His Apprehensive Mate - Brea Alepou Page 0,7

to a magnet. Kenny opened his arms, and Morgan hesitated for a split second as what-ifs of doubt crossed his mind.

“Come here and let me hold you,” Kenny said.

Morgan crashed into his arms, and against Kenny’s shirt he let free the tears he’d been holding back.

Kenny laid Morgan down in the bed in the infirmary. His bruises had long faded away, and the scars were slowly disappearing. Still, no matter how he tried, Kenny couldn’t push away the vision of Morgan near death.

“Don’t leave,” Morgan pleaded.

How could Kenny deny that? But the infirmary bed wasn’t exactly built to hold more than one person. Kenny tried to fit his larger body in the bed. Morgan cracked his eyes open, a smile curving his full lips. Airy, light chuckles filled the room and Kenny’s heart. He could spend his life listening to his mate laugh as he trailed his fingers up Morgan’s side before tickling his ribs.

Morgan’s light laughter got louder, echoing around the room. Kenny continued to tickle Morgan until his mate begged him to stop, and even then, he went on for another few seconds before he finally relented. Morgan’s laughter settled, and the weight in Kenny’s chest eased with it.

Morgan snuggled closer to Kenny as his breathing evened out. “Um, I think I’m okay enough not to stay in the infirmary anymore,” Morgan said.

Do I dare hope?

Kenny took in a breath. “There are plenty of rooms as you know. The house was remodeled, but there are more guest rooms, if you want.” Kenny didn’t want Morgan anywhere but their bed, but if his mate needed more time, he would give it. As long as Kenny knew Morgan was under the same roof and safe, he could handle it.

Morgan went stiff in Kenny’s arms. “Uh—sure.” Morgan sat up and pulled away from Kenny.

Kenny wanted nothing more than to pull Morgan back into his arms, but he didn’t. He sat up staring at his mate, whose pale skin and pink lips dipped down in a frown. Something was wrong.

“What’s the matter?” Kenny asked.

“I thought—” Morgan shook his head. “Nothing.”

He stood up and headed toward the door. Kenny’s entire world froze to that moment. It was just like when Morgan said he was going on a brief trip. Kenny hadn’t wanted him to go alone, but Morgan had left anyway, only to come back broken and bruised. Kenny’s possessive and protective side gnawed at him not to let their mate walk away again. What was to say he wouldn’t die this time? It was irrational, and Kenny knew Morgan was probably going to the kitchen, but he couldn’t stomach the idea of letting Morgan out of his sight just yet.

Kenny’s large hand wrapped easily around Morgan’s small wrist. Morgan jumped, and Kenny nearly let him go, but he thought better of it and pulled Morgan to him. He cupped Morgan’s slender jaw gently.

“There is something wrong. I can’t fix it if you don’t tell me.”

Morgan exhaled a heavy breath, leaning into Kenny’s touch, which eased the tight knot in Kenny’s chest.

“I— Umm.”

A deep red blush crept up Morgan’s neck and to his face. Kenny wanted to trace it with his mouth.

“I want to sleep in your room,” Morgan rushed out.

He avoided looking Kenny in his eyes, but the words still affected Kenny on another level. He caught himself holding his breath in shock. He realized his mistake. He mentally chastised himself for pushing his sweet mate away.

“Oh Morgan,” Kenny said softly as he brought his face close to his wolf’s. He closed his eyes and breathed in his mate’s sweet scent. There was nothing that compared to the genuine thing. “I’d love for you to be in our bedroom,” Kenny said.

Morgan gasped and pulled back slightly, his eyes wide with surprise. “But—” He looked away. “Are you sure you want to share with a ru—”

Kenny didn’t let the word leave his mouth. He pulled Morgan’s face close and captured his mouth in a slow kiss. He’d planned for it to be just a quick kiss to take Morgan’s mind off being a runt. It didn’t matter to Kenny—it shouldn’t matter at all—but Kenny couldn’t erase years of mental abuse in one day no matter how he wanted to.

Kenny was about to pull away when Morgan opened his mouth, and Kenny would have been a fool to stop. He ran his tongue over Morgan’s plump lips, getting a shiver from Morgan. Kenny tightened his hold on his mate and delved into Morgan’s mouth,