His Plump Mate (by Buchanan) novel Chapter 9

**Rebel POV**

The events of last night unfolded in ways I could never have anticipated. It’s astonishing how a single evening can alter the trajectory of your life, striking you with an intensity akin to whiplash. I found myself trying to articulate to Austin the confusion swirling in my mind regarding the concept of mind linking and what it truly meant to sever that connection. His incredulous gaze lingered on me, as if he struggled to comprehend the reality of my ignorance. Yet, despite my uncertainty, he took the time to guide me through the intricacies of the mind link. It was surprisingly intuitive, almost reminiscent of conversing with Roxie. He patiently demonstrated how to close off our links and how to reach out to others in our pack.

When he suggested waking Renz, I hesitated, guilt gnawing at me for disturbing him at such an ungodly hour. Yet, when I did rouse him, Renz merely appeared groggy rather than annoyed. Austin’s patience was a balm to my frayed nerves; I couldn’t help but feel grateful that he refrained from expressing frustration or raising his voice.

Now, as I lay cocooned in the warmth of the bed, I had lost all sense of time. The room felt snug, and I could feel Austin’s arm encircling my waist, holding me securely from behind. It was the first time in what felt like an eternity that I experienced such a profound sense of safety and warmth. ‘Our mate is a protector. A sexy protector. So manly!’ Roxie purred, her voice a sultry growl in my mind. She was thoroughly reveling in the comfort of our mate’s embrace. ‘Don’t even pretend you aren’t enjoying this too, Rebel,’ she teased, flooding my mind with vivid images of Austin’s broad shoulders and powerful arms. I sighed contentedly, sinking deeper into his hold, when suddenly, I felt something pressing against my back.

“Darling, if you keep squirming like that, I’m going to lose all control. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to restrain myself with that perfect little ass wiggling against me,” he murmured, his voice thick with sleep. A jolt of awareness shot through me, and I stiffened, a rush of heat flooding my cheeks. The thought of him losing control sent a wave of desire coursing through me, compelling me to squeeze my thighs together in response. Surely, he could detect my arousal from the way my body reacted to his words, but I found myself powerless to resist. Was this the mate bond at work? I couldn’t be sure.

I heard him inhale sharply, his grip on me tightening. “Fuck, Rebel!” he exclaimed, flipping me onto my back and leaning in closer. “You are going to be the death of me.” He captured my wrists, pinning them above my head, and I gasped as his lips crashed against mine. This kiss felt different from the one we shared last night. The slow build-up had been replaced by an urgent intensity, as if he were desperate to connect with me. My body responded instinctively, melting under the heat of his kiss. A soft moan escaped my lips, and I could sense his approval in the low growl that rumbled against me. Gradually, his hand slipped down to my breast, his fingers brushing against my sensitive nipple, eliciting another involuntary moan. I had never experienced anything like this in my life.

Far too soon, he pulled away, breathing heavily against my neck, sending delightful shivers racing down my spine. I was astounded by how deeply someone could affect me. “Damn it, I want you right now, Rebel. I plan to mate and mark you very soon, but first, you need to eat, and we really need to talk,” he declared, his voice low and serious.

“Um, I would like to shower, but I, uh, don’t have any clean clothes,” I stammered, feeling a fresh wave of heat wash over my cheeks.

His expression shifted, and it was as if he suddenly remembered that I had left everything behind, stepping into this new life with nothing but the clothes on my back. He rose from the bed and retrieved a pair of gym shorts and a t-shirt from his dresser, handing them to me with a soft smile. “We’ll go shopping later today and get you everything you need, but for now, this will have to do. The gym shorts have a drawstring you can tie up,” he explained.

I accepted the clothes and followed him to the bathroom. “Everything you need is in here, but we’ll also shop for your essentials later. Or perhaps I’ll send you with Lacy. She’s Renz’s mate and my beta female,” he suggested, his tone casual.

“Thank you,” I replied, stepping closer and attempting what I thought was a bold move by standing on my tiptoes to plant a quick kiss on his lips. Just as I pulled away, he wrapped his arms around my waist, growling appreciatively as he deepened the kiss before releasing me. “Careful, darling. I’m barely hanging on by a thread,” he smirked, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Do you need help turning on the shower?”

I glanced at the shower, a marvel of modernity compared to anything I had ever seen. Back home, I had to wait until everyone else showered, often making do with lukewarm or even cold water. Here, the controls were a complex array of buttons and an electronic pad. “Some help would be appreciated. I’m not used to pressing buttons to take a shower,” I admitted, a hint of embarrassment creeping into my voice.

“I figured as much,” he chuckled, stepping in to show me how to operate the controls and adjust the water temperature. He instructed me to mind link him when I was dressed and ready to join him for breakfast.

As soon as he left, I wasted no time shedding my clothes. Just as I stood naked, I heard a brief knock followed by the door swinging open. My eyes widened in shock as Austin re-entered, towels in hand, only to drop them to the floor upon seeing me in my vulnerable state. His gaze darkened, and I squealed, quickly covering myself with the shirt he had given me. My cheeks burned with embarrassment, and I could sense his low growl of disapproval at my attempt to hide. But I couldn’t help it; I felt so exposed, so unsure of myself.

“Austin?” I called out, my voice barely above a whisper. He continued to stare at me, his expression a mix of desire and restraint. Then, he closed his eyes, clearing his throat as if to regain his composure. “You are absolutely gorgeous, Rebel,” he said, his voice thick with longing, his eyes still shut as if he were trying to suppress the urge to step closer. I heard him inhale deeply before slowly opening his eyes, his teeth clenched, a visible struggle etched across his features. “I’m sorry for barging in. I just wanted to bring you some towels. I’ll leave them on the sink,” he said abruptly, turning on his heel and exiting the room as quickly as he had come. I thought I heard him mutter “fuck me” just as he closed the door behind him, but the sound was drowned out by the rush of water.

Regardless, I didn’t waste any more time. I craved a long, hot shower. It had been so long since I had even enjoyed a warm bath, let alone a hot shower. I moaned in delight as the water cascaded over my skin, its warmth soothing my body. I took my time, allowing the water to wash away the remnants of my old life. When my fingers began to wrinkle, I reluctantly decided it was time to step out. I grabbed a towel, dried off, wrapped my hair up, and slipped into the clothes Austin had given me. I then began searching for a brush to tame my hair, toothpaste to freshen my mouth, and my backpack, knowing I had packed some hair ties just in case. Once I felt somewhat presentable, I stepped out of the bathroom and mind linked Austin.

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