There was a beat of silence, and Dex’s chest tightened.
Ollie grabbed his hand. “That’s okay, Dex. You don’t have to say it like you’re admitting something you shouldn’t be doing.”
“I know. And I’m not as conflicted as I was, but it’s still weird to talk about with you. I know I’m Luc’s mate. Is that why you’re okay with it? Why you said to call him?” Dex didn’t want Ollie feeling obligated to forgive Luc because of him.
Ollie didn’t seem upset, but he hesitated, and Dex’s doubts rose. “That’s not why I said to call.”
“Then why?” Dex was desperate to know.
Ollie turned serious. “Luc being your mate showed me a different side ofhim. Luc wouldn’t be fated to you if he were all bad. Being your mate means there has to be something in him to forgive. It’s fated. No one destined for you could be unforgivably evil. You proved that Luc is…or has the potential to be good. And he proved it by telling me he’d let you go to the afterlife. There’s more to Luc than I know, even if what I know is terrible, and in the end, it’s fated for the good to come out on top.”
Dex’s head spun with the force of Ollie’s determination. “You’re putting a ton of trust in fate.”
Ollie shrugged, matter-of-fact rather than dismissive. “I’m all in. Fate gave me Dante. It showed me that I can face my ownshit and have the life and relationship I always wanted. Besides, I want this for you. I want you forever, Dex. You’re meant to be a part of our group.”
“Ollie, it’s not that simple.” Dex hoped it would all work out, but there was no guarantee. Luc could do everything in his power, and the Eternal Realm could still decide that mates were banned and force Dex to choose.
Ollie scowled. “I know. But Luc promised me he’d try to fix it. I told him to, and he listened to me. That’s why I’m going to forgive him. He’s giving me you, and you’re worth facing anything, no matter how hard.”
Dex’s chest tightened. “Fuck. I’d never ask you to forgive him.”
“No, you wouldn’t, but I can still do it for you if I want to.” Ollie grabbed another piece of pizza like that was the end of it. “Why don’t you tell me about Luc. Why do you like him? He must not be awful if he’s got your attention.”
Dex laughed. Not awful was practically a glowing endorsement under the circumstances.
He grabbed a slice of pizza, planning to tell Ollie how sweet Luc was. How he offered to help store his parents’ belongings. But what came out was, “Has Dante ever bitten you?”
Ollie choked on his bite of pizza, and Dex thumped his back until he stopped coughing and cleared his throat.
“Fuck yeah, he’s bitten me.” Ollie’s growing smile turned feral. “I’m guessing Luc showed you how good it feels?”
Dex nodded, trying to hide his own smile and failing.
Ollie leaned closer. “Have you ever bitten back?”
Dex’s mind ground to a halt. It had never occurred to him. “Should I?”
“Definitely. It’s incredible.”
Dex’s face flamed. Biting Luc was intriguing, but he preferred to be at Luc’s mercy. Being bitten appealed becausehe had no control. It freed him, and that wouldn’t be the case if he bit Luc. Dex didn’t want to do something so domineering. Unless Luc ordered him to. If Luc made Dex bite him, if it was something he wanted and demanded, then Dex could see himself trying it.
He cleared his throat. “I’ll keep it in mind. But it’s more than sex between us.”
Dex told Ollie all the important things, leaving nothing out, and every soft piece of Luc he shared seemed to bridge the gap that had been growing between him and Ollie. He found himself talking about his parents, Luc’s support, and how bad the last year had been, and the headspace he’d gotten stuck in.
Ollie grabbed Dex’s hand. “I didn’t know things had been so hard for you.”
Dex pulled away. “That’s because I hid it.”
“Why?”
Shit, Ollie sounded hurt, and Dex couldn’t meet his eyes. “I didn’t want to burden you.”
Ollie made a small, sad sound. “It wouldn’t have.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t mean that as a guilt trip. Holding back was a me problem. I didn’t want to face how bad things were, and telling you meant I had to stop denying it to myself.”
Ollie seemed to understand. “I’m glad you told someone. And that you’re moving out soon. I want to help any way I can, Dex.”
