A Prideful Mate Read Online Free PDF

sniffed his friend.
    “Why are you sniffing me?” Payce asked, waiting to see if Dennis guessed what was going on.
    Dennis’ piercing blue eyes went wide. “You’re mated. You found your mate. Yes!!!” Payce’s head spun as Dennis picked him up and swung him around in a circle.
    “Congratulations.”
    Laughing, Payce tried to catch his balance when he was unceremoniously set back on his feet. “Thanks.”
    A PRIDEFUL MATE
    Amber Kell
    28
    “What’s he like?”
    Payce sighed. “Absolutely gorgeous.”
    “Well, you’re going to think that. He’s your mate. It is a he, right?” Payce nodded. “I met him through a dating service.” Dennis shoved his smartphone at his friend. “Show me his picture.”
    “Fine.” Shaking his head, Payce logged onto the site and pulled up Kevin’s profile.
    “Oh, my God!” Dennis said, staring at his phone. “He’s fucking beautiful! You lucky bastard.”
    Payce couldn’t stop smiling. “He is, isn’t he?”
    “When did this happen?”
    “Yesterday. He’s visiting me from the Cascade Mountains.”
    “So why are you here instead of at your apartment?” Payce sighed as he remembered what had him fleeing his home. “He’s got kids.”
    “Umm, and you hate kids?”
    “No! I don’t know how I feel about kids, but he was all about letting me out of the entire thing. Before I had a chance to respond, he was telling me I don’t have to be part of their lives if I don’t want to, but what kind of asshole doesn’t want to help raise his mate’s kids?”
    Dennis was staring at him like he’d grown two heads. “What was your father like?” Payce shrugged. “I never met him.”
    “Mine kicked me out as soon as I was eighteen. He would’ve done it earlier if humans let you. He was a complete bastard. What kind of father is your guy?” Payce smiled at the memory. “I only saw him talking to them once, but they stole their mother’s phone to call him. They were young, really adorable.” Dennis kicked him, hard.
    “Oww. What the fuck was that for?”
    “You have a gorgeous mate who is a devoted father and considerate of your feelings, and you left him to come and lay tile. What kind of idiot are you? Get your ass back home before he decides you’re too much trouble and leaves town.” A PRIDEFUL MATE
    Amber Kell
    29
    “You think he might do that?” Panic filled Payce. Sure he wasn’t all lovey when he left Kevin, but that didn’t mean the man would leave him. After all they were mates. Didn’t that mean he had to put up with Payce’s crap?
    Dennis shoved him towards the exit. “Go. I’ll cover for you.”
    “Thanks.” He gave his friend a quick hug.
    Rushing out of the building, he reached into his pocket and pressed the alarm for his truck.
    The explosion rocked the neighbourhood. Before his terrified gaze, Payce’s truck blasted into pieces. Bits of scrap metal whipped through the air smashing into windows and littering the street.
    His truck.
    Exploded.
    Payce ducked as a tire streaked by his head.
    Staring at the scene, it took him a moment to realise it was his cell phone ringing and not his ears.
    “Hello.”
    “Hey, babe. Can you meet for lunch?” Kevin’s soft drawl was a welcoming sound.
    “Come get me. My truck just blew up.”
    “I’m on my way.” Kevin hung up without another word.
    Payce had to give him credit. His mate didn’t panic in an emergency.
    “What happened?” Dennis appeared beside him, staring at the bits of metal and flames in astonishment.
    “Someone blew up my truck!” He still couldn’t believe it. His hands shook as he tried to put the phone back in his pocket. It proved to be a next to impossible task as his nerves were shot and he couldn’t still his fingers enough to slide it in.
    A noise kept distracting him from his friend’s concerned questioning. It took him a moment to realise the sound was his teeth chattering. He’d almost died just as he found his mate. Why would anyone want to kill him?
    Kevin