His Apprehensive Mate - Brea Alepou Page 0,54

with his body to get up, to protect Ava.

One of the wolves cast a shadow over Morgan. Razor-sharp teeth rested against his neck. Morgan was helpless to fight him off. He turned his head toward the sound of Ava crying. His vision was too slow to come back in the eye that wasn’t covered in blood. He saw Ava kneeling on the ground, tears streaking her face, the right side of her face swollen and red. Morgan wanted so badly to tell her he was sorry. Sorry he couldn’t save her, sorry he couldn’t give her the family she deserved. He was sorry for so much, but more than that, he wanted to tell her he loved her and that she was like a daughter to him. An involuntary whine came from him, and Ava met his eyes. Kenny would come save her even if Morgan was gone. He’d love her and raise her right. Kenny was strong; he’d survive if Morgan died. He had to.

“Don’t kill him just yet.”

Morgan’s past self would have cried at those words, begged internally for death, but now they were his saving grace. Lyndon’s sick, twisted mind was going to save him. Because he knew his mate would come for them—it was a matter of surviving till then. The teeth left his neck.

“Take both of them to the cell. I’m sure those cats will be making a move soon,” Lyndon said.

Ava screamed and Morgan tried once more to turn over, but any movement sent pain all over his body. His hurt leg was roughly grabbed, and Morgan whined as pain took over him. He succumbed to the darkness—anything to get rid of the pain.

Kenny was ready to go, his whole body poised and ready for battle, and the thought of waiting on the Blaze Pack members to get there already was the last thing he wanted to do.

“They’re almost here,” Dezi said.

Kenny’s only response was a growl. His snow leopard was too close to the surface.

“Dillan and Kash will stay behind,” Dezi said.

They got the children situated. Kenny couldn’t find it in himself to pay it much attention. He felt bad—he was the beta, he was the one most known to keep a level head, but it was his mate and kid that were missing.

Dillan appeared before him, his eyebrows pinched together. He looked Kenny dead in the eyes.

“You bring them both home. That’s all that matters.”

Kenny was taken aback for a second, but he nodded. As much as he wanted revenge—and he would get it—it’d only be after he secured his family’s safety.

“Got it.”

Dillan smiled tiredly at him but moved in and gave Kenny a hug. Kenny stayed still and let the small cat shifter do what he pleased.

“He’s waiting on you, I just know it. Remember, he can feel what you feel.”

Kenny had forgotten about that and closed his eyes as he thought calming thoughts. Like teaching Ava how to cook or solve math problems. Bathing with his mate or holding him while he slept soundly next to him. It seemed to calm his snow leopard enough for Kenny to relax a little.

Dillan let him go. His expressive blue eyes looked wiser than how they normally did. It lasted all of five seconds until his stomach growled, and then he was the same old Dillan again.

Dillan started to walk away. “I have to go cook—”

Kenny stopped him instantly.

“Order pizza.”

“Aww, but I want to try and make that thing that has cheese on the inside.”

Ravioli? Kenny shook his head. They’d come back to the ruins of the house if Dillan cooked.

“I bet Ava would love to have some pizza when she gets home,” Kenny said.

Black cat ears popped up instantly. Shocked voices from some of the Huning Prowl came as no surprise. Dillan was something of a rarity—one, because of his animal side, and two, he half shifted all the time without thought. His ears twitched.

“Do you think she likes meat lovers or cheese?”

“Why don’t you get both just in case.”

Dillan nodded, and Kenny let him go. Dillan ran right into Rhy’s arms, hugging his mate. Kenny wished he could be hugging Morgan right then and there.

Another hour passed and Kenny’s patience was at its limit. His snow leopard was fed up with waiting.

“You’re going to pace a hole into the floor,” Logan said.

Kenny glared at him, and Logan backed off. Dezi walked back into the living room from the infirmary.

“They’re he—”

Kenny didn’t hear much else as fear and anger warred inside of