Unfortunately for them, there was no way to find out where he was.If he’d died during a fight with shifters, the other hunters would have left him behind.They were ruthless, and they would’ve viewed Jimmy’s death as his own fault.It wouldn’t even be worth it to look for Jimmy’s family.If anything, it might start more problems, which wasn’t something anyone wanted to deal with.
So, they were moving on.They’d brought back the boxes they’d found in Jimmy’s basement to the pride house.Gal had already contacted the Council, who would send people to retrieve them and talk to Ben.In the meantime, Ben could start planning his new life.
It hadn’t been easy.Ben’s family had believed they’d never see him again.They’d packed up his stuff.He’d lost his job and his apartment.They were bringing him some of his things, but in the meantime, they’d needed to improvise.That was why Taylor had taken Ben shopping a few times, but it wasn’t easy to convince his mate to take advantage of his wallet.Ben wanted to contribute and stand on his own two feet, which was understandable, but not practical at the moment.Ben didn’t have a job yet.Hell, he’d barely just decided that he wanted to stay in Green Hill.
But they were working things out, and that was all Taylor cared about.He wanted Ben to be happy here, and he was sure that his mate could be.He just had to give himself and their relationship a chance.
They eventually managed to make it out of the grocery store after buying way too many bags of chips.Taylor didn’t say anything about it.Instead, he drove Ben back home, humming along with the music Ben had chosen.
Because that was what the pride house was to Ben now.Even though he and Taylor hadn’t bonded yet—hell, they hadn’t done more than make out—they were mates.They were meant to be together, and Taylor was happy that it would be in Green Hill.It had startled him to realize that he’d move for Ben, but he was glad he wouldn’t have to.
“I’m going to take this stuff upstairs,” Ben said, opening his door before Taylor could even finish parking the car.
Taylor watched with a fond smile as he took the bags from the back of the car and walked away.Ben was all over the place, and no matter how many times Taylor told him that there was no reason for him to be nervous, that wasn’t going to change any time soon.
Taylor took his time, parking the car and taking deep breaths.He might not be as nervous as Ben, but he still wondered what Ben’s family would think of him.Would they like him?Even if they didn’t, there would be no taking him away from Ben, but Taylor didn’t want to come between his mate and his family.He was already taking Ben from them in a way.He didn’t need to make things worse.
He’d bought a few things for the pride, so he grabbed the bag Ben had left in the car and headed to the kitchen.He didn’t expect to see anyone there, but of course, he did.It was just his luck.
Jacob beamed when he saw Taylor.“Ready to meet the parents?”
“I’m fine.Ben, though, is another story.”
“He hasn’t seen them in months.Give him a little grace.”
“It wasn’t a complaint.I understand where he’s coming from.I’m just not sure I’m more nervous than he is.”
Jacob took a sip of his soda and eyed Taylor.“Not even over the fact that he’s a guy?”
Taylor put away everything in the fridge, giving himself time to think.They’d already been over this, but Jacob hadn’t pushed, and Taylor hadn’t offered much.He’d been turning this thing around in his mind since he’d met Ben, though.He knew how he felt and what he wanted.
He turned to face his best friend.“I don’t care that he’s a guy.Ben’s it for me, and that’s all I care about.”
“I get that, but still.”
“You know, I had a crush on one of the football players when I was in high school.”
Jacob blinked.“Ididn’tknow that.”
“I don’t think I knew, either.I didn’t realize it was a crush.It never went anywhere, obviously, and after we were ordered not to leave the pride house, I didn’t think much about it.It’s not like I liked anyone here that way.”
“Because we’re family.”
“Yes.I mean, you know I’ve never shied away from admitting when I found a guy sexy, but I didn’t think there was more to it.”
“Me neither, but clearly, we were both wrong.So you’re okay with this?”
“I don’t see why I shouldn’t be.He’s mymate, Jacob.Honestly, that’s all I care about.It doesn’t matter what I am or what I thought I was before.”
Jacob hummed.“I’m not sure about that, but if it doesn’t bother you, it’s not going to bother me, either.I just want you to be happy.”
“I will be.”
“Because you found your mate.”
Taylor had never realized how meeting his mate would change his life.When he woke up in the morning, Ben was the first thing he thought of.When he went to sleep at night, Ben was the last thing on his mind.Even during the day, he kept thinking about Ben and what he was doing.He wanted to take care of his mate.He wanted to protect and comfort him, to give him everything he could ever want.He wanted Ben to be as happy as he was, and he thought he was doing a pretty good job.
“This leaves Eddie as the single in our friend group,” Jacob said.
