"Mazelina!"
Mazelina turned and stiffened as Josiah came up. He grinned at her as she darted her eyes around for Turk.
"Mazelina, where have you been? I've been looking everywhere for you!"
She gave a stiff smile. "Congratulations, Josiah. You found your mate."
"I heard you found yours too!" he said. "Who is it?"
"Lina!"
Mazelina looked past Josiah to see Turk walking over with drinks in his hands. She stepped around her friend and went to her mate. She was just about to grab her drink when Josiah pulled her back harshly. "Mazelina, I'll hold him off while you run."
"What?" she stumbled into a table and gasped as her arm went into hot stew.
A low growl made her spin around to see grey eyes locked on her injury. "Turk, please."
Without further plea, he dropped the drinks and swept past Josiah to wrap her in his arms. "Where's your pack healer?" he asked, gently holding her arm and examining it.
She glanced around and pointed at a middle-aged male who was talking with a group of young pups. Turk led her over and the healer took them to a table set up with medical supplies. He put a salve on her arm and then bandaged it. She thanked him and went with Turk to a table to sit.
"Who are you to that male?" he asked in a low tone.
She looked at him with fearful eyes. "I thought he was just a friend. He has a mate, so why he acted like that is beyond me." She swallowed the lump in her throat. "Turk, he never showed me any signs of liking me, even if I would have welcomed them."
Turk narrowed his eyes. "You liked him?"
She winced. "I guess so. We have been friends since we were young pups. It made sense that we would-be mates. But then he got his mate and I got you."
His voice was menacing when he asked, "Is that why you refused to step forward?"
She nodded, tears running down her face.
"Now?"
"Now," she began, choking on the lump in her throat. "Now, I see I was wrong. Now I see he isn't right for me."
She didn't dare look at Turk as she waited for his response. But he didn't say a word. He got up and left, walking away into the darkness without a word to her. She felt like she had been slapped. Then, she slumped.
"Mazelina?"
She jerked her head up to see Owain. "Hello, Sir."
He gave a warm smile. "Where's your mate?"
Mazelina looked away. "He left me, I think."
"Why?"
"Because of Josiah."
Owain nodded and sat beside her. "Mazelina, I want you to understand that Turk is a very good male. Maybe a little rough around the edges, but good." Mazelina looked at him with interest. He continued. "Did he tell you who he is?"
"Yes. And I said I'd give him a chance."
He smiled at that. "Good. Then you will understand that he has wanted a relationship for a long time. You will understand that he doesn't know how to handle these situations like you and me. He's very solitary. He wants to learn everything about you and make you happy. His dream is to see his mate and your offspring safe and happy under his care."
This warmed Mazelina's heart and made her feel even more guilty. "How do I get him to understand that Josiah is just a friend?"
Owain contemplated. "You should let him calm down first. Let him get used to the idea of you being his mate and let him take you home. Let him adjust before sharing your feelings for Josiah. You have to remember that newly mated males are very sensitive."
"What if he has left me behind?"
Owain smiled. "He hasn't. Believe me, Mazelina. Turk is just getting himself under control before he confronts you. His way of calming down includes harming himself."
Mazelina gasped. "What!"
Her Alpha held up a hand. "He can handle it. He has been doing it for years so he wouldn't hurt those he cares for in his pack."
"Owain, he's hurting himself! What if he goes too far? What if he's attacked?"
"Trust me, Lina. No attack would keep me from you!"
Mazelina spun around to see Turk standing against a tree, an intense gaze in his eyes. She scanned his body and found bloody knuckles. "Oh, my Goddess!" She ran over and picked up one of his hands, running light fingers over his wounds. More tears streamed down her face. "It's all my fault!"
Turk made her look at him. "These are nothing, Lina. They will heal within the hour."
"But you had to hurt yourself because of me."
"Would you rather I go after a living creature?"
"Yes!" she hissed, then looked away. "Why?" she asked softly.
"I told you. I won't hurt you."
She stepped back and crossed her arms over her chest. Glaring she said, "That doesn't give you the right to hurt yourself instead! I'm your mate now and you will not do this again or else!"
He raised a mocking brow. "Or else, what?"
She wasn't moved by his tease. She said, "Or else I will hurt myself worse."
His eyes widened. "No!" he growled and swept her up into his arms. "Never!"
Mazelina relaxed in his embrace and put a hand to his face. "Then no more, please."
He stared at her for a long moment, then nodded. She smiled and wrapped her arms around him, closing her eyes.
She heard, "You can grab her things in the morning. For now, sleep. You both need it."
"But what if this is a dream, Owain? What if I wake up and she's not there?"
"I promise, Turk, all of this is real. If not sleep, then hold her. But rest."
The last thing she heard before slumber overtook her was Turk saying, "I don't want to lose her."