For a second, Mathlin looked dismayed. Then he shook himself and straightened his shoulders. “I’ll do it.”
“Good,” Titan rumbled, his instincts pressing just beneath his skin. Mathlin would be such an amazing mate.
“Don’t forget the magical healing,” Hamilton whispered.
Titan exchanged a look with Mathlin. They had come alotof times today. “We’ll rest tonight,” Titan said, even though his cock grew warm between his legs. “We filled a lot more vials than I was expecting.”
“Maybe that’s also part of the magical healing.” Hamilton wriggled his eyebrows. “You should put more up for sale.”
“Yeah,” Titan agreed.
After the dishes were cleared, Mathlin brought Jannie to the guestroom. Titan listened with half an ear as Mathlin changed Jannie’s diapers and put the pup to bed.
He stopped eavesdropping. With voice-activated commands, he checked his different business emails and put up more batches of cum for sale. It didn’t take long before those were sold out, too.
Sooner than later, he needed to post another video of himself, if only to update his fans on his dismal situation.
Titan was about to plan that video when Mathlin released a long, slow breath.
He stopped and listened. There were no sounds of movement, only soft breathing that hitched and grew uneven.
Was Mathlin upset?
Before he knew it, he was prowling out of his bedroom, peeking through the open guestroom door.
Mathlin was wringing his hands.
“Math, what’s wrong?”
Mathlin jumped a foot into the air. “Eek!”
Titan grimaced. “Sorry! I didn’t mean to surprise you.”
“No, no, it’s fine.” Mathlin shook his head quickly. But shadows lingered in his eyes.
“What’s wrong?” Titan murmured, taking a step closer. “If there’s anything that makes you uncomfortable in my home, please tell me.”
Mathlin bit his plush lower lip. “It’s just... I’m not used to having this much space.”
He gestured at the guestroom.
“You’re not? Weren’t you staying in Crush’s safehouse for a while?” Titan’s younger brother, Crush, co-owned a few properties with some of their alpha friends. They used those properties as safehouses, and had been sheltering some rescued omegas in them.
“Oh... I had a room there, but I was sleeping under the bed.”
“Under the—” Titan stared at Mathlin, horrified. “Why?”
Mathlin looked at his feet. “I don’t feel safe in open spaces. When I sleep, I mean. I don’t have to watch my back as hard under the bed. Usually I have Jannie in there with me, but I thought maybe this time she should know what sleeping in a crib feels like.”
“Fuck,” Titan whispered. Now wasn’t the time to ask what had happened to make Mathlin feel this way. “Do you think... sleeping in my bedroom will help? Under my bed, or in my bed. I’ll watch your back.”
Mathlin fidgeted, unsure.
“What did you do at Ottis’ place?” Titan asked gently. “He doesn’t have a guestroom.”
“I slept on his couch, under a pile of blankets. It was kind of stuffy.” Mathlin made a face, but at least his shoulders were relaxing.
“You don’t have to use as many blankets on my bed,” Titan pointed out. “If you’d like, we can move Jannie’s crib into my bedroom. I promise my bed is a lot more comfy than the space under it. Hell, I can sleep on the floor if that makes you feel better.”
