Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 91622 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91622 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Why had his mate deserted him when he’d done everything in his power to provide for Dane’s needs, to make him happy and give him pleasure?
“Oh, hang on,” Dex said as his phone clicked again. He took it away and proceeded to type while Jag stifled the urge to sob. He’d become too soft to control his own mate. And worse yet, proving himself while injured would be harder than it was before.
“Yes. Let’s go. Where are my pants?”
Dex pouted, not even taking his eyes off the phone. “Sorry, but there was blood all over everything. They had to throw them away.”
Jag growled and spread his arms, but immediately regretted the abrupt gesture when his stomach stung. He’d have to remember to not repeat that gesture in front of Dane, or he’d prove himself weak and useless in his man’s eyes. “Fine. This will do,” he said, glancing at a blue gown resting across an empty seat.
Dex showed him his open palm and started making a swiping motion across the screen. “I wonder if he’s local. Real shitty of him to leave you like that after he fucked you.”
Jag wobbled to the chair and pulled the gown over his body to avoid unnecessary pain. “He’s so much more than that. He’s my mate. He’s my life. I must find him.”
Dex put a piece of chewing gum into his mouth but didn’t stop scrolling. “Look, I also felt like this after I had a guy for the first time, but don’t put too much weight on that. There will be others.”
Jag grabbed an empty plastic cup and threw it to the floor, but it was very light and hardly made enough sound to express his fury. “I don’t want another! I want him. He’s mine, and I’m not letting go. We built a house. He… he likes me.” Jag was ashamed how it came out like a little whine, but it was too late to take his words back.
Dex watched him, his finger hovering in front of the screen, big yet droopy eyes alert. “He did run. Are you sure you want to look for him? If I were you, I’d have a rebound and send him pictures.”
Jag huffed and leaned against the wall when his head spun even though he itched to shake Dex. “You don’t understand anything. I’ll hunt him down to the ends of the world. I’ll sooner die than give up, and anyone who stands in my way should be very afraid.”
Dex rolled his eyes. “Ooh-kay… I found a street name in the background of one of his public photos. That’s our best bet if you really need to go.”
Jag nodded, and his heart skipped a beat when he imagined Dane back in their den, where he belonged. “I will not forget this, Dex.”
Dex crossed his arms, frowned, and pointed at Jag. “We need to hurry. Frank could come back any moment, and he’ll stop you. You know how he is.”
Jag nodded. Frank meant well, but this was a matter between Jag and Dane.
***
Dex’s phone started ringing again, but he’d switched the connection off like he had the past few times. “Frankie’s really mad. Just saying,” Dex said as they drove through a quiet suburb. There were few street lights around, but Dex seemed to know where he was going.
“He can stay mad. I love him like a brother, but a man has to choose his own path.”
Right now, Jag wasn’t wearing any pants while walking his path, but he didn’t need clothes to hunt down Dane and bring him back home. The sense of betrayal was a constant, throbbing pain in his chest, but he kept telling himself that he’d mismanaged the relationship, and it wouldn’t have happened if Dane had truly known his place in their family. Everything would be back to normal once Jag took him home and conveyed what their roles would be, without making any special allowances on account of Dane’s former life.
“I think that’s the house!” he exclaimed at the sight of a colorful mural that looked similar to the one in the photo Dex had shown him.
Fighting through the throbbing pain that left him lightheaded and sweaty, Jag placed his hand on the door handle, but as the car stopped by one of the houses nearby, he found himself unsure how to proceed. Dane had told him he had a large family, and if Jag marched up to the front door, demanding his return, he might end up overpowered. Another option was to attempt sneaking inside, but with his body just starting to recover from the injury, he wasn’t nearly as agile as usual.
“I actually fuck around with a guy from the next street over sometimes,” Dex said and typed away on his phone as soon as he switched off the engine. “Wonder if he’s home.”