Page 17 of Guarding the Runaway Omega

Hawk held up his hands, palms out. “It’s okay, little wolf. I can explain.”

“The fuck you can!” Jasper darted his gaze around, helplessly. He could never outrun Hawk. Especially not in these damn slippers.

“I was going to tell you when the time was right. I didn’t think you could handle knowing yet.” Hawk’s face twisted as if he were in physical pain. “The drugs wearing off so soon never occurred to me.”

Jasper took a step back as Hawk took one forward.

“Don’t come near me! You’re full of so much shit, why would I believe anything you said?” Jasper huffed. “And you were going to tell me that you’re taking me back to prison, that you’ve been putting on an act this whole time? That you’re a betrayer?”

Hawk’s mouth dropped open. “What? Gods, no! Is that what you think?”

Jasper took two more steps back as Hawk advanced on him. Maybe if I lock myself in the truck to give me a chance to think? Of course, Hawk probably had the keys with him, so a lot of good that would do. I’m so fucking fucked.

“What else am I supposed to think, huh? As soon as you found out I could smell again, that I’m recovering, you acted like it was the worst news ever!” He jabbed a finger in the air at Hawk. “And don’t think I can’t tell you’ve been hiding something from me this whole time. I know you think I’m a stupid kid, but I’m not. Stupid enough to follow a pretty face into the wilderness, maybe, but not completely clueless.” He crossed his arms defiantly. “Nice touch with the whole dad helping us escape thing. Oh, and the ride in the Charger was kinda fun too.” Jasper glared. “Dickhead.”

One corner of Hawk’s mouth twitched, and Jasper narrowed his eyes. If that lying sack of shit is about to laugh at me, he’s getting a rock to the head.

“Come here, my little wolf.”

Hawk moved closer and Jasper reached down for a nice-sized stone to give it to the bastard good. Right as Jasper’s fingers closed around the rock, Hawk grabbed his wrist and yanked Jasper to him. Jasper opened his mouth to yell but froze instead. The stone fell from his hand.

“Y-you… You’re, y-you’re my…”

All he could manage to do was stare up at Hawk, breathe him in, absorb his warmth, his spirit. Wallow in the glorious revelation that he’d found his fated mate.

Or he found me. Jasper smiled. We found each other.

“You’re my mate.”

Hawk’s smile lit up his face as he gazed down at him. “And you’re mine. I’d never let anyone harm you, Jasper, ever. I’ll protect you with my life.”

Shame filled Jasper over his rash assumptions and how he’d doubted Hawk. “Um, sorry about the whole rock thing.”

Hawk shook his head and Jasper’s chest tightened. He hoped Hawk wasn’t too mad because Jasper had tried to bash him.

Hawk leaned down, so close to he could smell Hawk’s sweet breath. “Don’t you remember? We called a truce on saying sorry.”

Then Hawk kissed him.

Chapter Seven

Hawk kissed his mate for the first time and discovered joy with Jasper in his arms. He moved his lips over Jasper’s mouth, not seeking entrance, merely tasting him.

Tasting my sweet, feisty, adorable little wolf.

While Jasper hadn’t objected so far to being called ‘little’, Hawk wasn’t sure how he’d react to any of the other descriptors Hawk had for him.

Hawk cradled Jasper’s head and grasped his waist, sending wishes to all the stars that they could seal their bond and Hawk could officially claim him. Now that Jasper could feel the mating pull too, it would make staying in control even harder. Not that there was anything wrong with them completing the bond, but Hawk wanted the moment to be special and not rushed—not while they were running for their lives.

Jasper broke their connection, but still clutched Hawk’s jacket as he peered up at him. “What’s wrong?”

Hawk pressed a final kiss to his forehead. “Nothing could ever be wrong when it comes to us.”

“Oh.” Jasper continued to stare up at him as if dazed. “Wow.”

“Hey.” Hawk stroked Jasper’s hair back from his forehead. “Let’s get you something to eat. The rabbit should be done by now.”

“I’m not hungry.”