surroundings. He could feel
Kevin s pain through their mating link. His overtures were politely rebuffed and the
sparkling shine in Kevin s gold eyes was dull and lifeless.
He d done that.
He d crushed his mate.
Blinking back tears, Payce set his bags on the couch, sitting beside them.
I m gonna call my family, Kevin told him, going out to the balcony doors.
Payce bit his lip, to stop from blurting out that he was already with part of his family.
He didn t say it though. He d lost that chance when he d told Kevin he wasn t at home in the
mountains. He was still kicking himself over that one.
If he could go back in time and take those thoughtless words back, he would.
Kevin returned and gave him a weak smile.
Tia said she d talk to the boys and tell them I ll be away for a few days. I ll call them
when they get off school.
Where do they go to school?
There s a shared shifter and human school in town.
Really? The humans don t worry about their kids?
Nope. There are strict rules and a shifter adult is in each classroom as room helper. We
all donate a few hours a week and playtime is segregated so the shifter kids can play a little
rougher. It also helps build shifter-human relations. You re less likely to be prejudiced
against shifters if you ve been friends since kindergarten.
Makes sense. He walked closer to his mate, the jaguar in him seeking his mate s
touch.
Kevin stepped back, pain flaring in his eyes. Don t, the lion s voice cracked.
Don t what? Don t touch my mate. You might as well tell me to stop breathing. When I
said I hadn t planned on moving in with you, I didn t mean never. I meant I hadn t thought
that far ahead. You immediately thought the worse, why?
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54
Kevin looked away for a moment, walking to the large glass balcony doors. When I
was eighteen, I was tossed out of my mother s pride. I know it s the lion way, but it was the
worst feeling I d ever felt. One minute I was a loved and cosseted lion cub, the next I was
unwanted and alone in the world. I promised myself I would never make my children feel
that way. Before I joined Talan s pack, I made him swear that my boys could stay as long as
they didn t challenge him for alpha position. I want them to make the choice to move on
instead of being shoved out of the pride. We might be part animal, but we re part human too.
When I thought you rejected me, all of those old feelings came back.
Oh, honey. Payce went over to his mate. I never meant you to feel I didn t want
you. He turned his reluctant lover to face him. You re a little overwhelming, babe.
Kevin s eyes regained some of their sparkle.
Payce decided to chance it, he leant in for a kiss. Relief rushed through him when Kevin
didn t pull away. I will always want you. Just because we fight, don t think it means you re
unwanted. I might be frustrated with you or angry but I will always want you. When you
pull away, I can feel it in here. Payce touched the spot over his heart. It s painful for both of
us.
Kevin s eyes glowed sadly. I didn t mean to hurt you, darlin .
I know. Payce wrapped his arms around his mate, soaking in his scent. We just need
to get used to belonging together. Any new relationship is hard. Being bound together
doesn t mean we magically understand each other. Like anything else it will take a lot of
work.
Kevin nodded against his shoulder.
A soft chiming had Kevin reaching for his phone. Glancing at the number, he stepped
away from Payce. Sorry, I ve gotta take this.
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