“Nix, are you sure your father is still alive? You’ve been away from home for a decade.” Any hope that the evil bastard might’ve passed away in the years since vanished at his mate’s next words.
“He’s still alive. I keep tabs on him. After our SEAL team was ambushed by the werewolves in Afghanistan seven years ago and turned, he was told I was dead—that’s what all our families were told. But my father has always been the suspicious type. Without my actual body, he’s asked a lot of questions, and the fewer answers he’s received the more curious he’s gotten.”
“That’s fucking scary, if you don’t mind my saying.”
“You’re telling me.” He squeezed Noah’s hand, staring deeply into his eyes, expression earnest. “Now do you understand why I’ve been so messed up about coming out? About claiming you openly, and about public displays of affection? I’m not afraid of loving you, Noah. I’m afraid of the consequences should that mangy excuse of a human being ever learn about you. He’d make good on every threat and not bat an eyelash in sympathy. I can’t let anything happen to you.”
“Nothing’s going to happen to me. Not only do I have you to protect me, but both of us have an entire Pack of wolf shifters, plus a Sorcerer and a Fae prince at our backs.” He grinned. “What could one human man possibly hope to accomplish against an army like that?”
“Well, when you put it like that, it sort of makes my fears sound stupid.” He shot Noah a wry smile.
“Not stupid at all. Caution is healthy, but when fear is allowed to take over your life? That’s a problem, my mate.”
“Yeah, well, that fear has had a lifetime to become a problem,” Nix said in disgust. Then he shook his head. “I don’t want to think about my old man anymore. In fact, we both need to get our minds off unpleasant stuff for a while.”
“I thought we just did?” Noah smirked.
“You know what I mean, you sex fiend.”
“Yeah, I do.” Cocking his head, Noah had an idea. “Say, why don’t we go for a walk before dinner? You can let your wolf out for a run and I can tag along, get some exercise.”
“Sounds fun, but are you sure you’re up to it?”
“Positive. Let’s go!”
“All right, but not for too long. I don’t want you to wear yourself out when you’re supposed to be recovering.”
“Hey, if I get worn out it’ll be for only the best of reasons.” His wink was met with a genuine laugh as they slid from the bed and got dressed.
All the way outside, it was all he could do to watch where he was walking when all he wanted to do was ogle Nix.
Now he understood his man so much better. His heart wept for what Nix had been through growing up with such a horrible father, and how it was hurting him even now. Well, Noah was going to do his best to change that. To help his mate get over his fears, show him how awesome life could be with the right person.
*
Nix decided to take his mate to the spot by the stream where he’d run the day before. Perhaps this time he wouldn’t need to perform solo. The idea had a smile forming on his face.
Me and a guy. Bondmates. And not just any guy, but Noah. A hot little number who’s as sweet as he is sexy. Who would’ve thought?
Sure, like he’d told Noah, he’d been with a few men. He’d known the very first time he’d given in to temptation why being with women had never quite done it for him. But those had been one-night stands. Furtive and fleeting, so no one—especially his father—would ever find out. He never expected to have a real relationship, out in the open, much less something permanent. Could he actually take that final step, sinking his teeth into his mate and binding them forever?
The knowledge of what his father would do if he found out chilled him to the bone. Every word he’d said to his mate was true—his father would take great pleasure in torturing Noah slowly before he granted him death.
Shaking himself, he pushed that image away and forced himself to focus on the positive. Noah filled a space inside Nix that he hadn’t even realized was desolate until they’d met. As much as he tried to rationalize his feelings as sheer lust, what they’d just done wasn’t fucking.
They’d made love.
Never had he experienced such deep satisfaction with another person. He could only imagine how much greater the gratification would be once they were true Bondmates.
Happiness was right there, his for the taking. Just a little longer, and he’d beat the fears that had dogged him since his adolescence. If only Noah would be patient a while longer.
As they crossed the expanse of lawn on the compound, before they reached the edge of the forest, Nix took his mate’s hand twining their fingers together. Weird, holding a man’s hand . . . but nice. Nix knew this was a big step for him, and from the look of surprise Noah shot him, his face flushing with pleasure, he knew it too. Such a small thing, and yet everything.