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“Do your thing, little danger. I’m not worried. I don’t need anyone but you.” He winked, and in a flash, was gone.

Nee was right, I was so fucking screwed because I didn’t want anybody but him either.

Chapter

Twelve

“Ithought you said that wasn’t your mate,” Hale said, too damn amused.

“We’re not fated, but she’s damn sure my mate.”

“You sealed the bond?” He turned to me, looking even more smug because he knew the answer. I hadn’t but I needed to. I would be claiming her really fucking soon. The thought of anyone hurting her had me enraged.

Micah was just a dumb kid with too much anger and testosterone who couldn’t harm Uri, but we existed amongst forces much stronger than him. I needed my scent on her. There was no guarantee that it would keep Uri out of harm’s way but anyone who got near, my lady would understand there were consequences for touching what was mine.

Uri was mine.

“It will be done,” was all I said and Hale grinned smugly.

“When, Ky? You almost caught a body over her and she’s not even yours.”

“She’s mine,” I sneered, dropping my fangs when I turned to him. He smiled wider, simply because he liked to fuck with me, and kept running his damn mouth.

“I mean… she’s fine as hell though, so I get it. Baby got a body and her blood smells sweet…”

My brother choked, unable to get the last word out because I was on him within seconds with my hand wrapped around his neck. He didn’t so much as flinch because he knew I wouldn’t harm him…too much.

“Ky, chill. I just wanted to see how deep things were. I see now it’s fucking sea level.”

He knocked my hand away only because I released my grip and pulled the truck to the doors at the station.

“She’s a witch. How is that supposed to work with you choosing her as a mate?”

“Don’t know, don’t care. She’s mine.”

“No shit,” he said, shaking his head as we got out and removed the groceries from the truck. “And just so we’re clear, that little detour we just made to her store means you’re taking my spot in the kitchen tonight. You’re cooking.”

“You think I give a shit about you telling Cap we made a stop?”

“I know you don’t care but I also know you, and as soon as things get quiet around here, you’re dipping out. Don’t think I didn’t hear you telling her to kick it at your spot tonight. Your ass ain’t slick, Ky. You love the danger we experience too much to let Cap sit your ass down for breaking the rules. You need the rush, so you need me to make sure they know you’re not missing later. Make sure it’s something good too. I feel a little malnutritioned. You don’t want me slacking on the job if we get a call.”

Cap was a Danakil elder who we all respected, which meant we followed station rules, one of the main being we didn’t leave while on duty unless it was station business. Me needing to see Uri damn sure wasn’t station business.

“All you do is eat. The fuck you mean malnutritioned?”

“I’m just saying, I need my nutrients.”

When we got inside, a few of the guys were playing cards in the game room and a handful of the others were in the sleeping quarters. We all took full advantage when we had downtime because it was rare. The back to back calls were a lot, so every minute of peace counted.

Aside from Priest, none of us were great in the kitchen. We could feed ourselves for the most part, but it wasn’t anything to brag about. So when we ended up on a shift that didn’t have Priest, most of what we ate was grilled or one pot meals like the spaghetti I was making tonight. I could throw that shit together then dip out when everyone got distracted. I prayed the night remained calm, but if I was needed, I could be back in a matter of minutes.

Shortly after I got started in the kitchen Tor walked in, grabbing water from the pantry. “I thought Hale was supposed to be cooking tonight.”

“He was,” I muttered, removing the three gallon pot so I could boil the pasta.

“What did you do?” He smirked and leaned against the counter.

“Not a damn thing.”