“If he can’t stay away from me, how come I haven’t seen him the past few days?” Ro was as surprised at Alfie when that question came out of his mouth. He also realised that he had just admitted to noticing that Mikhail wasn’t there.
“Trust me, he’s been there.” Alfie had a knowing smile on his face that Rowan wasn’t sure how to take.
Six
Mikhail
Mikhail knew he shouldn’t be listening in on the conversation taking place, and he really hadn’t been spying on his mate after talking to Axel and Malek—although mostly Axel since his brother was basically enjoying watching Mikhail squirm.
“Are you going to stand there all day?” Malachi’s voice behind him startled Mikhail so much he almost yelped. But he managed to get himself together.
“Fuck off, Chi.” Mikhail pushed Malachi away from the reception room where both their mates were.
They ducked into the formal living room across the hall so they could talk without being overheard.
“Stalking your mate, huh?” His brother’s face was teasing.
“I wasn’t stalking. I was simply checking up on him to—”
Malachi interrupted him before he could finish. “I think the definition of stalking is somewhere in there. Checking up… following without permission… Why, brother, I do believe that is what you’ve been doing.” Chi put an arm around his shoulder, but Mikhail immediately shrugged it off.
“You’re an ass,” Mikhail hissed at Chi. His brothers were enjoying watching him squirm, the fuckers. Lucky sods were mated, so they couldn’t feel his pain.
“I’m joking, bro. I can imagine how you feel. I only spent a day away from Alfie after I found him and it was hell. I can’t imagine what I would have done if it had been three.”
Mikhail faced his brother and the teasing look in his eyes was replaced with one of compassion.
“It’s me... he hates me.” Mikhail realised he sounded like a whiny teen, but he couldn’t seem to stop himself. “It would be different if he didn’t understand that we are shifters or what fated mate means, but he does, and he’s rejected me.”
“Has he, though?” Malachi asked. “Have you even spoken to him? I think maybe there’s more to the story.
Okay, so, yeah, so did he, especially after his unintentional eavesdropping.Yeah, likethatwas a thing. You could have stepped away or made your presence known, a voice in his head supplied.
“I was actually planning to ask him to go for a walk with me.”
“By hiding out and watching him,” Malachi teased, brow raised, “Is he supposed to hear your thoughts? Good plan bro.”
“Fuck off, you wanker. I was waiting for the right time… didn’t want to interrupt while he’s spending time with his brothers.” Mikhail knew that sounded like an excuse, even to his own ears.
“And how long haven’t you wanted tointerrupt?” Malachi did air quotes on interrupt.
“What if he doesn’t like me?” He couldn’t meet his brother’s gaze because even to his ears he sounded like a schoolgirl moaning to her best friend at a sleepover.
“Just talk to him. You won’t know until you speak to him.” Malachi put a hand on his shoulder. “I think he’s more scared than anything. Maybe you need to show him that you’re someone he can trust.”
“How do I even start that conversation?” Mikhail looked in the direction where he could still hear his mate’s voice.
“Maybe try starting with ‘Hey.’” Malachi’s voice was back to glib. Clearly, he was done being helpful. “Plus, a walk, maybe to the lake, could be romantic.” His brother said that in a singsong voice.
“You’re an idiot,” Mikhail snapped at Malachi and punched his brother’s arm hard.
“Ouch,” Malachi bent over. “You need to get mated so you can take out all that energy on your mate.”
“Do you think I’d rather spend time with you instead of my mate?” Mikhail considered hitting his brother again. It had made him feel slightly better.
“Seriously, though,” Chi started. “Maybe don’t start with mating. Maybe start with just getting to know each other.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right. Might as well begin with actually having a proper conversation with him. Should be a good place to start.”
