"You both have to top and bite in order for it to work."
"I don't have teeth to bite like that. It would hurt Randal if I tried to bite him."
Rob smirked. "I think it depends on what you are doing when you bite him."
Okay, that part was true.
"Will it still work if I'm human?"
Rob's brow furrowed. "You know, I don't actually have an answer for that question. We should talk to Alpha Kersey about that."
"Why are you telling me this now?"
"Because, if you're ever separated from Randal in the future, and you are double bonded, you can just ask him if he's okay, and if there is a problem, you can contact him or vice versa. If Erik hadn't convinced Jeb to come get Randal, who knows how long he would have lain here, bleeding all over the place."
Yeah, Luca owed Erik big time for that.
Chapter Seven
The first thing Randal was aware of was the warmth pressed against one entire side of his body. He was afraid to move, to acknowledge that warmth just in case someone was watching him. Raymond liked to lull him into a false sense of security and attack when his guard was down. It was kind of his signature move.
He should have remembered that, but in his excitement over being allowed to mate Luca, he'd forgotten. It had been stupid to forget. He'd grown up with Raymond and knew just how psychotic the man was. He should have expected the attack.
He'd been totally blindsided, and then it had been too late. The attack had been over almost as soon as it had begun. One moment Randal had been walking through the house headed to his bedroom to pack, and the next moment he had been writhing on the ground as his brother beat him.
He was afraid to open his eyes and find himself in that same hell.
He tensed when he heard a door open.
"Anything?"
"His breathing evened out a little while ago, but he still hasn't opened his eyes."
Randal's breath caught as terror filled him. He knew that voice. If Raymond got his hands on his mate, Luca wouldn't survive it. He wasn't a bear shifter. He couldn't shift and heal.
Randal snapped his eyes open and roared. His shift rolled over him quickly, his fear for his mate feeding his need to be in his furry form. He climbed to his paws as he searched the room for the threat to his mate.
Wait.
Where was his mate?
"Randal?"
There, that sound, that scent. He searched the room again until he saw the beautiful green eyes of the man scrunched up against the headboard. Randal leaned out and sniffed at him. Dark roast coffee and honey. It was a weird combination, but one Randal craved to the depths of his being.
He let out a small chuffing noise.
"Hey," Luca said as he reached out a hand and sank his fingers into Randal's fur. "I've never seen you in your bear form before. You're beautiful. So big and strong."
Randal puffed out his chest. Of course he was big and strong. He was a bear.
Luca grabbed both sides of Randal's muzzle. "I love you in your bear form and I want to spend more time with you like this, but do you think you can come back to me as a human for a little while? I need to make sure you're okay."
Randal chuffed again.
"Please, baby. I'm worried about you."
Randal glanced at the man by the door. He didn't feel any threat from the sunlight blond, but that didn't mean there wasn't one. He curled his upper lip back and snarled as he flashed his fangs.
