Steven went limp. The images, voices, and pain were too much. His mind couldn't handle the onslaught. It was fracturing. And then everything went silent. At first Steven thought he had passed out. But he was still wide awake. Yet the garbled mess in his head was gone.

He heard a loud roar. It sounded inhuman and close. Leonardo and Nate released Steven. He hit the floor hard. The cool linoleum was welcome feeling against his heated skin. Steven curled into a ball, shivering. He barely registered Leonardo and Nate racing out the back door. His body hurt. His skin felt as if a thousand bees were stinging him at once.

Steven didn't care in that moment if he was crying. It didn't matter to him that he was shaking so badly that his muscles began to spasm. He didn't even register when the bear appeared before him and then suddenly Colten was there. The man was naked as he knelt next to Steven, making soothing, shushing sounds.

"I'm going to get you out of here." Colten's voice was little more than a whisper. His dark eyes were filled with agony as he continued to make those comforting sounds. "Will it hurt if I touch you?"

Steven couldn't form the words to respond. All he could do was hug himself tighter, his knees pressed hard into his chest. The tears continued to flow as his teeth chattered loudly.

Colten cursed and then said, "I'm so sorry if this hurts you." The man scooped him up into his arms, pressing Steven into his warm, solid chest. Steven burrowed deep, trying to steal the man's heat. He was so cold. So goddamn cold.

Steven heard a door slam and tried to burrow inside Colten's body. He didn't want Leonardo or Nate to return. All he wanted to do was go home.

"Easy, baby. It's just Shott. No one is going to hurt you."

Easing back slightly, Steven looked around Colten to see Shott stride into the Laundromat. He had a look of purpose in his eyes as he headed toward them. Steven ducked back down and buried his face into Colten's bare chest.

"Is he hurt?" Shott's voice was filled with vehemence.

"I'm not sure," Colten replied. "By the time I called you and then shifted back and made my way through the front door, they were both grabbing him." Colten shook his head. "It didn't look like they were doing anything to him, but Steven was screaming as if they were stabbing him."

"It has to be touch then," Shott said. "Contact isn't good for Steven."

"But he doesn't seem to hurt when I touch him," Colten said. "He has to be my mate. There's no other explanation."

Steven lay there listening, still in agony, still feeling as if his nerves had been stretched beyond their capacity. He was tired. So damn tired. He could barely keep his eyes open even though he was in tremendous pain.

"Let's get him home," Shott said. "We can assess him there."

"Grab his stuff from the washer," Colten said.

"I'll grab one of the other guys and pick up your truck once we get Steven back to the house," Shott said.

Colten nodded as he walked outside with Steven still in his arms. Through his muddled mind, Steven wondered how in the hell the man could carry him. But that was the least of his concerns. His parents had not only put a contract out on him, but he'd been found.

Steven had to get out of town before Leonardo and Nate tried again.

"I've never seen anything like it," the doctor said as he shook his head. "Strangest thing ever. As far as his physical health, he's fine. I'm sorry, Colten. But the brain isn't my area of expertise. I would recommend rest"-he shrugged-"but I have no idea what he really needs."

Colten thanked the doctor and then walked into his bedroom, closing the door quietly behind him. Steven was lying in Colten's bed, curled up just like he'd been in the Laundromat. His eyes were closed and the guy was still shaking, although it had eased some.

Colten would never understand some men's instincts to victimize and torture. He knew there were moments in life where violence was necessary to save lives. But going after innocent people was something Colten could never comprehend. That was as foreign to him as the ability to breathe underwater.

In his life and line of work, Colten had slowly come to the realization that there were people who added goodness to the world and people who lived to destroy it. In his mind, the decision to protect an innocent man like Steven from psychopaths like Leonardo and Nate was as clear as black and white-a simple choice.

Crawling into the bed, Colten pulled Steven into his arms and held him. He used his feet to toss the blankets up to him and then covered them both. Steven was cold to the touch and Colten was worried about the man. He wasn't sure what had happened when Leonardo and Nate had touched Steven, but it hadn't been good.

When Steven stirred and then opened those beautiful pale-blue eyes, Colten became lost in them. They were like blue fire as Steven lay there watching Colten. The moment stretched on and Colten wondered what Steven was thinking. He tried to get back into the guy's mind, but it was closed to him.

"That bear was you," Steven stated. He shook his head slightly. "How?"

"I told you impossibility was my specialty," Colten replied. "I can shift into a bear just like you can read people's minds. Unexplainable but still possible."

"I can't read yours," Steven confessed. Colten grew quiet, his gaze steady on Steven's face. One of Stephen's eyebrows was arched perfectly. "But I heard you in my head when you were a bear."

"And I've caught one of your thoughts here and there," Colten said. "Mind telling me how all this works?"

Steven uncurled his body and turned away. When he tried to get up, Colten grabbed the man's wrist. "I think it's time you stop running, Steven."

He shook Colten's hand off and stood. The guy looked so lost, so alone. Colten knew those feelings all too well. They had been his constant companions when he was growing up. He slipped from the bed and walked around until he was standing in front of Steven.

"You don't have to be alone anymore," Colten said as he reached out and slid their fingers together. "But I need to know who you're running from."

"It's not that easy," Steven quietly argued. "What was done to me, the people after me, it's all too complicated and dangerous."

Colten squeezed the man's fingers before he pulled Steven even closer. He tilted the man's head back until they were staring into each other's eyes. "I specialize in danger. I've lived it, worked it, have been in more dangerous situations than I care to count."

Hope filled Steven's eyes. For a moment, Colten thought the man would confess all. But Steven shook his head and turned away. "I have to leave. I brought my problems to this ranch and the last thing I want to do is get you or your friends involved."

Colten gritted his teeth at the man's stubbornness. "You can't run for the rest of your life. Sooner or later you're going to have to take a stand. Why not take it now when you have me and everyone else in this house willing to stand at your back?"

Steven yanked his hand away from Colten's and paced across the room. He tunneled his hands through his autumn-colored hair in an aggravated gesture. "Don't you get it? There's a baby in this house. Your friends don't have a stake in this and I'm not willing to jeopardize their lives." Steven paced closer. "I'm not willing to jeopardize your life."

"You're not leaving," Colten stated bluntly.

Steven's eyes widened. "You can't force me to stay here. That's kidnapping."

"Then call the cops."

Colten watched as Steven's eyes darted toward the door. "I don't get you, Colten. Why do you care? You don't even know me. Why would you risk helping me?"

"Because I was once like you."

Steven let go of a bitter laugh. "I highly doubt that. You have no idea what I've been through or why I'm willing to run for the rest of my life."

"You're right," Colten said with a quick nod. "I have no idea what you've been through. But emotionally, we're not that different. You long to belong somewhere. Something deep inside of you is craving for someone to say that they care."

Steven bit his lip and turned away. Colten didn't like to think about his past, of his life as a street urchin. The lonely nights. The hunger pains. The prayers he had sent up for a better life, for just one person to care about him. Even after joining the service and meeting the men he now called friends, there was still a part of Colten that was missing. There was still a part of him that yearned for someone he could call his own.

He moved closer to Steven. "You wish that just one person would give a rat's ass about you."

Steven's face morphed into anger as he balled his fists at his sides. "Shut up!"

Yes, there was anger on the man's face. But Colten could also see the heartache and despair etched in fine lines. "Why won't you let one person in?"

"Don't compare yourself to me," Steven said furiously. "Don't you dare think that you can relate to me. When your very own parents have betrayed you, then we can talk."

Colten gave a low, humorless chuckle. "Sweetheart, how the fuck do you think I ended up on the streets at the age of ten? My father was a career criminal and didn't have time for me. My mother's new husband didn't want to have children. She suddenly forgot she had a son who loved her with all his heart. I came home one day after school to an empty apartment." Colten gritted his teeth at the memories. "Is that betrayal enough for you?"

"I-" Steven shook his head. "How could you trust anyone after that?"

"You meet a group of friends who refuse to let you push them away. You meet people who love every fucked-up thing about you." Colten sighed. "You take the scariest step in your life, Steven."

"Which is?" Steven asked.

Colten closed the distance and pulled Steven into his arms. "You open yourself up and give your trust to another person."

"Why doesn't it hurt when you touch me?" Steven whispered as Colten enveloped the man. "My mind is quiet when you're around."

Colten winked. "Because you...me...us-we were meant to be." He placed his hand over Steven's heart. "Because I belong in here."

Steven used the palm of his hand to wipe a stray tear away. "Please don't be lying to me. I don't think I can take it if one more person betrays me."

"I've tasted the bitterness of betrayal." Colten coaxed Steven to rest his head against Colten's chest. "I would never make you drink from that cup."

Steven slid his arms around Colten's waist and held onto him so tightly that Colten felt as if he had found that missing piece of himself. He breathed Steven in. Cinnamon and apple cider. The scent was warm, inviting, and made Colten feel as if, for the first time in his life, belonging to someone special was within his reach.

Chapter Eight.

The sensation of having Colten's body wrapped around him was like nothing Steven had ever experienced before. They might have fooled around in the stables, but this was different. It felt different. Steven wanted to trust Colten. He wanted to believe that Colten was telling him the truth.

A child should be able to trust his or her parents. They were the anchor, the rock, the safety net that no child should be without. If you couldn't trust your parents, then who could you trust? In Steven's mind, being hurt by a parent was the worst sort of betrayal.

And here Colten stood, asking for something Steven couldn't even give his own mother and father. Colten was a virtual stranger. Yet, he didn't feel like one. He calmed Steven's mind and gave him a peace he hadn't felt his entire life.

"I'm afraid," Steven admitted.

"I know," Colten replied. "But I trusted you enough to let you see my bear. Can you trust me with your secret?"

Steven felt the heat under his skin as he leaned back and narrowed his eyes at Colten. "I poured my heart out to you."

Colten chuckled as he ran his fingers through Steven's hair. The touch was light but it set off an electrical storm that raced through Steven's blood and set him on fire.

"Trust me. I have no mate or cubs and you are not slim pickings." Colten's other hand began to slide down Steven's back and lingered just above his backside. "As far as you not tasting good"-Colten pressed a kiss to Steven's neck-"I'll be the judge of that."

Colten kissed the skin below Steven's ear. It was a mere brush of his lips, but Steven felt branded. The man turned his head and took possession of Steven's mouth. Steven traced the definition of Colten's muscles, sliding his hands over the man's body as if Colten belonged to him.

"I do," Colten said into Steven's mouth. "I belong to you mind, body, and soul."

Steven didn't ask how the man knew what he was thinking. He just smiled at the thought as Colten plunged his tongue into Steven's mouth. Steven let go of a long moan as Colten slowly lowered him to the carpet. When Colten pulled his head back, the man's eyes were clouded with passion.

"I want you, Steven," Colten said. "But I can't take you until you know everything."

"I don't understand," Steven said as he tried to focus on the conversation and not on how good Colten felt under his hands. He didn't want to talk. Steven wanted them both naked so he could feel Colten's body sliding over his, taking possession of him.

But Colten didn't answer him. His hand was sliding down Steven's side as Steven caught images of the little girl, Sophia. He didn't understand until he saw another image of Gabe...pregnant? Steven pulled back, his eyes searching Colten's.

Colten brushed Steven's hair aside and Steven swore he saw yearning in those obsidian depths. This man longed for a family. He wanted Steven to give him one. Steven tried to swallow but his throat had gone dry. "How is that even possible?"

Colten brushed his hand over Steven's flat abdomen. "I want to see you swollen with my child. I want a life with you, Steven. A life that includes children, laughter, and love."

"Whoa." Steven pressed his hands into Colten's chest. "Put the brakes on, buddy. I think we're moving a little too fast here."

Steven shuddered when Colten nipped his chin. "Have you ever heard of mates?"

Steven nodded.

Dipping his head, Colten nuzzled Steven's neck and inhaled deeply. "You smell like cinnamon and apple cider."

"And I think you've been drinking some spiked cider." Steven gazed up at Colten who was hovering over him. He wanted desperately to pull the man down to him, but Colten had just delivered an eye-opening blow.

Colten kissed his jaw. "When a bear mates, it's for life. We can't go on scent alone. Sometimes it's misleading. But my bear wants you desperately. I want you."

"And"-Steven shook his head, unsure if he believed the earlier vision-"the pregnancy thing?"

Colten reached between them and squeezed Steven's erection. Steven gasped as his body arched into the man. His pulse was racing, his cock was throbbing, and all Steven wanted was to feel Colten inside of him.

"Pregnancy is the only sure way to know if you are my mate," Colten answered. He pressed his lips to each of Steven's eyelids. "I would never betray or abandon you. We both know what that's like. Give me a child and I'll give you a life of happiness."

"But you can't promise that to me. No one can promise a happy life," Steven argued, although Colten was offering Steven the one thing he was desperate for. All he wanted was normalcy-to live a life without pain, without seeing others' thoughts and memories. The only time his mind was quiet was when he was with Colten.

Colten growled and pinned Steven's hands above his head. "I told you, sweetheart. Impossibility is my specialty. All couples have problems. But I can guarantee you'll never regret being with me."

Steven searched the man's face and saw nothing but stark truth. Whether Colten could deliver or not, the man wholeheartedly believed in what he was saying. But Steven was terrified to put such faith in one man.

"Just one person," Colten said. "Just trust one person."

He had to be a fool, but he believed Colten. Steven honest-to-goodness believed the man. He desperately wanted what Colten was offering. Steven didn't want to run anymore. He didn't want to look over his shoulder for the rest of his life. He wanted to set down roots and live a simple life.

With a fortifying breath, Steven said, "I trust you."

Colten's dark eyes seemed to glow as a smile spread across his face. The man's fingers slid over Steven's abdomen. "You'll never regret it."

Steven prayed that he never did. He wrapped his legs around Colten's thick waist and ground his erection into the man's stomach. His skin was ultrasensitive, his body begging for release.

Hands whispered over his sides before Colten grabbed the hem of his shirt and pulled it over Steven's head. He tossed the material aside. Steven did the same, pulling Colten's shirt free. Steven explored the man's skin with his hands. He traced them over Colten's biceps, broad shoulders, strong pecs, and rigid abdomen.

"That's right, baby. Get to know every inch of my body." Colten's hands were on either side of Steven's head. The man didn't move. Steven could feel Colten trembling beneath his fingers, but the guy just hovered above him, letting Steven take his time. He sucked in his bottom lip and grinned as he pinched both of Colten's nipples.