Marcellus gave up the idea of working and shoved his laptop back into his bag. He eyed his phone that he’d laid on the tabletop. Okay, he needed some backup. He snatched up his mobile and scrolled through the contacts before his eyes landed on Malek's name. He pressed the button and shoved it against his ear.
"Marcellus." He heard Malek's grin through the phone. "How are you? Getting on with your mate? I didn’t expect to hear from you for a few days."
"I-I haven't talked to him yet."
"What?" He could almost see Malek’s raised brow. "Why the hell not?"
Marcellus glanced across the street. And there he was like he’d been conjured.
Wes stepped out of the museum and looked up and down the street as if he was searching for something. Marcellus’ heart raced. Was Wes looking for him? He had to have felt the pull, the desire, the connection that rose and flowed between them. Wes turned on his heels, sped up the steps, and slipped back into the building behind its glass doors and huge windows. He was visible for a while longer until he disappeared further back, and Marcellus lost sight of him.
"Marcellus?"
The alpha shook his head and came back to the phone call. "Yeah, I'm still here."
"I know that. I was asking why you haven't talked to him yet. He's your mate."
Marcellus leaned forward and watched the world go by through the glass pane in front of him. "I went over there, but then I got hit with that feeling."
"Mmmm. The pull." He heard the smile in Malek’s voice. “I know it well.”
Cellus nodded. "I didn't know it was going to be so strong”—he closed his eyes and conjured the feeling to the surface—”so absolute. I swear I’ve never felt anything like it, and even now, I can’t quite put it into words."
"I know what you mean, brother,” Malek said. “It's not something you can describe. You have to feel it. It was exhilarating, wasn't it?"
"Unlike anything I've ever felt." Marcellus swallowed thickly. "Me and my wolf both want to walk over there and claim him right now."
Malek laughed. "Don't do that. Just go over there and talk to him." He paused for a minute. "Trust me, you'll feel better when you actually speak to him."
"I'm being a bit of a wimp, aren't I?" Marcellus laughed.
"Yep!"
"Hey, don't agree, asshole!" He rolled his eyes at Malek. Not that he was surprised since they were always honest with each other. You had to be when your family was one of the few people that knew everything about you—that knew what you were.
Sometimes Cellus felt like he was playing dress-up. Not that his human half was a costume. It was as much a part of who he was as his wolf. But when everyone around him didn’t know, he felt like an impostor.
Malek’s chuckle brought him back. “Handle your business, brother. My mate doesn’t want to keep lying to his only brother not in the loop.”
Marcellus hung up. What a dick. He smiled. His brother had a point, though. He was acting like a kid. All that was left was shoving Wes and sticking his tongue out so he knew Cellus liked him.
His wolf snorted.You’ll have to get closer to him first.
The asshole was calling him a wimp now too.
Marcellus packed up his things and hiked his laptop bag over his shoulder. It was now or never. He paid the confused waiter once more and decided it would be best not to come back again before they called the gendarmerie. It was time to stop being a weird stalker and do what he came to do.
He crossed the street and walked up into the museum ready to talk to Wes. That was when the chaos hit him. Kids ran back and forth, shrieking and laughing. The teachers were outnumbered. While they tried to wrangle the kids, more of them took off. One of the teachers wasn't even helping. She watched the older kids laugh and yell over each other and laughed along with them.
It irritated Marcellus. Why wasn't she at least trying to help? Wes stood in the middle of the chaos. Marcellus moved forward, ready to help his mate. That was until Wes pushed two fingers between his lips and let out a long, loud whistle that echoed through the lobby. Everyone froze and stared at him. Even Marcellus paused and watched his mate.
"Alright, Mme Toussaints’ class is over here." He pointed in front of him. "And Monsieur Lacroix's class is here. Get in two orderly lines." When the children simply stared, he quirked a brow. "Let's move, guys!"
The spell was broken, and the kids skittered to their spots. Each of them kept their eyes on Wes as if awaiting the next instruction to be given. Marcellus was impressed. He watched his mate in awe as he moved around, assigning workers to the groups of overly hyper middle schoolers. He looked so in control and firm. Marcellus' heart throbbed. He couldn't wait another moment.
Marcellus crossed the room quickly until he stood right in front of Wes. He was so engrossed in what he was doing that he barely registered Marcellus standing there. It wasn’t until he shuddered that his head shot up to Marcellus. Their eyes locked, and the alpha felt the connection between them as it grew.
"Are you Wes Baines?"
