Free Claiming His Need by Ellis Leigh Page B

“I won’t let them get to you again. And when I have ensured your safety, I will begin the courtship as I promised. I am a man of my word, young one. I will not disappoint you.”

    Hours later, after returning to the great room and listening to my father rant and rave about how I would be safest with a pack guard, to which Gates argued vehemently, I climbed the stairs once again on my way to my suite. The one they called Pup walked a step behind me. He’d apparently drawn the short straw to be stationed outside my door.
    “This is a bit much, don’t you think?”
    “If Gates thinks it’s necessary, then no. Nothing is too much to keep his mate safe.”
    “My pack is aware of the danger. They will patrol and guard the house. You aren’t going to do any good standing in the hall.” I paused at my door and turned to scowl at the young shifter. His intense expression forced me to pause.
    “I failed a brother’s mate once, and she and I almost died because of it. I will not fail again.” He pushed open the door and directed me inside. “So as Gates’ mate, if he tells me to stand here all night, I’ll stand. If he tells me to fight, I’ll fight. If he tells me to play fetch, I’ll play fetch. Because if anything were to happen to you, he would never recover.”
    I took a step back, my brow furrowed.
    Pup blew out a breath. “He’s been alone a long time, longer than any other unmated shifter I know of. God only knows how he’s lived as long as he has, but one thing is for sure. Finding you may very well be the thing that keeps him alive. So whatever it takes to keep you alive, I’ll do. Because in all the ways that matter, he’s my brother in all the ways that count, my family beyond club brotherhood or pack bonds. I carry his blood in my veins.” He leaned in, his eyes hard and his face serious.  
    “I will not fail another mate.”
    I stared into his eyes. They were so strong, so filled with determination. They left me no room to doubt his intentions.  
    “Understood.”
    He smiled and stepped out into the hall. “Go to bed, princess. Your prince is waiting for you on the balcony.”
    The second the door was closed, I spun and raced for my bedroom, excited to once again see Gates. Though I still wished we could have begun our courting, I was beginning to understand his fears. I would want to lock Gates in the attic with me if I thought someone was after him.
    My patio door was open, a cool, soft breeze wafting through the curtains and bringing the lemony-sage smell of my mate along with it. I fought back a smile as I purposely ignored the open door.
    If my mate thought I was going to ignore the fact that he was so close to me yet I was unable to touch him, he was wrong.
    I hummed as I sat at my vanity, letting my scarlet cloak fan around me. I brushed my hair, making sure it hung light and shiny over my shoulders. When I was done, I stood and walked to my hope chest. I dug deep for the box of sexy lingerie I’d long ago hidden, biting back my grin. I pulled each item out, holding it up and inspecting it as if to determine what to wear to sleep. But tonight was not about sleep. I wanted to tease my mate. And I was, if the rumbles coming from the balcony were any indication.  
    When I pulled the last item out and found it unsatisfactory, I stood and untied my cloak from around my shoulders.
    “You wouldn’t.” Gates’ deep voice carried into the room, the tone dark and filled with desire. I liked it. I wanted to hear it again.  
    “Wouldn’t what, dear mate?” The ribbons holding my cloak together at my neck hung free, and I slipped one shoulder out of the billowing fabric.  
    “You’re not wearing anything under that robe.”
    “It’s a cloak, not a robe. And of course I’m not wearing anything under it. Cloaks make for easy shifting.” I glanced at the patio door over my shoulder. “Are you concerned you’ll see me naked again? The whole pack has on numerous occasions. It’s hard