WILLIAM

The video had been over for an hour now, but I hadn't wanted to move. I looked down to pajamaed Kara asleep in my arms, her waving curls sliding over her delicate face, arms wrapped snugly around my torso and legs bent down the couch. Having her so close was therapeutic to our bond after she kept trying to pull away from it the last few days. Sure, I told her I'd wait for as long as she needed, but I'd caught enough glimpses of her not wanting to deny the connection today that I believe she had finally chosen to fully accept. So I couldn't imagine wanting to move her now.

But it was nearing time I must. I glanced to the single bathroom door. I probably couldn't deny my need very much longer.

I took one last gaze upon her and sighed, then lifted her up and slid out from under her. I brought her up into my arms and carried her through the small apartment to bed.

Placing her down against her pillow, I pulled the blanket to her shoulder and kissed her forehead. My heart spilled with love for her even after only the few days of her near. I had always wished for a mate but didn't think it was possible. I had tried to appease my need of companionship early in my twenties, but I just never felt I could settle with anyone. Now I knew why. She was still out there waiting for me.

I turned to go back to the restroom and a hand curled around my wrist.

Twisting back to her, I smiled to see two sleepy eyes focused my way.

"Stay," she murmured a tired whisper.

I squatted to her bedside and pressed my fingers through her hair the way I knew she liked. "I'll be right back."

She nodded into her pillow with a sweet smile and then closed her eyes, digging herself into the blanket.

Going quick through the bathroom, I then went around her apartment, turning off the tv, and checked windows and the door, making sure the deadbolt was locked and everything was secure. When I was reasonably certain everything was safe for my mate, I turned off all the lights and headed back to Kara's room.

I hadn't fully even pulled the blanket up when she was already nestling into my side. She gave a content sigh and I wrapped my arm around her, pulling her close. Having her sleeping in a room next door was calming to my wolf, when I could still sense her, but this was so much different. A balm to a troubled soul. Like a sleep of kings. It would be addicting. I would never be able to sleep again without her next to me.

She was smiling against my chest, and I felt every tiny movement until her breathing evened out and her fingers relaxed their hold at my shirt. When I knew she was fully asleep, I started drifting myself, easier than I'd ever thought possible.

I'd fallen asleep and didn't know how long when a click brought my senses on high alert. Someone had opened the deadbolt at her front door, and with a deep inhale I knew it was the vet and he'd been drinking. The hairs on my arms stood on end and my wolf bristled. What was that weasel doing here? And in the dead middle of the night?

I pulled myself from Kara's arms and she grunted, fingers digging into my shirt.

I unwrapped her fist and bent down to her whispering, "go back to sleep, honey. I'll be right back."

She yawned and snuggled back into her pillow.

Closing her door, I strode to the front room, eyes on the vet stumbling around even with a phone light pointed at the ground.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, full wolfen authority entering my voice.

The light shone on me. "Who are you?" His face seemed to relax with an answer of his own question. "Ah. You're the one she was screwing."

I stiffened, my wolf on the alert with protectiveness. "Watch what you say, vet."

"No worries." He waved a befuddled arm around like it didn't matter and flipped on a soft kitchen light. "Good on you pal. I've been trying to get that girl in bed for a year now. Tough nut to crack."

My wolf begged to be freed at his insolent words. "You have exactly five seconds to tell me what you are doing here before I destroy you."

His eyes came to mine in a watchful glance. "I'm here to collect her. She will not quit my practice."

"She already has. That will not change. She's staying with me." I growled out.

He eyed me carefully. "I have no need of her beyond an employee. Make sure she stays working and you can have her."

I shook my head, slow and triggering. My wolf eyes surely starting to appear. "Leave vet. She is no longer your concern."

He straightened. "No longer my concern? I paid for her you buffoon. She is mine. If anyone is to leave it's you. You took advantage of a child."

"A child? That's what you think of her as?" My vision doubled with the challenge and trying not to tear the bastard apart. "I.." I started.

"You paid for me?" Kara's soft voice came from her bedroom door.

"Kara, go back to bed. Close the door," I commanded.

"No," she stated and then walked out to the front room holding a robe closed over her chest. "What do you mean, Rick?" She demanded. "My dad said he paid you."

"Finally figured that out, eh?" A sly smirk came over his repugnant face. "He did. He does. But I knew about you long before he was in the picture."

"What?" Kara asked soft.

"You think your college professors didn't find out what you could do? You can heal things Caroline. With a simple thought and your hands on the animal. Don't you think that looks highly suspicious to those teaching you about actual medical procedures? Your anatomy professor was a friend of mine. He gave me the heads up about you. He gave me the first look. Said if I paid him right, he would keep you under wraps. If not, he was going to sell you to the highest bidder."

"I...I don't understand." She hesitated.

I grabbed her and pulled her behind me protectively.

The vet looked at me with distaste then back to her. "We're all just trying to get ahead in this world, Caroline. I paid him fifty grand and he made sure all your practical exams were through him and vowed his silence. When you graduated, I dove in before anyone else could even test a feel. At that point your father came to me with a proposition. I don't tell what I see, and he'd pay me under the table each month. I feigned not to know what you were and agreed. It was a win-win for me. I got the magic girl and I even got paid to take her. Like I would have ever revealed what you could do and have you stolen from me."

"This is so wrong," she spoke upset.

"So that's why I'm here," he flicked the overhead light on fully and glanced to the stacked boxes. "You are all packed already I see. Your lease is up and it's time to take your rightful place next to me." He held his hand out.

I pressed her behind me again and snarled. "She's not going with you."

He practically rolled his eyes and looked at the empty pizza boxes on the counter. "And you think she would really want to go with you? Why would she want to be with a commoner when she has already tasted the high life with me? I can show her the world, and you will show her a few branches in a forest. You have released her fear of sex and I thank you for that. But she will choose riches with me."

I roared the challenge of him taking her from me, and Kara's hand touched at my shoulder blade, just bringing me back from the wolf.

"I'm not going with you Rick. I already told you I quit. I choose him. Now please leave. You have your money. Now go."

"You don't understand Caroline," he snarled. "You are mine. I'm taking you. We had three animals die today. Don't you know how horrible it is to tell a family their beloved pet is gone? No! You don't. I had to do that today Caroline. So yes. You are going with me whether you like it or not."

"I'd like to see you try to get her," I growled out, my fingernails shifting. I pressed my hands into fists to try to cover them.

"Rick leave right now," Kara warned. "Before anyone gets hurt."

He sighed to the ground. "I didn't want to be forced to do this Caroline, but you leave me no choice." He then pulled a syringe from his coat pocket and lunged forward.

His idea of quick was laughable and I had him pinned back against me, holding the hand with the syringe in less than a second.

"What the?" He choked out, most likely not even seeing the movement.

I growled in his ear. "You can leave right now, or we'll see what the substance in this syringe does to a human."

His eyes slowly traveled to Kara looking her over, a moment passing by and voice heavy in suspicion. "What are you?"

I squeezed his hand in anger. "You will never know. Now leave this place right now and never come looking for Kara again."

His hand with the needle jerked in mine, but my hold was only a hair away from breaking the man's wrist. He would not move a fraction of an inch.

His fight started to relax. "Alright. You win." He surrendered.

"Rick I'm so sorry," Kara started, but stopped when my eyes met hers. She straightened. "Rick go home. Find someone else good to hire. Don't come for me again."

He nodded once, and I released him with a push. The syringe safely in my hand instead.

He caught himself from a fall and straightened, smoothing down his coat. "I will leave," he spoke dignified, but a glint in his eye lingered on Kara.

The vet stepped to the door, but I caught an arm, spinning him back to face me, letting my wolf fully transform my eyes and teeth. I bared my fangs, my voice a mixture of wolf growl and human words. "See to it that you never tell anyone what Kara can do or you'll have me to worry about, and I'll make sure that you'll never be able to talk again."

He recoiled, the scent of fear drifting from him. "What are you?"

"Swear it," I snarled.

"I won't speak," he conceded grudgingly, taking another glance to Kara.

"Now leave." I shoved him toward the door.

He nearly fell and scrambled to the handle. He was practically out when Kara spoke again. "Wait."

I turned to her in question, but she was staring at him, eyes unreadable.

"How did you get in here?"

He glanced back at me and I bared my fangs again. Don't try anything.

His hand went in his coat pocket and let a key drop to the ground. He was out the door in another second. I practically slammed it behind him.

Kara grabbed the key and was examining it as I let my teeth recede back to normal. "I never gave him a key," she stated softly.

I picked it from her grasp and set it and the syringe on the counter beside us, gathering her in my arms. She held me as tightly as I held her. Both of us now needing the strength and calming of the mate bond. I'd need to run the frustration off soon, but with her beside me I could handle until morning.

When I heard the elevator ding and him stumble out to the parking lot, I finally felt minutely better. "He's leaving. Let's go back to bed."

She nodded against me and when she finally released, we both moved back to the bedroom.

I already knew I would not be sleeping again tonight.