His Apprehensive Mate - Brea Alepou Page 0,3

were accustomed to a certain level of pain. When shifting, breaking bones and reshaping them wasn’t exactly a pleasant feeling, just a pain that they grew accustomed to.

The first snap of bone made Morgan gasp and try to rise from the bed. Another snap followed, and Morgan whimpered. Kenny pushed down on the growl that sat at the back of his throat. Tears spilled from Morgan’s swollen, bruised eyes. Pops and snaps echoed in the room, accompanied by Morgan’s cries. Not once did he beg them to stop or ask for a break.

“Done,” Logan said on a sigh.

Morgan trembled underneath him, his breathing erratic. Kenny couldn’t hold back. He should—he needed to—but it was impossible. Kenny leaned forward and placed a barely there kiss to the corner of Morgan’s lips.

“You did so good,” Kenny praised. “I love you.”

Morgan’s breathing evened out as he lay there. Kenny thought he might have fallen asleep. But just as Kenny stood back up and grabbed his chair, he heard the whispered words out of Morgan’s mouth.

“I don’t deserve your love, but I love you too.”

Kenny rested his hand on Morgan’s arms, letting him know he was there, and he wasn’t going anywhere.

“Try and get some rest,” Logan said. He stared at Morgan, a frown on his face and sadness in his eyes. When Logan’s eyes met Kenny’s, anger burned there. Kenny agreed. Whoever did this would pay gravely for it. But first he must tend to his mate. They were left alone together for most of the time. Morgan slept, and Kenny watched over him, even as his eyes burned with exhaustion.

“I’m not going to suggest changing spots, but here’s some food,” Kash said, carrying in a tray filled with various things to eat and drink.

With Morgan being here, Kenny could stomach the idea of food again. It was strange the things being parted from his unbonded mate did to him. He took the offered tray from Kash and set it to the side.

Kash stood there rubbing his protruding belly, his eyes glossy with unshed tears. Kenny stared at his mate; Morgan was loved more than he comprehended. Everyone in the pride had already grown attached to him.

Kash shook himself. “I’ll leave you two be.”

“Did she say anything?” Kenny asked before Kash could leave the room.

He shook his head, his gold strands swaying with the motion. “And we aren’t forcing her to. When Morgan is up for it, then we can plan accordingly.” Kash turned around and crossed his arms, staring at Kenny. “No one hurts a member of our pride and gets away with it.”

Kash spoke with such conviction that Kenny knew he meant only truth by it. Although Morgan wasn’t officially a part of them, Kenny didn’t think Kash cared about that fact. Dezi had truly gotten the perfect mate. Kenny glanced over at Morgan. Fate knew what it was doing, because he felt just as lucky to have Morgan.

“Thank you,” Kenny said. He tilted his head to the side, offering his submission and respect to the alpha mate.

Kash softly touched Kenny’s neck, giving him an endearing smile.

“Make sure you eat at least.”

Kenny nodded. Kash left, and Kenny continued to watch over his mate. He pushed back Morgan’s dark hair from his face and left his hand there, framing his face. Even bruised and battered, his mate was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.

The pain was receding, and Morgan no longer needed to push it down and ignore it. He was healing, and although it was slow, it was becoming bearable to sit up. There were no more bones to be broken and rearranged. His bruises were fading, and even his sight was getting better. Eight days had passed, and Morgan had put the inevitable off long enough. His ribs still hurt, and he was tender in places that were taking far too long to heal, but he was alive, and for that Morgan was happy.

Morgan pulled the sheets back, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. Usually Kenny helped him move around the little bit he did, but Kenny was getting everyone into the living room. He’d offered to bring everyone into the infirmary room, but truth be told, Morgan was tired of seeing the same old walls. He stood up and was hit with an unexpected amount of dizziness. Warm arms circled around him, catching Morgan before he fell to the floor. The heavenly scent that wafted off his mate made Morgan’s wolf take notice.

His heart fluttered