hands through his mate’s hair. He loved him more than anything. Maybe he was being selfish in waiting. He was only trying to protect him. He leaned down and ran his lips over Oliver’s, feeling Oliver’s breath exhale onto his. Micah turned his head and nuzzled his cheek against Oliver’s, feeling the smooth skin caress under his affection.
Micah pulled away when a knock sounded on his door, Jasper held a tray with the items he requested. He thanked him and carried it over to the bed. Should he wake him or let him sleep? He needed warmth. Sleep could claim him again once the broth and tea were inside of him.
“Wake up, baby.” Micah ran his hand down the side of Oliver’s face as Oliver’s eyes fluttered. “That’s it. Wake up.”
Oliver began to shake. His lip trembled from the cold. Micah pulled him up into a sitting position and brought the cup of broth over to his lips.
“Sip it. It’s hot.” Micah held the mug as Oliver’s lips touched the rim, his eyes locked onto Micah’s. A single tear slid down his mate’s face.
“Hush, baby, dry your eyes. We’ll discuss the whys later. I want you warm now.” Micah lifted the cup to Oliver’s lips once again but Oliver turned his head. His shoulders shook as he confessed.
“I was unfaithful, Micah.”
Micah’s world turned on its axis. The four words repeating over and over in his head. No. no, no. Not his mate. Who? Who touched his Oliver? Who lay with his mate?
Rage ripped through his soul as his canines punched through and his eyes burned crimson. His claws shattered the mug in his hand as they shot from his fingers, hot liquid splashing onto his thighs. He had to get away from his mate, but not before he found out who.
“Name, now.” He growled in a voice that rivaled Satan’s.
Oliver shook his head, pulling back in fear.
Micah threw back his head and released a howl. His pain and anguish could be heard within the cry.
Micah braced his hands on either side of Oliver’s head onto the pillow. “You will not leave this room and no one —” He leaned closer, his hot breath almost touching Oliver’s lips. “ No one is to come into this room. Do you understand me?”
Oliver nodded in quick bursts then Micah pulled away.
He stood, looking down at Oliver with such pain in his heart. Oliver began to cry, but he couldn’t deal with it right now. Micah shook his head then slammed the door as he made his escape. Micah was in a world of pain. He shifted right outside his bedroom door then raced down the winding staircase. He couldn’t think. His head and heart were in a battle. Micah leapt, crashing through the front window as he ran from the hurt threatening to tear his heart out.
Chapter Four
Blair knocked on his brother’s door. It had been seven days since he had seen him, and almost every tray that was brought to him was returned untouched. He worried that Oliver was trying to starve himself to death. Why had his brother cheated on his mate? This didn’t make sense to him. Oliver wasn’t like that. Micah hadn’t been seen since the day they returned from the fair.
The door cracked open, and Blair pushed through before Oliver could open it all the way.
“Get out! No one can be in here. Please, Blair, get out,” Oliver begged as he pushed Blair back through the door.
“Will you stop it? I’m your damn brother. If Micah thinks something is going on with us, then he’s lost his marbles.” Blair was worried that Micah had done just that. The wolf had looked crazed when he burst through the front window and escaped to the forest.
“No one. He said no one.” Oliver slammed the door in his face. Well, fuck. Now what? Blair had noticed the sunken eyes and the lost weight before he was kicked out. His brother’s eyes were darting everywhere and unfocused.
Blair walked back down to the den. Something had to be done. He couldn’t leave Oliver in the state he was in, so how could he fix this? First, he had to find Micah then he had