Mine for Eternity [Council Enforcers] (Siren Publishing Classic)

work. He cleaned Tessa’s face first and Mitch winced at the deep, jagged furrows. One had come dangerously close to her eye. He knew she had been lucky not to have lost it. Shifters may have had accelerated healing, but even they couldn’t grow body parts back. As Ben got to work, Mitch held his mate’s hand and listened to the beat of her heart. Each thump comforted him and let him know that his mate was still alive. He could feel his lion growing calmer and calmer with each beat as well.
    When Ben was finished, Mitch thanked him and gathered his mate in his arms. He carried her up the stairs and straight to his bathroom. He needed to wash the scent of the rogue off Tessa before he could rest. His lion was in full agreement. As gently as he could, Mitch stripped her clothes off and made sure the water was warm before he stepped into the shower holding his mate.
    Tessa never stirred the whole time he cleaned her and then dried her. He placed her in the center of his bed then climbed in and pulled her next to him. Mitch needed to feel her as close as possible. Her warm body pressed up against the length of his allowed him to relax for the first time since he had run off and left his mate standing alone against a tree.
    Even though his plan had worked, in hindsight, Mitch knew that if he had to do it all over again, there was no way he would ever put his mate up as bait again. Too many things had the potential of going wrong and had. Everything worked out this time, but he may not get as lucky next time. No, he would never do it again. As far as he was concerned, Tessa was going to be the safest mate in the world. Even if he had to quit his job and move to some remote, uninhabited place to make that happen.
    After a few hours had passed, Tessa’s moan broke him out of his thoughts and he brought his attention up to her face. “Come on, baby, open your eyes for me. Let me know you’re okay.”
    He waited and watched as her eyes shifted behind her lids before they finally cracked open a bit. His mate moaned and stiffened a little before her eyes finally widened and she gasped and sat up.
    “Hey, hey,” he said, pulling her to him. “Shh, you’re safe now. Everything is okay.”
    “Is he dead?”
    “Yeah, baby. You did really well. The rogue won’t ever bother you again.”
    “I killed him, didn’t I?” Tessa whispered.
    Mitch didn’t want his mate upset, but she needed to know the truth. He pulled her into a hug and rested her head on his chest, mindful of her wounds. “Yes, honey,” he sighed. “You killed him. You did what you had to do. There is no reason for you to feel guilty. As a matter of fact, you saved my life, so thank you.” When Mitch pulled away from her, he expected to see tears. What he didn’t expect was the fierce, determined look she gave him.
    “I’m glad I killed him, and I don’t feel guilty about it.”
    “You don’t?” Mitch frowned.
    “No. Why should I? I wasn’t actually trying to stab him when he jumped at me, but like I said I’m glad I did it. He was going to kill me and then possibly you. I didn’t want that to happen. Plus, I couldn’t do anything to help that woman in the park. At least this way, she got a little justice for her death.”
    “You have no idea how much I love you.” If he hadn’t already been in love with her, he would have fallen deeply at that point. Tessa was a true shifter’s mate. She was brave, loyal, and willing to do what it took to protect her own. He couldn’t have asked for better. His mate was perfect. Mitch leaned in to kiss Tessa, but she slapped her hand over her mouth, blocking his lips.
    “What’s wrong?”
    “I threw up out there. My breath is probably horrible,” she mumbled through her fingers.
    Mitch laughed. “Do you think I care? A little bad breath is not enough to scare me off. You’re stuck with me, mate, mine for eternity.”
    His mate shook her head back and forth, so he placed a peck on her forehead. “Go brush your teeth so I can thank you properly for saving my life.”
    He watched his mate slide out of the bed and stand on steady feet. She winked at him and headed toward the bathroom. Mitch watched her ass sway as she walked away from him and felt his cock harden. He couldn’t wait to show her all the ways he had come up with to show his appreciation.
     
    * * * *
     
    Tessa kept her eyes down as she brushed her teeth. She was too afraid to look up and see herself in the mirror. There was no pain,