Free His Purrfect Mate by Aliyah Burke Page B

chin in his hand. “I would never hurt you, Aida.”
    Okay, that was freaky.
    “ Ever,” he reiterated.
When she remained silent, he spoke again. “Tell me you know
that.”
    “ I know that,” she said
quietly and honestly, reaching up to cover his hand with her own.
Dane’s eyes gentled. Aida removed his hand from her chin. Bending
down to pick up her pack, she threw it on her shoulder. “I have to
get going. Goodbye, Dane.”
    “ Not goodbye,
Aida.”
    “ If you say so.” Aida
reached up to lay her hand against his cheek. “Until next time
then. I hope you find whatever you’re looking for to free yourself
from the anguish surrounding you, Dane. I truly do.” With a small
smile, Aida walked out into the late afternoon sun.
    His voice followed her. “I have.” The
statement was spoken in perfect assuredness.
    Steeling herself so she didn’t turn, Aida
kept heading toward her vehicle. She moved past Tau who played
chess on his new board. He waved but didn’t get up. Tossing her bag
onto the passenger seat, she swung up into the back, resetting the
dogs’ items. Standing tall, she put her fingers in her mouth and
whistled.
    “ Sure you won’t stay
longer?” Christopher asked, appearing by the door.
    “ No, I have to get going.”
She jumped down and hugged him. In the back of her mind, she swore
she heard growling. Stepping back, Aida looked around and saw her
boys running towards her. Side by side, they thundered up, and with
no hesitation, they sprang up from the ground, over the side to
land in the back.
    “ Good boys. There’s water
there, drink up.”
    “ Don’t stay away to long
this time, Aida.”
    “ I won’t, Christopher.
Take care.”
    She’d already said her
farewells to everyone else, yet she still hesitated. Casting a look
behind her, she searched for something. Not something. Dane. She couldn’t
see him, but Aida would bet her last dollar he watched her from
somewhere.
    Stepping up into the driver’s seat, Aida
started her engine and drove off with a wave and one final peek in
the rearview. She pushed hard to get home. Stopping as little as
possible. Parking before her house, Aida stumbled to bed,
exhausted. Yet the last thing Dane said continued to flash through
her mind.
    I have.

Chapter Five

    Dane watched her leave, and it tore at his
gut. He shoved a hand through his hair. Until he could no longer
see her vehicle, he remained hidden, then he slipped through the
woods and entered the village from a different side.
    Christopher sought him out. “A word,
Dane?”
    “ Of course.” He followed
Christopher over to some stumps and sat on one. “What can I do for
you?”
    “ Aida told me what
occurred between you two.”
    Face impassive, Dane held the inquisitive
stare. “Did she?”
    Christopher shrugged. “Well, not totally.
But I want to make sure you won’t hurt her.”
    He fought back a snarl at
the insulation he would ever hurt her. She’s my mate! But Christopher
didn’t know that. Neither did Aida. Yet. “I would never hurt her. I
promise, Christopher. I’d gladly give my life for hers.”
    Christopher seemed taken aback by that
statement. “Why would you say that?”
    Dane rose to his full height, and he could
feel his tiger pushing through. No point in ignoring it with this
man. “Because she’s mine,” he announced.
    Getting to his own feet, Christopher sighed
and shook his head. “I think you could seriously hurt her, Dane.
And if that day ever comes, you and I will not be on friendly
terms.” He walked away.
    Dane watched him leave. His animal wanted to
challenge Christopher right then. Aida and Christopher had some
kind of connection, and he didn’t like it. Neither did his
beast.
    “ Mr. Dane! Mr. Dane!” Tau
yelled, running up.
    “ What is it,
Tau?”
    The boy watched him with sparkling brown
eyes. “Can we play later?”
    “ Sure thing. After the
evening meal, we’ll play.”
    The boy grinned widely. “Okay. Bye, Mr.
Dane.”
    “ See ya,”