"I'd really like that," Randal whispered. He'd actually love that. He hated living in the house he grew up in, mostly because he was terrified his father or brother would walk around every corner and attack him, but also because that was where his family had fallen apart after his mother passed away.
When Luca reached down toward his hand, Randal quickly turned his over. A shudder rippled through him when they clasped hands. "I can't believe I can finally touch you the way I want to."
"Just you wait." The piercing in Luca's eyebrows wiggled when he moved them up and down. "There's going to be a whole lot of touching soon."
"You know I've never—"
"I know, and I can't wait to show you everything you've been missing."
Randal couldn't wait either. He'd known he was gay since before his mother had died. He'd even had his first conversation about it with her. But after she died and his father lost his mind, Randal didn't even try and sneak out to try and meet someone. He knew his father would kill him if he ever learned about it.
"Come on, baby. Let's go talk to your alpha and cancel my appointments for the rest of the day. We've got a claiming to get to."
Randal eagerly followed behind Luca as they left the office and walked out into the reception area. His steps slowed though when he spotted Rob and Jeb standing by the front window. Even if he'd been allowed to stay in the clan and hadn't been killed, these two men were very imposing.
"Sir," Randal called out. "May we speak to you?"
"You can if you call me Rob," the alpha replied.
"Yes, sir...I mean Rob...sir."
Rob chuckled. "You'll get it."
Randal doubted it. "Luca wants to join the clan."
Rob glanced at Luca. "Is this true?"
"Yes," Luca answered simply. "Please."
"Do you accept me as your alpha, knowing that you will have to adhere to all of my rules as well as those set down by the shifter council?"
Luca straightened and looked the alpha in the eyes. "As long as I get to keep Randal as my mate, then yes."
Rob snorted before reaching out and scraping his claw along the back of Luca's neck. He brought his hand to his nose and sniffed the slight trace of blood on his finger. Randal swallowed tightly when the alpha leaned back. Now that Rob had accepted him, Luca's bond with the clan would only grow stronger.
"Welcome to the clan, Luca Buchanan."
"Thank you, Alpha," Luca said reverently.
Randal was so happy, he almost started jumping. "You're clan now."
"Now I just need to cancel the rest of my appointments for the day and then I can take you home and we can claim each other."
Randal couldn't wait.
"About that," Jeb said slowly. "You still owe me restitution for kidnapping my mate."
All of Randal's happiness slid away as he turned to look at the enforcer. "Yes, sir, I do."
There was no way he could deny the man's words.
"I know you regret what you did, but you still need to be punished. I can't let something like this slide or next time someone might try and kidnap the alpha mate."
"I understand that," Randal said as he edged in front of Luca, "and I'll accept whatever punishment you deem appropriate, but please leave my mate out of this."
Jeb's upper lip curled back in a show of anger. "Like you left my mate out of it?"
Randal winced. "Sir—" He snapped his lips together when Jeb held up his hand.
