I scowled as I held him close. "Do not say such things. What do I care for unicorn omegas? In fact, I care nothing for any omega who isn'tyou."
"Oh, cut it out, you're gonna make me cry."
I kissed his eyelids. "Don't cry. Unless it's from joy."
Ryan laughed as he wiped the remainder of his tears away.
There was still one more secret between us. One I didn't want to keep from him any longer. When I told him this, there would be no more secrets in our relationship from here on out.
"There's something else I must tell you," I murmured. "And I hope you'll believe me."
Ryan smiled. "Well, I believe the fact that you're a unicorn, so I don't think anything else will be much of a stretch at this point."
I took a deep breath, filling my lungs with sweet summer air. "Then I shall speak the truth. You are my fated mate, Ryan."
"Fated... mate?" he echoed. "What does that mean? Like, we're destined for each other?"
"That's correct. That is how I sensed your distress at the cherry blossom festival. You see, unicorn shifters only have that ability for one person—their fated mate. In my case, that's you."
Surprise and awe dawned over Ryan's face. "Seriously? That's a real thing?"
"Yes."
Ryan blinked as his brain took in this new information. "Wow... I guess that makes sense. Youdidkind of appear out of thin air. And I was feeling pretty bad before you showed up."
"No more of that," I said. "I'm here to support you now. Never again shall you feel the brunt of pain or loneliness. As my fated mate, I will always be by your side."
Ryan tilted his head curiously. "Even in the bathroom? Oh, what if I have to do something really boring, like jury duty? Can I bring a plus one there?"
I raised a brow. "I do not know.Canyou bring a plus one to jury duty? ...What is jury duty, anyway?"
Ryan grinned. "I love that about you, Ulysses. You're always—" He stopped abruptly, realizing what he'd said as his cheeks burned pink. "Um."
A light, airy feeling danced in my chest. "You love me?"
"I mean—what I meant to say is—" Ryan struggled and failed to find the supposed words. He sighed. "I know it's weird since we just met. You just feel... special, you know?" He let out a soft laugh and rubbed his arm, flustered. "It's weird. I'm usually never this open with people I don't know very well. But that's the thing. Itdoesfeel like I know you. Is that normal?"
"With fated mates? Quite normal."
He looked relieved. "Okay, good, 'cause I was starting to feel like a schoolgirl with a dumb crush."
I caressed his cheek again. It was hot to the touch and full of life. Ryan's eyes met mine, flickering from under his dark lashes. They were full of warm emotion and glazed with a hint of want. It reminded me just how badly I wanted him, too. My cock twitched.
But unicorns are incredibly patient. We were gentlemen among shifters. There would be no rowdy, obnoxious behavior from me, such as the likes of wolf or bear shifters. The demand for intimacy had to come from Ryan himself. All I could do was suggest my needs. He had to be the one to take the plunge.
"Ulysses," Ryan began.
"Yes, my little clover."
Ryan smiled at the nickname. Was there anything sweeter than a field of clover? Well, clearly, the answer was yes. He was standing right in front of me.
Ryan fidgeted. "Can I kiss you again?"
"You needn't even ask," I replied.
This time Ryan initiated the kiss. He pushed up on his toes to meet my height and pressed his lips gently against mine. His mouth was plush and soft, like treading among an untouched field, except far more pleasurable. My tongue grazed his lower lip, teasing him and eliciting a small contented sound. It sent a shiver through me.
I held Ryan close to my chest. The mutual heat of our bodies mingled together. Now that he was in my life, I never wanted to part from him again.
