The Deputy and His Enforcer (Kincaid Pack #3) - Kiki Clark Page 0,65

cows waiting to be milked lowed restlessly, their fear prickling at his wolf’s instincts, but the urge to stalk such easy prey was minimal.

No, he was after a bigger prize.

He paused just before exiting the harvested cornfield behind the farm, waiting to be sure the house was empty except for his mate. The machine rumblings and occasional curse let him know Mateo was in the milking parlor doing the morning milking. Straining, he caught the sound of young, female voices bickering in the house and the sound of someone tossing and turning in bed.

Huffing, he lay down in the field, impatient for Robson to be alone so Marcus could slip inside and convince his mate they were meant for each other.

The aching pain he’d felt as his mate had questioned their mating had been nearly unbearable. What was worse was… he’d had those thoughts too, but it had only taken spending a little time with Robson for Marcus to realize that his mate was perfect just the way he was.

And perfect for Marcus.

When everyone else saw an uptight rule follower so set in his ways he’d pick a fight with the alpha’s beloved assistant, Robson saw someone who struggled to express himself and loved his pack so much he wanted to always do right by them.

He saw Marcus.

Finally, what felt like almost an hour later, the two teen girls exited the house and clambered into an old Chevy truck that looked like it was one pothole away from falling apart. As they maneuvered down the driveway, Marcus slowly approached, eyeing the ancient car Robson drove. Robson’s words from earlier came back to him about not being able to support his family with his job.

Were the Medinas struggling financially?

Money wasn’t something he’d ever really worried about. He was given a home and a stipend for his work as a pack Enforcer, but most everything else he needed was provided by the pack as well. Most of his meals were cooked by Beth or one of her staff, and she provided him with new clothes when he mentioned he needed them. The SUVs were maintained and kept fully gassed by the betas. If he were ever sick or injured, he could visit Carter.

To the Medinas, he probably seemed spoiled and unable to care for himself. Did Robson feel like he needed to take care of Marcus too? On top of his mom and his brother and sisters still at home?

That wasn’t what Marcus needed from his mate at all.

He had access to those things because he spent every day, all day working and caring for the pack, so the pack cared for him as well. But it wouldn’t be Robson’s job to make sure Marcus was taken care of.

Unless… He paused at the bottom of the back steps. Maybe Robson wanted that. Maybe what Robson wanted from their mating was the ability to take care of and provide for Marcus.

Or maybe Marcus was completely wrong and Robson really just thought they were poorly matched.

Taking a deep breath, he savored the scent of his mate permeating his home. It was mixed with the scents of the rest of the family, but it stood out to Marcus, weaving around his senses and drawing him in. He was halfway up the steps before he remembered to shift back.

He cast one last glance back at where Robson’s brother Mateo was, but there were still plenty of cows waiting to have their full udders emptied. Slipping into the house, he didn’t hesitate, heading to the front where the staircase began and jogging silently up to the second floor.

The scent of Robson was so strong from the room he was in that Marcus could have found it with a regular human nose, he’d bet.

He didn’t bother knocking, simply straightened his spine, squared his shoulders, and turned the knob. The curtains were drawn over the windows, but enough light seeped in that he was easily able to see his mate sprawled on his back in the middle of his bed. His brow was furrowed and jaw tight, like he was maybe having an unpleasant dream or was in pain.

For the first time since the end of their phone call, uncertainty filled him, freezing him in place. What was he supposed to do now that he stood at the end of the large bed and stared at his obviously naked mate?

The sheet and blanket Robson was under were just barely clinging to his waist, leaving his entire upper body for