Chapter Ten
“Your mate is a very interesting man, Dom.”
Dom snorted. Chay had no idea. Keeland was the most interesting man in the world, hands down. Dom knew he was probably biased because the man was his mate, but Keelandwasinteresting. He was smart and beautiful and kind. How could that not be interesting?
“He didn’t run from you,” Gabe said, “so that’s something.”
He might not have run, but he sure walked out fast enough. Only the knowledge that Keeland had invited him over for dinner, and told him to bring the kitten and an overnight bag, kept Dom from chasing after the man.
“I had every intention of mating him, but not like this.” Dom was still angry with himself.
“How did it happen, Dom?” Chay asked. “You’re usually very controlled.”
“We were…uh…busy, and I was kissing him and he tilted his head back and told me to bite him. I couldn’t stop it.”
Chay chuckled. “Yeah, I wouldn’t have been able to stop either. He practically invited you to claim him.”
“But he didn’t know what biting him would mean.” Dom still wasn’t sure he did. “I feel like he had no choice.”
That was probably what was bothering him the most. He wanted Keeland to choose him, not accept him because he had to.
“He should have had a choice.”
“You’re right,” Gabe said. “He should have. But that ship has sailed, and you need to work on the here and now. Keeland knows you two are mated, and he hasn’t run screaming for the hills. He needs a little time to wrap his brain around this, and who wouldn’t?”
“You did when you found out you were a shifter,” Chay pointed out. “It’s only fair that Keeland be given the same time to think things over.”
Dom couldn’t argue with that, no matter how much he wanted to. His anxiousness at Keeland leaving made his chest ache as if he had an elephant sitting on it. He reached down and rubbed it, grimacing. He didn’t like this feeling. He was positive it came from not knowing if Keeland would fully accept him, and it sucked.
“You okay there, bro?” Gabe asked.
“Yeah.” Dom dropped his hand. “I just wish this was a little easier.”
“You want some of Aldrik’s special tea?”
Dom shook his head. He hated tea. Granted, he'd grown used to drinking it over the last couple of months, but he’d much rather have a good shot of whiskey. “No, I think I’m going to take a shower, then head on over to the shop. Sitting here worrying isn’t going to do me any good.”
“The shop isn’t due to open for a few more hours, Dom,” Chay pointed out.
“No, I know. I figure I can get some paperwork done or something. We do have those two bikes that need to be done by the end of the week. I can always work on them.”
“Okay.” Chay nodded. “I’m going to get dressed and come with you. I don’t think you need to be alone right now.”
That’s exactly what Dom needed.
Chay quickly held up his hand. “Before you say anything, you need to know that your panther is going to be a little unstable until your bond with Keeland is cemented. If you think you feel crazy possessive right now, just wait. It’ll get worse the longer Keeland is out of your sight.”
