A Mate For Christmas

Chapter 14

Evie felt her face heat. "I just reacted. I was scared."

"Scared but smart," Jayden said, and he almost smiled. "That is good. Fear keeps you alive if you use it right."

More pack members appeared, checking rooms and securing the house. Delilah ran in, her face pale with worry.

"Evie! Are you alright? I heard you were attacked."

"I am fine," Evie said. "Shaken up, but fine."

Victoria arrived next, her silver dress torn and bloody. "Three rogues made it inside. We got two of them. Gideon got the third." She looked at the dead body on the floor. "I see."

"Is anyone hurt?" Gideon asked. "From the pack?"

"Minor injuries," Victoria reported. "Nothing the healers cannot fix. We were ready for them, thanks to Treasure's warning."

"Where is Treasure now?" Evie asked.

"In her room under guard," Victoria said. "She tried to help fight but we kept her locked in for her own safety. If Raphael's rogues had seen her helping us, they would have killed her on sight."

Gideon nodded. "Good. Have Maxwell question the prisoners. I want to know everything they know about Raphael's plans."

He turned back to Evie. "Come. Let me clean those wounds and make sure you are really alright."

He led her upstairs to his own room. Evie had never been inside before. It was large and masculine, with dark wood furniture and a massive bed. A fireplace crackled in the corner.

Gideon sat her down on the bed and disappeared into the bathroom. He came back with a first aid kit.

"Let me see your hands," he said gently.

Evie held out her hands. Her right knuckles were split and bleeding. Gideon cleaned them carefully, his touch so gentle despite his size and strength.

"You punched him," Gideon said.

"Yes."

"Did it hurt?"

"A lot," Evie admitted.

Gideon's lips twitched. "Next time, use the heel of your palm instead of your knuckles. Less likely to break bones."

"I will remember that for next time some psycho tries to kill me," Evie said.

Gideon's smile faded. He finished bandaging her hand and moved to check her throat. His jaw clenched when he saw the bruises forming there.

"He marked you," Gideon said quietly. "He put his hands on you and left marks."

"It is not that bad," Evie said.

"It is to me," Gideon said. His eyes met hers, gold and intense. "Seeing him hurt you, seeing those marks on your skin, it made me want to kill him all over again. Slowly. Painfully."

Evie touched his face. "You saved me. That is what matters."

"I almost did not get there in time," Gideon said. "If I had been a few seconds later..."

"But you were not," Evie said firmly. "You were there. You protected me."

Gideon pulled her close again. Evie wrapped her arms around him, feeling his heart beating fast against her chest. Through the bond, she felt his emotions. His lingering fear. His rage at the rogues. His overwhelming relief that she was safe.

"I cannot lose you," Gideon whispered. "I just found you. I cannot lose you."

"You will not," Evie promised.

They stayed like that for a long time, holding each other. Finally, Gideon pulled back.

"You should rest. It has been a long night."

"I do not think I can sleep," Evie admitted. "Every time I close my eyes, I see that rogue's face."

"Then stay here," Gideon said. "With me. I will keep watch. Nothing will hurt you while I am here."

Evie nodded. Gideon gave her one of his shirts to sleep in. It was huge on her, hanging down to her knees. But it smelled like him, pine and something wild, and it made her feel safe.

She climbed into his bed while he sat in a chair by the fire, keeping watch. Despite thinking she could not sleep, exhaustion pulled her under within minutes.

But her dreams were dark. Full of rogues and silver knives and cold pale eyes promising death.

She woke sometime later to Gideon sitting on the edge of the bed, his hand on her shoulder.

"You were having a nightmare," he said softly.

"I am sorry. Did I wake you?"

"I was not asleep," Gideon said. "I told you I would keep watch."

"You cannot stay awake all night."

"I can and I will," Gideon said firmly. "Go back to sleep, Evie."

But Evie did not want to go back to sleep. Did not want to face those nightmares again. She sat up and moved closer to Gideon.

"Stay with me," she said quietly. "Please. I do not want to be alone."

Gideon hesitated. "Evie, if I get in that bed with you, I do not know if I will be able to control myself. The bond is strong, and you are my mate, and I want you more than I have ever wanted anything."

Evie felt heat rush through her. "I trust you."

"You should not," Gideon said, but he was already moving. He slid into bed beside her, pulling her against his chest. "You should run far away from me."

"Too late for that," Evie whispered.

She could feel his heart beating against her back. Feel the warmth of his body. Through the bond, his desire mixed with hers until she could not tell where her feelings ended and his began.

"Evie," Gideon said, his voice rough. "If you do not want this, tell me now. Because in another minute, I will not be able to stop."

Evie turned in his arms to face him. His golden eyes were glowing in the darkness.

"I do not want you to stop," she said.

Gideon's control broke. He kissed her, deep and desperate, his hands tangling in her hair. Evie kissed him back just as fiercely, all the fear and adrenaline from tonight transforming into something else. Something hot and urgent.

"Mine," Gideon growled against her lips. "You are mine."

"Yours," Evie agreed breathlessly.

But before things could go further, there was a loud knock on the door.

"Alpha!" Maxwell's voice called. "We have a problem. The prisoners are talking. You need to hear this."

Gideon pulled away from Evie, cursing under his breath. "Terrible timing."

Evie laughed despite herself. "Go. This is important."

"We will continue this later," Gideon promised, kissing her once more before getting out of bed.

He threw on clothes and left. Evie lay back on the bed, her heart still racing, her lips still tingling from his kiss.

She was in so much trouble. She was falling for Gideon, falling fast and hard, and there was no stopping it now.

The bond hummed between them, warm and right.

And terrifying.