Chapter 824 Chapter 824
Jake got out and stood there watching her go toward the house.
She paused and looked back at him.
His cat was unhappy that nothing was resolved. “She’s thinking about it.” He said under his breath.
She put her hand over her stomach and then turned to go to the stairs.
Was she all right? “Shit.” He jogged after her. “Wait.”
Rory paused on the step and turned around.
He slid in the mud, stopping just before he hit the bottom step. “Are you sure you’re okay? My cat is concerned—I am too, but he can sense something and…”
“Your animal senses things even if it’s not out?”
He could see the confusion on her face. She really didn’t understand her own animal. “Well, yeah. Doesn’t yours?”
She looked down. “I don’t know.” She grimaced and put her hand over her stomach. “Maybe I should go have another bath and try to relax. My muscles are so tense—probably from the cold water.”
He searched her face for a moment. The cold water wasn’t the cause. “You really have managed to ignore that part of you, haven’t you?” He scoffed. “I can’t even manage to settle mine down right now, and you’ve turned yours off.” He shrugged. “That takes incredible strength.”
Her gaze flicked back to him. “I’m sure you’re just saying that to compliment me.”
She was taking short breaths, and it worried him. Her cat was close and she didn’t realize it. “No. Well, yeah, it is a compliment, but I mean it. I don’t know how you do it.” His cat was no longer just concerned. He was ready to come out and take over this. Her animal was close—but not in the way he normally felt other animals. He didn’t understand it.
She gripped the railing and he looked to see her knuckles were white. Any other shifter and he’d tell them to go for a run, but she wasn’t like any other shifter. He stepped up one step. “You’re not okay, are you? Did you hurt…”
She shook her head and exhaled slowly. “I didn’t get hurt.”
He barely heard her, and then her face contorted in pain.
“Jake.”
He moved closer and put his hands on her waist.
“I think—” She sucked in a breath.
“Hey.” He held her firmly and moved closer. “Just breathe. Close your eyes and breathe. I have you.”
Rory nodded and closed her eyes. Her face was still filled with pain, but her breathing was evening out.
“I’ve got you.” He whispered against her ear.
He heard the bag she was clutching hit the steps, and then she grabbed the front of his jacket. She sucked in a breath and then dropped her head forward and rested his against his shoulder.
“It—I think…”
“Shh. I can feel her. It’s going to be all right. Just breathe.” He touched the back of her head and stroked his hand over her hair.
She took a deep breath, and he hoped his scent did something to help. He’d heard it could with mates, but never having experienced it himself, he didn’t know for sure. Her scent did things to him that was exciting and calming at the same time. Being near her made him crave her. “That’s it. Just breathe. It’s going to be all right.”
He felt her put more weight against him as she took slow, deep breaths. He needed to distract her. “It doesn’t matter to me if you don’t shift, Rory, but feeling your discomfort is hard. I don’t know how you do it, but I’ll help in any way I can.” He kept his tone soft and hoped she could sense that he was being understanding and not judging her choices. Her grip on his jacket loosened, and she nodded but didn’t look at him.
“That’s it. Can you feel her settling down?” He needed his to settle down before he did something stupid. “The stress will bring her closer to the surface. She just wants to protect you.” He continued stroking his hand over her hair, hoping it was soothing both her and her animal. “She was just feeling your stress. You’re okay. You’re going to be fine.” Her animal wasn’t giving off such intense vibes now.
“I think it’s you.” She whispered and then lifted her head and looked at him.
“Me?”
“I think it’s you calming it – her.”
He searched her face. “That’s part of the mate thing.” He gave her a lopsided grin. “Wouldn’t do much good if I couldn’t help, would it.” He brushed the hair that had fallen into her eyes back. “I don’t know how you’re doing it after the last few days, but I’ll help you.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead softly, lingering just for a second to process her taste. “You need to eat. The energy you burned fighting that river and controlling her—” He leaned back so he could see her face. “You need to refuel.”
She nodded.
“Okay.” He moved away. “Let’s go inside and get some food.” He held out his hand.
She picked up the bag and then put her hand in his. “You worked better than any other method I’ve ever tried.”
He opened the door and then looked at her. “Anytime you need.” He nodded and waited.
She nodded back to him and went inside.
“Do you need me to stay?” He could smell the bacon cooking. He planned to go in and invite himself to some of it, but first, he needed to go pace off some of this turmoil that his cat was weaving throughout his entire body.
“I think I’ll be okay.” She didn’t smile, but her eyes had that determined look back in them.
“Okay. I am coming back to steal some of that food I smell cooking, but I have to do something first.”
“Okay.” This time, she did give him a small smile. “Thank you, Jake.”
He shrugged. “I’ll be back in a couple of minutes.” He backed toward the door. His cat was basically prancing around inside him, and he didn’t want hers to pick up on it, or they’d be in a mess all over again.
“Okay.”
Jake pushed the door open and sucked air into his body as he walked down the steps. “Bad timing, dude.” He said under his breath.