“I’m not a ‘frilly’ type of gal, so you’ve no worries on that score.”
“Thank fu . . .” He stopped. “Sorry, you know what I mean though.”
“Will you stop that?” Tasha sat up, frowning. “You can cuss if you want. It doesn’t offend me. Let’s be honest . . . sometimes fuck is the only word that works . . . right?”
He couldn’t help but laugh, chuckling as he nodded in agreement. “Yeah.”
She got off the bed, looking around and looking embarrassed. “I don’t have much with me. I just grabbed a few things when I ran so I don’t even have anything to wear to bed.”
“No problem.” He walked into his huge wardrobe, fumbling around in a drawer and coming out with one of his t-shirts. “This should do you for now, until we can get your things from home. There’s also spare toothbrushes in the bathroom cabinet. Help yourself to anything you need.”
“Thanks.” She took the substitute nightwear and headed into the bathroom, closing the door.
Running a hand through his hair, Rafe knew he’d have to talk to her when she returned. He had to. There was no dodging what he needed to say. He only hoped she didn’t freak out and refuse. That would not be good for him, or his beast. His Wolf had been prowling around in his head since they’d first found her. Its desperation to make her their mate was all-consuming and he was finding it difficult to control it. He hoped the compromise he’d come up with would settle it down, for now.
That would only work if Tasha agreed though.
He undressed then went in search of a pair of pajama bottoms. He doubted he’d find any. It wasn’t as if he wore anything to bed but he didn’t think Tasha would be too happy if he jumped in au-naturale so he snagged an old pair of sweat pants and used those instead.
They were worn and loose, hanging low down on his hips, but they were better than nothing.
As he walked out of the walk-in closet, Tasha exited the bathroom. His breath caught in his throat, she looked adorable in his tee which hung to her mid-thigh, but she also looked scared and vulnerable. His inner-Alpha sprang forth forcing him to stride over and take her into his arms to comfort her.
He rubbed a hand up and down her back, his other grasping her head to his chest. Her hands splayed on his bare chest as he whispered, “It’ll get better, sweetheart. I promise it will. It’ll take time, but I’ll always be here for you. Anything you need, anytime, just ask.”
“I guess it’s just hitting me properly now,” she gasped, her breath whispering against his skin. “Before, all I thought about was keeping ahead of the rogues chasing me. Now all I can think about is that everyone I’ve ever loved and cared about are gone. Not one of them is left alive, Rafe, not one.”
“I know.” He used his power, sending calmness and serenity toward her. “Once we’ve had a funeral, you will be able to take the next step in the grieving process and I’ll be right there with you. You won’t take that journey alone, my love.”
Continuing to hold her, his power washing over her, he finally felt her body relax against his. His Wolf pranced about, pawing at the ground and howling. “I know you’re tired but before we go to sleep, I need to ask you something.”
Her head tilted back, her sorrow-filled eyes searching his. “What?”
“I respect your decision not to mate right now.” He leaned down so their eyes were level. “But my Wolf is going to drive me insane, so would you allow me to mark you? I promise I won’t take it further than that. I just need to know that everyone is aware that you are mine. Not just for my own damn sanity, but it also bestows my Alpha protection to you. That in itself will calm my Wolf down a little and certainly make me feel better. You will be Alpha marked and only a fool would try and hurt you.”
He waited, breathless, on her response.
Her eyes widened, little sparkles appearing as they crinkled at the sides as she gave him a smile. “You could do that? I mean . . . mark me without . . . you know?”
His body ached for hers. Physically craved his mate like nothing he’d ever felt before, so much so it hurt. His skin yearned for her touch, his fingers burned with desire to explore every damn inch of her body, his cock throbbed with the need to be inside her. But he would not push his own selfish desires onto his grieving mate.
He was Alpha and he would never do such a thing, so he hugged her a little tighter and nodded. “I’ll do whatever it takes, Tasha. I said I’d wait and I will. However, if I don’t mark you, I think my beast might just drive me insane enough to have me committed to a loony bin.”
“We can’t have that now, can we?” she said seriously. “I need you to know something too.”
She stopped, nibbling her bottom lip as a blush crept up her neck to cover her cheeks. Rafe almost groaned at the sight. He was desperate to plunder her lips but held himself in check. “What?” he asked instead.
“It’s not that I don’t want to . . . ya know.” Her face grew even redder. “Because I do. You make me feel . . . I guess the way I make you feel. But I just can’t. Not with my mom and dad just lying there. It seems so wrong. I need to put them to rest before I can carry on.”
“I totally understand that and I’m not pushing you to mate with me tonight,” he reiterated. “I just need to settle down my beast and my soul. Knowing you have my mark will do both.”
Tasha leaned away,
