That got his attention. Tim snapped his gaze to meet David’s. “What?”
David grinned. “Can’t you feel it? Whatever the outcome of your bite, whether Seb becomes a wolf or not, you’ll be bonded.”
“I know that.”
“I’m pretty sure, considering how close we are to nightfall, that it’s already well underway.” He pointed at the empty space beside Seb. The king-size bed gave them plenty of room this time. “Go and lie down with him, close your eyes, and concentrate. I think you’ll be surprised.” He walked over to the door, but paused before leaving. “I’ll make sure you’re not disturbed unless absolutely necessary. You have the place for two nights, more if you should need it.”
If he doesn’t change.“Thank you.”
David waved him away. “What are big brothers for?” The door closed quietly behind him, taking all the outside noise with it. The soundproofing was excellent. All Tim could hear was inside the suite: Seb’s soft snores, the occasional drip of a tap in the bathroom, and the low hum of the electronic equipment connected to Seb.
He walked over to the bed, kicking off his shoes. A damp cloth lay on the bedside table, and Tim used it to wipe the sweat from Seb’s brow. He laid the back of his hand against Seb’s cheek—hot to the touch; still, Seb had the covers pulled up tight to his chin.
The fever had kicked in almost as soon as Tim had returned to Seb’s room. Seb had been in and out of consciousness as he and David gathered up his things and moved him to the suite.
Damn it, he’d never had a chance to warn Seb about what he was going to go through. Maybe Seb had spoken to Jared about it, Tim didn’t know, but he should have found time to talk to him, made sure Seb knew exactly what he was in for.
Tim brushed Seb’s hair away from his face and leaned down to kiss him. “I love you,” he whispered, then kissed him again before straightening up. After removing his jeans and draping them over a chair, Tim lifted the covers and climbed into bed beside him. Keeping to his own side so as not to disturb him, Tim lay on his back, closed his eyes, and tried to do what David had suggested.
He’d read about the effects of a bond, had talked to Nathan and Jared and a few others who’d been fortunate enough to experience it, and each one of them had described an awareness of the other person, a connection they felt deep inside.
At first, as Tim lay there, nothing felt different. A flare of panic threatened, seeping in at the edges, but Tim resolutely pushed it away. This wasn’t like Jared and Nathan’s case; Tim’s bond with Seb was a certainty, not a possibility.
Seb continued to snore softly next to him, and Tim slowed his breathing to match.
His limbs started to feel heavy, as though he was sinking into the mattress, and then he felt it… an awareness of something other than him. He couldn’t quite explain it, but it was there in the back of his mind, and it wasSebastian.
Tim’s breath caught, his fingers curled into the bottom sheet in an attempt to hold on to whatever was happening to him, tothem. For a good few seconds the bond flared between them, bright and wonderful, and then it faded to a faint background hum.
Tim opened his eyes and grinned up at the ceiling. He didn’t even care that it hadn’t lasted long, because the bond was still there, he felt it even now, and that one brief flash was the promise of what it would be. He rolled onto his side, startled to find Seb awake and watching him, albeit with half-lidded eyes. “Hey,” he whispered. He reached out to cup Seb’s cheek. “How do you feel?”
Seb moaned and closed his eyes for a second. “Hurts.”
“I know.” Fuck, Tim hated that there was nothing he could do to make Seb’s experience better.
Seb managed a dry chuckle. “I doubt that. You heal too quick to know how bad I feel.”
Well, maybe he has me there.“Fair point.”
“How much longer?” Seb put his hand over Tim’s and twined their fingers. “Thought my ribs ached before… but Jesus.” He yawned, taking a deep breath, and immediately winced. “Motherf—”
Tim kissed him, trying to take his mind off the pain. “Not much longer. A few hours.”
“Fuckin’ ages.”
Seb’s eyes were closed now, and Tim suspected he was about to drift off again. He quickly kissed him again. “Love you.”
“Mmm… you too,” Seb mumbled. Then his breathing evened out and he was asleep.
Tim watched him awhile, huge smile in place and their bond happily humming away at the back of his mind. He should probably try to sleep a little, the night was likely to be a long one, but he’d never felt less like closing his eyes.
As the minutes ticked by, their connection got stronger, binding them together. Tim had thought this would never happen for him, had almost come to accept it, but now that it was, he didn’t want to miss a second of it. He lay there, occasionally wiping Seb’s face with the cloth or soothing him when he whimpered in his sleep, waiting for Seb’s body to accept or reject the change.
Despite his best intentions and the pull of the moon, the gentle throb of the bond lulled him, and at some point he must have dozed off because he woke to hands carding through his hair and a soft kiss on his forehead.
“Time’s it?” Tim yawned and his jaw cracked.
Soft laughter greeted him. “Eleven fifteen.”
