Page 18 of Marked By Love

It was obvious he’d fucked up—monumentally.

“My name is Royce Manchester. I’m thirty-six. Orphaned at twelve, I joined the North American Union Army soon as I was old enough. Then left the second the Union solidified, and I’d finished my contract. And I’m sorry. About the whole … kidnapping thing.”

The omega stared at him, his eyes cautious. “Does that mean I can leave?”

“No. I may not be going through a mating frenzy, but I’m not dumb enough to let my mate go to a cabin in the woods, at night, alone, when someone is hunting him. Listen, Doc. Maybe … maybe you can tell me who it is? I can do recon. I can search for them, put out the word to the other enforcers. We can set up a protection on the clinic so you and I can stay where you’re more comfortable.”

To Royce’s dismay, the omega shut down again and turned to glare at the wall.

“You don’t have to tell me the details, or what happened, but if I have a name, I can protect you better.”

No response.

His gaze fell back to the untouched plate of food. Was it not cooked to Doc’s liking? Perhaps he preferred his steak well-done? He shuddered at the thought of overcooking such a delectable piece of meat, but if that’s what his mate wanted, he’d put it back on the grill until it was the texture of shoe leather.

“Was there something wrong with the food?”

The omega glared at the plate and wrinkled his nose. Royce idly mused if Doc didn’t stop glaring at everything, he’d give himself a permanent headache.

“I didn’t put anything in it, if that’s what you’re worried about. How about this, you can come down to the kitchen with me and watch me while I cook. Then you’ll know I didn’t tamper with it. You can also tell me exactly how you like your food. Yeah?”

Royce was eager for the thought to take fruition. Having his mate with him in his kitchen while he cooked, the very notion of it made him giddy.

“I’m not hungry.”

“So, it’s a hunger strike?” He deflated.

“No!” the doctor snapped. “Not everything is about you, brute.”

“Did you eat at the clinic?”

“No. I don’t have an appetite, my stomach hurts. Even if it didn’t, I don’t eat meat.”

“You … what?”

“What? Never heard of a vegetarian before?”

“Seriously? You don’t eat meat?”

“I’m a vet. I refuse to eat my patients.”

“You get many pet cows?” Royce asked.

The doctor lifted his chin in a haughty angle. “Go find me a cow, I’ll give it an exam right now!”

Royce frowned. Right, they weren’t at the stage in the relationship for poking fun at each other.

“Okay, well, you can eat the potato?”

“It’s covered in butter.” Royce raised a brow in confusion. “I also don’t eat dairy … or eggs.”

“So, you’re vegan?” The fates had a sick sense of humor pairing a wolf shifter with a vegan.

“No,” Doc huffed. “I don’t eat meat, dairy, eggs. Vegans don’t eat honey and avoid several other items I don’t have issues with.”

“Your shoes?” Royce eyed the brown loafers on the omega’s feet.

“Are not real leather.”