Page 25 of Shielded By My Mate

“Nah. You give him a home and a purpose. Love. He can’t get that anywhere else. Shifters aren’t like humans. If they can’t find their fated mate, they spend their whole lives alone, yearning.”

“That’s so sad.”

“You saved Ansel from that fate.”

We both turn as we hear boots on the front porch.

“Hey,” Ansel greets me, moving my way as soon as he steps inside.

I smile. “Hey.”

“I have news about Ridley,” he says, looking pleased.

“We’ll get out of your hair. I’ll see you later,” Ever says, stooping to hug me goodbye.

“Thanks for keeping me company,” I say.

She smiles and waves as she and Russo head home.

“They might have found Ridley,” Ansel tells me, sitting down next to me.

“Really? Where?”

“She’s still back in Southmill. There’s a building there, a warehouse. We think that’s where they’re keeping some of the girls.”

“Why?”

“I have no idea. I’m not sure why they split you up. Maybe it was easier to move one girl at a time?”

“When can we go get her?”

“They’re making a plan now. Getting blueprints of the building and the area. They’ll be moving soon.”

“Oh, thank God.”

Ansel tugs me into his arms. “We’ll get her.”

I nod against his shoulder. “Thank you.”

“Of course. Anything for you, mate.”

My body heats at his proximity.

Ansel clears his throat and sets me back on the cushions. “Are you hungry? I was going to make dinner.”

I push to my feet as he stands. “I can help.”

He shakes his head. “I’ve got it. You take it easy.”

Ansel growls as I move toward the kitchen anyway and bends to lift me in his arms. He carries me into the kitchen and settles me in my chair before quickly putting space between us.

Now he’s back, the mating heat is hitting me full force. I take deep breaths as he gathers ingredients for dinner. The deep breaths don’t work, though. My body feels like it’s burning up.

I shift in the chair, biting my lip to hold back a moan as I watch Ansel move around the kitchen. My eyes lock on his arms, on the ripple of his muscles.

He could probably pin me against the wall and fuck me. Or bend me over the counter. Or⁠—

Get it together!