“Ha!”
Stepping into the sunshine, they spent a few minutes drying off. Then Nix handed his mate his clothes. Once Noah was dressed again, Nix shifted to wolf form for the walk back through the forest to retrieve his own clothes. It was much more comfortable than padding naked as a human through the brush.
At last they reached the spot where Nix had left his clothes, and he shifted back. When he’d dressed, they walked together back to the compound. He hated to see their romp end, but was confident there would be many more like today.
“Shower?” he asked Noah.
“Yes. A hot one!”
“We can do that.” Smiling, he took Noah’s hand and led him across the compound’s lawn.
Aric, Jax, and their mates, Rowan and Kira, were outside talking, along with Micah and Nick. At the sight of the newest couple emerging from the forest, rumpled and obviously together, the group smiled at them, waving them over.
“Oh boy.” Noah glanced at him with worry. “You up for this?”
“I’m not ashamed of you.” But still, he let go of Noah’s hand, and his mate’s face fell. Shit.
“I know you’re not ready for the inquisition. It’s okay.” But Noah’s tone and expression betrayed his disappointment.
“Come on, let’s go see what they want.” With a wink, he walked with Noah over to their friends.
“Sooo,” Aric drawled, taking in the sight of them. “You guys look kind of disheveled, if ya know what I mean. Do I need to ask what’s going on?”
“You can ask,” Noah answered with a grin. “Doesn’t mean you’re going to get any details.”
“Are you two officially mated?” the redhead pressed. The question immediately earned him an elbow to the ribs from his own mate, who scowled at him fiercely.
“That’s none of our business!” Rowan said.
“You’re kidding, right? Everybody here knows everybody else’s business,” he grumbled, rubbing his side.
“Well, it’s rude to just blurt out such a personal question.”
“Where have you been living?” Aric cracked. “You know we don’t have many boundaries here.”
“Um, guys?” Nix interrupted. “This group is nothing if not the nosiest bunch I’ve ever known. Noah and I are still working things out. But we’re headed in the right direction, and that’s all I’m going to say for now.”
“Wow,” Micah said with a smile. “That’s good news. Congrats.”
Jax nodded. “Same here.”
Nick was the only one who wasn’t looking pleased as punch. In fact, he had that sort of spaced-out look that happened whenever—crap, he was having a vision. The problem with that was, Nick’s PreCog abilities rarely boded well for anyone around him.
When the commander blinked and came back to himself, he addressed the others. “Can I have a word alone with Nix and Noah?”
“Sure thing,” Aric said, casting their boss a wary look.
The others echoed the sentiment and everyone left with promises to meet for dinner.
“What’s going on?” Nix asked.
The commander glanced around, apparently making sure nobody was within hearing range before he spoke. “You both need to hear this. You two are headed for some really rough road together. Soon.” He paused. “The Voodoo Priestess, do you remember her? From when you were on leave in New Orleans?”
A chill of foreboding shot straight down Nix’s spine, followed by ice. “How could I forget?” He didn’t ask how Nick knew—the man was a Seer. When past connected with present, he could “see” what he needed to.
“She told you something vitally important about your special ability—not as a wolf shifter, that came later. But the one you were born with. Your Psy ability. You remember?”
“Yes,” he said in a shaky voice. “Jesus, you’re scaring me.”
“Listen. Explain to Noah about your gift. Make him understand, and I mean really understand how vitally important it is that he trust you one hundred percent. That he believes in you and what you tell him. If he doesn’t, all will be lost.”
“I . . . okay.” He raked a trembling hand through his hair. “I’ll tell him now.”
“Good. Don’t waste any time. Treasure every second you have together, because catastrophe is headed your way and I can’t stop it.”
“What’s going to happen?” he whispered. Noah edged close, tucking himself into Nix’s side.
“I don’t know, exactly,” he said with real regret. “Only what I’ve told you. Both of you remember what I said, and you’ve got a chance.”
“All right. Nick, thank you.”
“Sure. And if there’s anything else I can do to help you both, you know I will.” Clapping them both on the shoulder, he turned and left them standing there.
Noah hesitated a beat before turning to his mate. “What in the actual fuck was that about?”