Chapter Eleven

The next time I woke up, Mav stood in the doorway with a tray of food in his hands.

"You need to eat."

I couldn't even be mad at him for his gruffness because what he was really saying was, I care about you, and I'm worried. You need to eat. Or, at least, I interpreted that from his simple gesture of feeding me to avoid, you know, starving me.

Biting back a yawn, I pushed myself to sit up, my back against the headboard. "You didn't have to get my breakfast." It smelled delightful, but I had two feet and knew where the kitchen was. It would've been easy enough for me to grab some cereal or something. This was better though. There was no denying that.

He placed the tray on my lap. "You need to eat, and now." His expression dared me to try and deny him. And really, I didn't want to. The food smelled amazing, and now that I could see the source of the yummy aroma? Yeah, I wanted every morsel.

"What I meant was, thank you." I smiled softly at him, loving the way his eyes zoned in on my lips. Was he thinking about kissing them? I sure was thinking about exploring his mouth.

I looked down to get a better look at my meal. A stack of blueberry pancakes, far more than I was going to be able to eat, slathered in butter and served with a little container of what looked like mixed berry jelly or possibly compote. It smelled delicious, and I couldn't wait to slather my pancakes with it. And on a small dish beside it? Crispy, crispy bacon.

"I need to go out today," he said. "To the store."

"Okay," I replied. He didn't need to ask my permission.

"Do you have a list of things you need, or do you want to come with me?" he asked.

That was the million-dollar question, one that had a lot of baggage with it, at least on my end.

"You should come with me," he tacked on.

"Sounds like I'm not even in this conversation," I teased. But also, it was accurate. He was fighting with himself over my potential participation in his outing, and it was all kinds of adorable.

"It's been years since I've been out in public," I finally admitted after I swallowed my mouthful of pancake. "I don't even know how to act, or what stores are out there, or where I'd even want to go. But also, what if I mess it up?" Every muscle in my body was in knots.

"There is no messing up. I've been in stores where people are walking around in their pajamas and slippers. I've been in stores where people had their shirts on backward, and where people act all confused when they're asked for money. You'll be fine," he reassured me.

"Compared to all of that, you're three or four steps ahead of a good majority of those out there." I appreciated his attempt to relax me and lighten the mood. Whether or not to go shopping shouldn't be this complicated a decision.

"I do kind of want to go," I admitted.

"Well, that's settled. You need clothes," he said.

"Okay," I replied, not arguing with him when he was right. And as much as I didn't like the idea of feeling obligated to pay for them, his sweatpants worked—sort of. They stayed up mostly, but they weren't exactly what you'd call my size. To make matters worse, the string tie, even when pulled as tightly as possible, didn't keep them up. They were hanging low on my hips, threatening to fall to the floor with every step.

"And I'll take you to lunch." He quickly added, "Okay?" I liked being asked instead of told. Imagine if I actually had a conversation with him, explaining my needs and boundaries. I needed to do that.

I wasn't sure how I felt about the whole shopping idea. I needed to eat food and wear clothes. Necessities rather than luxuries as long as I kept it reasonable in cost. His offer meant getting both without having to leave his side. Win.

"Have you got a mate?" I blurted out, snapping my lips closed while my cheeks burned. I hadn't been aware that the question was on my mind, but it had to have been or I'd not let it out.

"Not yet," he replied, looking me up and down.

"Okay," I said, relieved.

It didn't take me long to finish eating and get ready. Once again, I had a hot shower, and, just like last night, enjoyed it thoroughly.

On the way to town in one of the SUVs, I told him about my capture. I had been looking for work and accepted a job at a factory. Not the most fulfilling work, of course, but it paid well. They even offered overtime. Unlike humans, I had the physical ability to do what they were asking without wearing out my body. A perfect position for me.

Only there had never been a job.

The "factory" turned out to be at an auction selling live shifters as breeders as if they were nothing more than a bottom line on their assets sheet.

"You were a breeder?" he asked, pulling the car over. His dragon was close. Too close. He hated the idea of me being one of what I had. I hated it too. But I lived it and thankfully sucked at it because my lack of pregnancies that made it possible for Mav to save me.

"Yes," I confirmed, tears freely flowing down my face. "Until they realized I couldn't be what they needed."

"Wait? Are you saying you can't have babies?"

"Yeah," I admitted, wondering if he would turn the car on just to drive me back home or if he'd get angry.

Instead, he hugged me close and said I was perfect the way I was.

And I believed him.