Chapter 25
Jericho and May finally left their self-imposed isolation a day later. Jericho was surprised that May's sister hadn't returned. He'd told May about her visit, and explained how she was reacting to May's existence. May had wanted to go to her immediately, but Jericho talked her into letting her have some time with other females. They would help her, and understand her in a way that May couldn't. She had been sad at that, her guilt spilling over to Jericho, who mentally punched himself. It wasn't May's fault that her mother had abandoned her baby to Mercile. May had done everything in her power to get her sister free, but he understood how difficult it was to spent your entire life behind bars and suddenly have freedom.
Tiger had called Jericho, telling him that they hadn't caught Roger Werner. The Task Force had fallen into his trap, and they had nearly lost Leo's mate, Petra, to a group of mercenaries who'd infiltrated the Wild Zone. Petra was fine now; home with Leo and convalescing. Growing babies, Tiger had said.
Jericho held tighter to May's hand, feeling anxious and exposed. With May, his heart was running around outside his chest. If anything happened to her…
He found himself glaring at other males as they walked by. They regarded May curiously, and some, with interest that was quickly banked when they heard Jericho's warning growl.
May looked over at him, her eyes squinting against the sun. Still, he could see that they were twinkling at him wickedly. She pulled at his arm, something Jericho was realizing was a habit of hers when she wanted him to hold her closely, "Are you jealous?"
"No," Jericho growled, lowering his head and nipping at her neck, "I am just warning other males that you are my mate."
May stood on her tip toes and reached up to his shoulders, "They will smell you on me," she whispered to him, "I didn't shower, remember?"
She had been about to get in the shower, but Jericho had pulled her out. He didn't think she would know why, but apparently she did.
"Jericho!" Tiger called to them, jogging over.
Jericho hissed warningly, stepping in front of May.
Tiger put his hands out, palms out, "Sorry!" he said, stopping, "you'd think I'd be better at understanding mate possessiveness."
"You would think," Jericho said under his breath.
May put her hand on his arm, squeezing his bicep.
"Now that you're out of seclusion," Tiger said, tearing another hiss from Jericho, "we would like for you to tell us how Roger Werner contacted you, and everything that led up to Fuller."
May nodded, but Jericho looked at her worriedly, "Are you sure, May?"
She had awoken from sleep two more times, crying out from nightmares. He didn't want her to relive anything that would cause her pain.
"You'll be with me?" she asked, as if the thought just occurred to her. She chewed her lip worriedly.
"Of course," he said, wrapping his arms around her and glaring at Tiger, who he decided was the source of her discomfort. He better tread carefully, because Jericho was feeling very very protective.