Taylor moved closer.He didn’t touch Ben, but he didn’t need to.Ben could feel his presence anyway.He wanted to lean against his mate, but he told himself to wait and see what Taylor would do next.He never wanted to push Taylor into something he didn’t want or wasn’t ready for.
“It would make sense for you to go,” Taylor said softly.“You’re probably yearning for something familiar right now.Besides, you know that they love you and will keep you safe, and I’m sure you miss them.”
“All those things are true, but I’m not leaving you.”
“I could come with you.”
Taylor’s voice was even quieter now.Ben knew that he wasn’t lying.If Ben wanted to leave, Taylor wouldn’t try to stop him.Instead, he’d go with him, leaving his family and his job behind.He’d do it because it was what Ben wanted—maybe what he needed.
But what Ben really wanted was to be with his mate.He was still scared that Jimmy wasn’t actually dead and that he’d find him, but if he did, the pride would keep Ben safe.Even if they didn’t do it for him, they’d do it for Taylor.He was one of them.He’d been born here and had been a pride member all his life.They’d protect his mate, and they were better equipped to do so than Ben’s family.The pride had fighters, and the house was better protected than Ben’s parents’ house could ever be.
Ben didn’t have to worry about being safe here.He knew he was.
“I’m not going to ask you to do that,” he said, turning to face his mate.
“You’re not asking,” Taylor pointed out.“I’m offering.”
“We both know that you don’t want to leave.”
“It doesn’t mean I won’t do it for you.You’re the only person who’d be able to convince me to leave the pride.”
“Well, I’m not going to.This is our home.”
Taylor’s lips curled into a smile.“Yours, too?”
“Yes.”It might not feel like it yet, but that would change.Ben wouldn’t accept any other outcome.
When Taylor reached for Ben, Ben went easily.He wanted to be in his mate’s arms.He had things to do and snacks to lay out, but this was more important.He and Taylor were still finding their way to each other, and Taylor would always be Ben’s priority.
“Soon, we’re going to talk about bonding,” Taylor murmured, his voice muffled because of the way he was pressing his lips against Ben’s hair.“And one day, we’ll both be ready for it.I can’t wait.”
Ben’s heart raced.Never in a million years could he have imagined Taylor offering that.Considering the way Taylor had taken the revelation of Ben being his mate, Ben had thought it would take a lot more time.Taylor wasn’t saying that he was ready to bond yet, but he was hinting at the fact that he would be soon, and Ben couldn’t wait.He wasn’t going to say no.
He wasn’t an idiot.
Someone cleared her throat, causing Ben to jump.Taylor didn’t react as strongly, but he tightened his arms around Ben and turned toward the door.
Jacob stood there, grinning like a fool.“Sorry to bother you.”
“You’re not sorry,” Taylor accused.
“Not at all.But, Ben, your parents are here.”
For a moment, everything stopped.Ben sucked in a breath.His parents were here.For the first time in months, he was going to see them, and he’d never lose them again.He couldn’t even imagine what they’d gone through.He felt guilty about not contacting them to tell them that he was okay, but at the same time, he was glad he hadn’t.He’d kept them safe the only way he could have—by staying away—and he didn’t regret it.He just hoped they’d understand.
Ben’s mother pushed Jacob aside as she burst into the room.She looked around for a few seconds, then her gaze stopped on Ben.She gasped and brought a hand to her mouth.Tears were already rolling down her cheeks when she launched herself forward, clearly trusting Ben to catch her.
Taylor had to scramble out of the way, but he didn’t seem to mind.He was smiling widely as he watched Ben and his mother reunite.
Ben wrapped his arms around his mom.She was shorter than him, which was something she’d always jokingly complained about.Right now, it meant that she could bury her face against Ben’s chest and cry, though, so he thought she was okay with it.
Strong arms wrapped around both of them.Ben closed his eyes and leaned into his father.He was here, too.Of course he was.
“We thought you were gone,” Ben’s father said.
Ben’s mother shook her head, but she didn’t look up.“I never believed that you were dead,” she promised.“I knew you were out here somewhere, and I was right.”
“You were,” Ben confirmed.“And I’m okay.I promise that I’m okay.”
