Riku chuckled. “Hey, Brownie. I was just about to head that way. Are you hungry?”
He was, actually. That took a backseat to his irritation.
“He is.” Yuri tugged on his pants. “Come on. Sit. I’ll fix you a plate.”
Riku stroked his hair as he claimed the chair Riku vacated. He was used to being treated like a pet, no matter his form. Brownie belonged to Lucifer and by extension Riku. Plus, he loved being caressed, so he was unbothered. Before he had time to greet his mate properly, Yuri was on his feet and walking away. He supposed to make him a plate as he had offered, but fuck. Brownie was aggravated. It had been a terrible day. He just wanted his mate.
“Why do you look angry?”
Brownie glanced Fen’s way at the question. He faked a smile. “I’m not angry. This is my face.”
Fen shook his head and looked away. He didn’t have time to question anything. Yuri returned with a plate and two beers. He kept one beer and sat. Yuri took a drink and didn’t look Brownie’s way. His irritation and fear spiked.
Why are you mad at me?
Even after the huge mental push to force his question on Yuri, Yuri didn’t look his way.Oh, am I allowed to speak to you now?
Fuck. He had been in the middle of tearing a demon to pieces when Yuri reached out to him earlier. Brownie had panicked at the thought of Yuri seeing him like that. He hadn’t meant to upset him.You’re always allowed. I’m your mate. Not your keeper. There are some places I don’t want you to see. That torture room is one. Please don’t shut me out.
Yuri looked his way. Anger flashed in his eyes, but he kept their conversation private.Oh. So you’re allowed to shut me out, but you don’t like it when I do it? Seems fair.
Brownie swiped his hand over his eyes. He wasn’t good at shit like this. Brownie loved Yuri. He didn’t want him exposed to the evil of his world. Hell, he already felt like he robbed Yuri of the moonlight and trees. He honestly had no idea why Celeste had chosen him for this. Yuri had to think this was more a curse than a blessing.
“You love me?”
The quietly spoken question had Brownie meeting Yuri’s gaze again. He looked blown away. Brownie hadn’t thought to guard his thoughts. Not only was he not used to Yuri listening, Yuri had shut him out all day. That made it harder to acclimate to sharing his mind.
“You know I do. It’s right there for you to see for yourself.”
Yuri gave him a sharp nod. “Eat. Your hunger is gnawing at me.”
Brownie shoveled food in his mouth. Honestly, he didn’t taste a thing. Yuri hadn’t returned the words, and he still kept Brownie mostly shut from his mind. He wished he was better. That was it. Just better. He knew he was a horrible mate. Brownie hadn’t thought he would ever be one. It didn’t surprise him at all that he sucked at it. He just wished Yuri didn’t have to suffer because of his shortcomings.
Hey.
Brownie looked Yuri’s way at the call.
Yuri smiled.I love you too. Stop scowling at everyone.The humor in Yuri’s eyes had Brownie’s shoulders relaxing.
“I missed you today.”
Yuri’s sweet smile was everything. “I missed you too.”
Brownie nodded toward the beer Yuri held. “Drink your beer so we can go home.”I want you to myself.
Yuri stood. “I’ll say our goodbyes to Frost.”
Brownie’s hungry gaze followed Yuri. Yuri was right. Brownie was starved, but it wasn’t for food. He had tasted something so much better. Now he couldn’t get enough.
A young wolf Fen didn’t know filled the seat beside him. He stared at the fire and ignored him. Fen assumed he simply took advantage of an empty chair. With Yuri and Brownie gone, there were two. The young one could bring a friend.
“He’ll never notice you, you know? Not really. All Yuri sees is the hellhound. Don’t ask me why. He’s not very handsome and probably abusive.”
Fen looked the guy’s way with raised eyebrows. He half expected to find him talking to someone else. The guy stared at him. Fen glanced behind him, checking to see if there was any possibility the comments had been meant for anyone else. When he saw there was no other option than him, he met the bright yellow stare that still waited for his attention. “Who are you?”
Humor flashed across the guy’s soft features as he held his hand out to shake. “Kyrie.”
Fen shook. “Fen. Why would I want to catch the attention of a mated wolf?”
