Connor considered the question. His skin didn’t crawl at the contact. He hadn’t felt those sensations around Leyden from day one. There was none of the familiar urge to pull away. Just warmth spreading through his body, pleasant and grounding.
“Yeah.” He leaned into Leyden’s side. “I’m good.”
Surprise flickered through the bond, followed by cautious pleasure. Leyden’s arm came up slowly, telegraphing the movement, giving Connor time to protest.
Connor tucked himself against his mate’s chest instead.
Leyden’s heartbeat thrummed steady beneath Connor’s ear. His mate’s scent wrapped around him – pine, spice, and something uniquely Leyden. The arm around Connor’s shoulders tightened carefully.
“This okay?” Leyden’s voice rumbled through his chest.
“Yep.” Connor closed his eyes, let himself sink into the contact. “This is really okay.”
They sat like that for a couple of hours, Leyden reading his reports while Connor simply existed in his mate’s arms. No expectations. No pressure. Just two people learning how to be close.
I can do this.The research had given Connor hope, but Leyden’s patience, his acceptance and how he never demanded more than Connor might give, helped him to believe they could actually work long term. Turning his head, he brushed a quick kiss under Leyden’s chin, feeling the warmth that simple act had caused through their bond, along with Leyden’s gentle smile.
Chapter Eighteen
The knock on the door came Sunday morning while Leyden was making breakfast.
Connor glanced up from his laptop at the kitchen table, frowning. “Were you expecting someone?”
“No.” Leyden wiped his hands on a towel and headed for the entrance, Connor following a few steps behind.
Leyden opened the door to find his parents on the porch, his mother beaming, his father’s expression neutral.
“Surprise!” His mother swept past him into the house, pulling him into a tight hug. “We were in the area and thought we’d stop by to meet your mate.”
Leyden returned the embrace, catching his father’s measuring gaze over her shoulder. Alpha Sebastian stood tall and imposing, every inch the alpha he’d been for forty years.
“Mom, Dad.” Leyden stepped back, gesturing toward Connor. “This is Connor, my alpha mate. Connor, my parents - Catherine and Sebastian.”
His mother turned to Connor, smile widening. “Oh, he’s gorgeous! Look at those shoulders.” She crossed to Connor, who’d gone slightly rigid. “May I hug you, dear?”
Connor blinked, clearly caught off guard by the request for permission. “Uh. Sure?”
Catherine pulled Connor into a warm embrace, patting his back. “It’s wonderful to meet you. Leyden’s been so secretive about his personal life. We only heard through the grapevine he’d found his mate.”
Connor’s discomfort seemed to ease slightly at her genuine warmth. “Nice to meet you too, ma’am.”
“Call me Catherine, please.” She released Connor, turning to Leyden. “You didn’t tell us you’d claimed your mate. When did this happen?”
“Almost a month ago.” Leyden moved to Connor’s side, resisting the urge to put his arm around his mate. Connor had been more comfortable with touch lately, but not necessarily in front of strangers.
Sebastian stepped inside, closing the door. His gaze traveled over Connor, assessing. “You’re Davis’s former beta, from the next pack over.”
“I am.” Connor’s posture straightened, meeting Sebastian’s eyes without backing down.
“Hmm.” Sebastian’s expression remained unreadable.
Tension crept into Leyden’s shoulders. He knew that tone, that look. His father was forming opinions, none of them were likely positive.
“Have you eaten?” Leyden asked, forcing brightness into his voice. “I was just making breakfast.”
“That would be lovely.” Catherine smiled, already heading toward the kitchen. “Connor, tell me about yourself. How did you and Leyden meet?”
As his mother drew Connor into conversation, Leyden caught his father’s pointed look. Sebastian jerked his head toward the study.
