Tish POV
Mae has the night off, but I have to work. I don't feel comfortable leaving her alone at the apartment after everything that has happened. Honestly, I am afraid I will come home, and she is gone. I have heard how strong the mate bond between werewolves can be.
Mae is the only person I have in my life. I lost my parents when I was young and bounced from foster home to foster home, never finding a place to settle down. It wasn't until I met Mae in nursing school that I finally felt like I had found my home. While the other students judged me for my lack of designer clothes. Mae took me under her wing. She helped me with my studies and introduced me to her family.
Mae was the angel I needed in my life, and now I risk losing her because some supernatural character comes into our lives claiming to be her mate.
I stand in the hallway just outside her door. She has been sleeping on and off all day. The bruise and cut on her face still look horrendous.
"At least let me do something about that cut on your face," I tap my foot impatiently.
"It's fine," Mae groans. "Just go to work."
"No," I huff and stomp to the bathroom to retrieve the first aid kit.
I return to Mae's bedroom and plop down on the bed beside her. "Roll over," I command her.
Mae groans loudly and rolls over. I cringe inwardly as I look at the cut across her cheek. I should have been here to protect her. I pull out the antiseptic spray and clean her wound. Mae hisses at me and lets a few cuss words fly.
"You really needed stitches," I tell her as I try to close her would with butterfly bandages. "I don't think this is going to keep you from scarring."
"What does it matter," Mae groans as she rolls back over when I am finished. "I don't have anyone to impress."
I sigh loudly. I hate it when she is down on herself like this. "There are plenty of guys who would love to date you if you would just leave the apartment once and a while."
"I'm good," she mumbles into the pillow.
"I know!" I exclaim. "Why don't you come to work with me tonight? You can hang out, drink for free, and check out the eye candy that comes into the bar."
"No, thank you," Mae replies. "I want to sleep."
"I don't feel comfortable leaving you here alone," I finally come clean. "I will worry about you."
"You don't have to," Mae turns back to me. "Kieran put so many locks on the door and cameras outside it is like Fort Knox in here."
I huff at the sound of his name, but I have to admit that he did a good job with the new door and all of the locks. Though, I will never admit that to Mae. I don't like him, and I don't trust their kind.
"We will probably never get our security deposit back now," I pretend to be annoyed.
"I will work overtime to cover it," Mae replies. "Go to work. I will be fine."
"Promise me that you won't open the door for anyone," I beg her. "Not even Kieran."
Mae snorts with laughter. "I don't think you have to worry about him coming back. I was less than kind to him when he left earlier."
"I hope you are right," I let slip.
Mae hops up in the bed and glares in my direction. "Why do you hate him so much? Because he fucked you in the bar and then never called?"
I am taken aback by her tone. She has never spoken to me like this before. "That's not the reason at all. I just don't trust their kind. That is all. Look at Jameson. He turned out to be nothing more than an abusive jerk."
"I am sure they aren't all the same," Mae says, and tears begin to well up in her eyes. "Kieran was kind and caring to me. Nothing like Jameson was."
"He's like that now," I practically shout at her. "What about when you finally give in? How do we know that he won't change?"
"Shouldn't that be for me to worry about? Not you?" Mae hisses at me.
I can't believe what I am hearing. Mae has never taken this tone with me before. We have always been a team. If one of us didn't trust the other's boyfriend, it was always up for discussion between us.
"I know this is none of my business," I backtrack. "I just want what is the best for you."
Mae gets to her feet, pushes by me, and storms into the bathroom leaving me alone in her room. I stand there stunned, not sure what to do next.
I step into the hall, and I can hear the water running in the shower. I try to open the bathroom door, but it is locked. My chest begins to grow tight with anxiety at the thought of losing Mae.
I knock on the door of the bathroom, but Mae doesn't answer me.
"Mae?" I call through the door, but she remains silent. "I am going to head to work. I will keep my phone on me. If you need ANYTHING, make sure you call me first. You and I can handle anything together."
I wait for a few seconds to see if Mae will respond, but she doesn't. I grab my keys off the counter and head for the door. Tears are prickling at the corners of my eyes, but I blink them away. I haven't cried in years, and I don't plan on starting now.
I swing the door open and see Kieran standing on the other side, mumbling under his breath. He looks up, and our eyes meet.
"What are you doing here?" I demand to know. "I thought Mae sent you away today."
"About that," Kieran scratches the back of his neck awkwardly. "I need to talk to you."
"What could you possibly have to say to me?" I spit at him.
"I need your help," Kieran almost chokes on the words.
"Well, you aren't getting it," I say as I shut and lock the door behind me.
"Please," Kieran says as he grabs my arm. "Just listen to what I have to say."
"I don't have time," I lie, checking my watch. "I am on my way to the bar."
"I'll come along," Kieran says desperately. "We can talk on the way."
I roll my eyes in his direction. "Whatever."