Suffering & Salvation by Kenzie James Celia Kyle

shelter and food and warmth, but most importantly, a kind and caring mate. One that was true and real, unlike anything she’d ever had with Malcolm. She swore, then and there, that she would never be a slave, not for anyone, ever again.

Chapter Five
     
    Cougar relinquished her hold, reminding Simi to stay alert, to protect herself against the brother, this Dean, if need be. Cougar didn’t trust him, not entirely, just yet. But if their mate did, shouldn’t she?
    Brand held her clothes, staring at her naked body, taking every inch of her in. But his gaze was warm and gentle, full of love and affection. And he never pushed her. She liked that. And though she had mixed feelings about it, he was also giving her time. To heal, to learn to trust again. Hopefully, to love again.
    Both clothed and out of the cold, they padded through the house, hand in hand. He touched her constantly, not intimately, but just enough to remind her that he was there.
    They entered the den, a comfortable place with huge couches that invited her to take a long nap wrapped in Brand’s arms. An enormous flat screen television graced one wall, broadcasting the day’s news. Simi listened to the reporter talking about an escaped bear and such, the zoo official making promises to never let this happen again, protesters calling for change, and then…then an image of Dean’s face filled the screen. She made out the title “Mayor,” in bold, white lettering, against a blue background on the bottom of the screen, just below his shoulders.
    The reason for Dean’s frustration from earlier sank in, and oddly enough, it sort of soothed Simi and Cougar. She understood why. Because he’d dealt with her mess, her kill, on a public and political level.
    She approached, sliding to the end of the couch closest to the chair that Dean occupied. “I’m sorry if I’ve caused you any trouble. He…” She bit her lip before she continued, “He left me with no choice. I defended myself. He would’ve…”
    Brand settled in next to her, arm around her waist and tugging her into his lap, pressing her head to his shoulder, his shirt absorbing her tears. “Easy, little one. Slow and easy. Tell us what happened. Dean is Alpha of Pack, so if you’re willing, I think he should know what happened.”
    “You haven’t told him?”
    “No, Simi. I wanted you to have the opportunity first.”
    She struggled, wanted out of his arms. It embarrassed her, shamed her and Cougar, how she’d allowed Malcolm to mistreat them for so long.
    Brand tightened his hold, not letting her flee. “I know, I know what you think, but it’s not true. It’s not your fault. I don’t know what that shifter did to you, but look, you survived it, whatever it was. That’s what matters the most.”
    “I also think that the dead body of that shifter in the shelter also matters just a little bit.” Dean’s sarcasm was hard to miss. Brand growled at his brother, a sound she’d only heard once before, when they’d fought Bear.
    Dean threw up his hands. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. The stress of this re-election…damn it…everything’s just getting to me right now.” He sighed and slumped into the chair. “This peanut gallery’s listening and will keep his mouth shut, okay, Simi?”
    She nodded and laid her head back on Brand’s shoulder, closing her eyes, letting memories that she’d buried long ago resurface, apologizing to Cougar before she pulled the images from their mind. “Bear’s name was Malcolm Hastings.” She furrowed her brows. “My parents introduced us when I was fourteen. He was sixteen then. I guess we flirted some, like kids often do. But before I knew it, my parents forced me to spend an inordinate amount of time with him. It wasn’t long after that he told me we were mates.” She smoothed her palm over Brand’s chest when Wolfie growled, soothing him. She frowned and breathed deep, adding, “My parents sent me off with him when I turned sixteen, I think. And