Leyden guided Connor out of the pack hall, one hand resting protectively on the small of his back. Pack members lingered in the parking lot, voices hushed, eyes tracking their movements. Connor’s shoulders stayed rigid under Leyden’s touch, tension radiating through their bond, as they made their way to the pack house.
They climbed the stairs to their bedroom in silence. Connor headed straight for the window, staring out at the forest beyond the yard.
Leyden shut the door and leaned against it, watching his mate’s stiff posture. The echo of Connor’s earlier words -I’m making you cruel -twisted in his chest.It’s not cruel if I’m doing what needs to be done…is it?
“Connor…”
“Thank you.” Connor’s voice came out rough. “For what you said down there. For defending me.”
Leyden crossed the room in three strides and wrapped his arms around Connor from behind. His mate tensed for half a second before melting into the embrace.
“You should know by now I’ll always defend you,” Leyden murmured against Connor’s temple. “Always.”
Connor turned in his arms, and the expression on his face stole Leyden’s breath - raw emotion swimming in those deep green eyes. Love and gratitude and something deeper, more profound. Like Connor finally understood he belonged exactly where he was.
Connor’s hands came up to frame Leyden’s face, and then his mate kissed him.
Not the careful, exploratory kisses they’d shared before. This kiss burned with passion, with need, with something fierce and claiming that made Leyden’s wolf surge forward in response.
Leyden kissed back but forced himself to keep his movements gentle, following Connor’s lead even as his pulse hammered. His mate controlled the pace, the pressure, the depth. Leyden let Connor explore, opening for him when Connor’s tongue traced his lower lip.
Connor made a sound low in his throat and pressed closer, eliminating the space between their bodies. His hands slid from Leyden’s face to his shoulders, gripping tight.
Leyden’s arousal spiked hard and fast. He tried to keep his hips angled away, not wanting to overwhelm Connor with physical evidence of his desire, but Connor followed him. Sought him out.
They stumbled backward toward the bed. The back of Leyden’s knees hit the mattress and he sat, Connor immediately following him down. His mate straddled his lap, never breaking the kiss, fingers threading through Leyden’s hair.
Sweet hell, Connor felt perfect. Weight solid against him, lips demanding more, body warm and present in a way that made Leyden’s entire world narrow to this moment.
Connor shifted against him, and Leyden bit back a groan. Through their bond, he caught flickers of Connor’s emotions - love, yes, and trust, but something new threading through. Interest. Curiosity.
Heat.
Connor pulled back suddenly, chest heaving. His pupils were blown wide, lips swollen and red. But uncertainty flickered across his features.
Leyden stopped moving instantly. Kept his hands loose on Connor’s hips rather than gripping like his wolf demanded. He didn’t chase after Connor’s mouth even though every instinct screamed to reclaim those lips.
“You okay?” His voice came out gravelly.
Connor swallowed hard. “I felt something.”
Leyden’s heart kicked. “Something?”
“Not…” Connor’s brow furrowed. “Not full-blown desire or anything. But interest. Like...” He gestured at his pants helplessly. “Like my body actually noticed what we were doing and didn’t hate the idea.”
Pride and affection surged through Leyden. “That’s good, sweetheart. That’s really good.”
“Then I got nervous.” Connor’s gaze dropped. “Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize.” Leyden cupped his face, tilting it back up. “You never have to apologize for setting boundaries. Ever.”
Connor searched his expression. “You’re not disappointed?”
“Disappointed?” Leyden huffed a laugh. “Connor, you just kissed me like I meant something, you let me hold you, you’re sitting on my lap right now. I’m the opposite of disappointed.”
A smile tugged at Connor’s mouth. “Your body seems pretty disappointed.”
Leyden glanced down at the obvious bulge in his jeans, then back up at his mate. “My body will survive. It’s gotten very familiar with cold showers and my right hand.”
