“Interesting question. Depending on who you ask, the answer differs. And we need Sammy’s coffee. He’s the only one who gets it right.”
Dre opened his mouth to give a sharp answer when Sammy reached out and took the cell from him. He looked adorable with his sleep-tousled hair and the lips still swollen from kissing. “I’ll be down in a minute. Stop making such a ruckus.” With that, Sammy ended the call and started getting out of bed. Dre managed to catch his wrist.
“Are you seriously telling me you’re going down there to make them coffee?”
Sammy smiled weakly. “It’s not that Iwantto go down there. But believe me, it’s better in the long run. These two won’t stop pestering us until they have their caffeine fix. Do you really want to spend the morning waiting for what they will come up with to get me down there?”
Dre pondered the question for a moment. He didn’t like the pictures his mind provided. “Fine. But I’m coming with you.” He let go of Sammy’s hand and bent down to pick up his trousers. Sammy was already putting his on. Neither of them bothered with a shirt since they had every intention of getting back to bed again once the terrible two were dealt with. Dre followed Sammy into the shop and opened the shop door for Declan and Troy while Sammy went behind the counter to start the coffee machine. The werewolves sauntered in as if it were perfectly normal to harass other people for coffee at the butt-crack of dawn. Well, early in the morning.
“Had a good night?” Declan eyed Dre’s naked torso. Troy made a beeline for Sammy. Dre was just formulating his answer when a sudden gasp made him turn toward Troy and Sammy. Troy was staring at Sammy with big eyes, the outstretched index finger of his right hand trembling slightly in the air. Declan ran to his friend—lover? partner in crime? Dre was never sure—to see what had him so excited. Sammy was looking at both of them, clearly wanting to know what the issue was. Then Dre realized it too.
Sammy’s torso was covered in silver tattoos, marking him as Dre’s mate. The sight made his cock instantly swell and he felt himself growing as his demon form took over. Careful to keep his wings close to his body, Dre stepped to the counter to touch Sammy’s naked chest where the wordsMate of Dresalantion, Prince of the Demon Realmwere engraved in the demon tongue. He couldn’t believe he hadn’t noticed the tattoos sooner, though he had been otherwise occupied during the night, and when Declan and Troy had woken them, it had taken all his concentration not to strangle the two werewolves.
He couldn’t suppress his proud grin. “You look beautiful,mo grah thu.”
Sammy obviously still hadn’t caught on. He looked from Dre to Declan and Troy and back, before his gaze finally went to his naked chest.
“Oh.”
“Oh? That’s all you have to say?” Troy almost squeaked. “You’re mated, Sammy! You found your true mate! That’s so cool. Congratulations!”
“Yes, congratulations to both of you.” Declan smiled broadly, offered Dre his hand after a moment’s hesitation when he realized Dre was in his demon form. Dre grinned and took the offered hand then pulled Declan into a hug.
“Thank you. We’re very happy.”
Troy was next to embrace him while Declan pulled Sammy from behind the counter and against his chest. “I’m sorry we woke you up. If we had known it was your mating night, we wouldn’t have bothered you…probably.”
At least Declan was honest. “It was a spontaneous decision. It’s fine.” Faced with the genuine joy of the werewolves, Dre found it hard to stay mad at them.
“Okay, let me get your coffee ready then you can run off and tell the others while my mate and I go back to bed.” Sammy disentangled himself from Troy’s embrace and went behind the counter again to make the coffee. Once the werewolves had their caffeine, Sammy closed the door, put a sign in the window explaining the shop would be closed until Tuesday, then they went back upstairs. Since they were already up, they had a quick breakfast before they showered together. After that, Dre spent the rest of the day exploring the tattoos on Sammy’s body and getting his mate intimately acquainted with his fire and his knot.
Life was perfect.
Chapter Sixteen
Sammy was standing in front of the mirror in his bedroom, fussing with his jeans and trying not to think about the fact that he would be meeting Dre’s father half-naked. Apparently, it was customary for the mates of demons to show off their tattoos so everybody knew who they belonged to. When Dre had hinted that the tattoos on Sammy’s legs and private parts were obscured by the jeans, he had only given his mate a withering look and Dre had wisely chosen not to press the subject. They had spent Saturday and the first half of Sunday in wonderful, domestic, sexy bliss until Sammy’s friends had showed up to celebrate their mating with an extended brunch. It was Monday evening now and they were expected at Barion’s mansion to celebrate again, this time with Dre’s family.
“Don’t worry,mo grah thu. My father is more than happy for us. He can’t wait to get to know you.” Dre slung his arms around Sammy and pressed a kiss on the top of his head. “He’s going to love you.”
“I hope so. You really have to start teaching me your language. I don’t want your father to think I’m not putting in the effort.”
Dre turned him around to look him square in the eyes. “Sammy, my love, I’m thrilled you want to learn the demon tongue, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t want you to think you’re under any obligation to do so. You’re as much my mate as I am yours. This goes both ways, lover.”
Sammy sighed. “I know. I really do. It’s just…” He couldn’t bring himself to say it. He didn’t have to. Through their mate bond, Dre got it.
“This is the only family you have left, apart from your friends. I understand,mo grah thu.”
Sammy had to swallow a lump in his throat. Thinking of his parents still made him sad, though it was getting better. “I don’t want to replace them, certainly not, but I could— I could use a father who’s still there, you know?”
“Nobody thinks you’re replacing them, Sammy. And I’m sure my father will be more than happy to be there for you.”
“I hope so.” Sammy straightened. “I think we better get going before I have a nervous breakdown. I’m sure Barion is already waiting for us.”
Dre laughed. “Oh yes, he is. He’s been here twice already, asking what’s taking us so long.”
Sammy shuddered. “I guess I’m glad I took so long in the shower.”
“You bet you are. My little brother is like a kid on a sugar high.”
