Free Skye’s Limits by Stephani Hecht Page B

kids anymore.”
    Alden shrugged. “I was getting tired of that gig anyway. I can stick with the Cheetah team and just focus on that.”
    Mitchell sighed. “I’m sorry to hear that. You were the best mentor I had.”
    “I’m honored to hear that, but Skye is more important than anything.”
    “He really means that much to you?”
    “Like I said, I’ll do anything to have him.”
    “Even with his sordid past?” Mitchell asked with a raised brow.
    “That’s the past. This is now, and things are different. Skye is different. He’s changed. Just ask Logan. He’s doing great as a soldier. He’s more than keeping up with the others. Logan says he should be able to go out in the field soon.”
    Alden didn’t add how nervous that made him. Just the thought of Skye out there fighting in real-life battles made Alden sick to his stomach. But Alden knew that he had to let Skye go and live out his dream. If he didn’t, then he was no better than Branson.
    “I don’t need to ask Logan. He’s already told me. You may not know it, but I’ve been keeping a close eye on Skye for a while. I’ve been worried about him,” Mitchell said.
    That was news to Alden. “You have?”
    “Yeah, he seemed like such a good kid. I hated to see him ruin his life the way he was. Plus, I have a soft spot for Branson. He’s an important part of this coalition. I would hate to see his family self-destruct.”
    “Yeah, well right now, Branson and I aren’t exactly on the best terms,” Alden spit out angrily.
    It was going to take a while before Alden could get over what Branson had done to Skye. After all Skye had done to make his brother proud of him, for Branson to throw it all back at him was a slap in Skye’s face. Since it had hurt Skye so much, it had made Alden mad.
    “I would give Branson some leeway, he’s had it tough with Skye,” Mitchell said. “I’m sure Branson said some things in anger that he wishes he could take back.”
    “He hurt Skye bad. I hope he knows that,” Alden replied.
    “I’m sure Branson is kicking himself over that. Trust me, Branson is a good man. He loves Skye just as much as you do.”
    “Yeah, well, he didn’t show it last night.”
    “Give him another chance. I’m sure he’s going to be doing some serious groveling.”
    “Well, if he doesn’t, then I’m having Skye move in with me. I won’t have him live in that kind of environment. It’s not good for him,” Alden said angrily.
    Come to think of it, Alden was going to ask Skye to live with him regardless. He wanted his mate where he belonged, by his side at all times. Well, at all times when they weren’t working.
    “I’m thinking that will be Skye’s decision,” Mitchell said.
    “He’ll want to be with me,” Alden said with confidence.
    “If you say so. I’m sure it’ll be an interesting conversation nonetheless,” Mitchell said.
    “Are we finished here, sir?” Alden said.
    He wanted to go back to his place, take a shower, and get things ready for when Skye showed up. Alden wanted everything to be prefect for his mate.
    Mitchell stood, and Alden did the same. “Yes. I just hope you’re ready for the fallout that’s going to happen from all this. Even though you waited until after you were done training Skye to start your relationship, people are still going to talk.”
    “Let them. I can handle a little gossip. So long as they keep away from Skye, things will be fine.”
    Mitchell shook his head. “You must really be his mate. You sure are protective of him.”
    “I would die for him, and I’m not just saying that.”
    “I feel the same way about my mate, so I know what you’re talking about. Good luck to you.”
    Mitchell shook Alden’s hand and let him go. As Alden left the office, he released his pent up breath. Well, that went better than he thought it would. Mitchell hadn’t yelled at him. Sure, he had been stern at times, but overall, he had actually been supportive.
    Alden went back to his place and