Ryland had to clear his throat before he could finally croak out an answer past his nerves.“I’m sorry, sir.I wasn’t alone when I made the calls.”
Arslan’s claws dug into his palms.He’d guessed that much from the message, and even if he hadn’t, he had no reason to believe Ryland would lie to him.But something about the way Ryland offered the information was wrong.Every instinct Arslan possessed screamed at him that he wasn’t the only one who thought it sounded like an excuse.Ryland agreed with him.
As Arslan saw the look in Ryland’s eyes, any doubts Arslan might have clung to vanished, leaving behind the complete certainty that Ryland had stayed away from the pride because he had chosen to do so.
“It won’t happen again, sir,” Ryland promised, the words tripping over each other as he rushed to get them out.
“It won’t,” Arslan agreed.“Because I have no intention of allowing you out of sight of the pride ever again.”If Ryland couldn’t be trusted not to wander off on his own and put himself in who knew what sort of danger, he’d be kept close and denied the opportunity to do so.Very simple.
“Yes, sir.”And, in that moment, he sounded as if Ryland couldn’t think of anything he’d rather do more than to spend the rest of his life sitting quietly at his master’s side where it would be easier for Arslan keep an eye on him.
Ryland’s shoulders twitched as if he was so eager to reach out to Arslan, he’d forgotten his wrists were still bound behind him.Finding himself unable to take his hands from behind his back, Ryland took half a step forward and brought their entire bodies closer together instead.Then, he hesitated, as if doubting his welcome.
Arslan lifted his own hand from his side.Unfurling his fist, he slid his fingers gently through Ryland’s hair.Stroking his other hand up Ryland’s back, Arslan guided him to take the last step forward and come properly back to his master.
Arslan’s nails tingled and tried to morph into claws as his need to mark his territory tried to push all other considerations aside.He closed his eyes and tried to resist the urge, but the instinct to offer Ryland the only sign of security and possession that he had at his disposal was too strong.
Arslan slid his hands down Ryland’s back, letting his claws catch lightly at Ryland’s skin, leaving delicate declarations of protection in their wake.
Ryland gasped.His head dropped back—his eyes fell closed.So much bliss, so much peace.
As his hands reached the small of Ryland’s back, Arslan forced his nails resume their proper human shape and pushed himself to be content with what he’d already allowed himself to indulge in.
He trailed his fingertips over the lines, trying to soothe any discomfort he might have caused his pet.Ryland blinked his eyes open.Pleasure danced in his gaze.Arslan ran his palms over the marks, and Ryland’s eyes dropped closed again.No discomfort, just desire.
”I missed them, sir.”
Arslan stared down at him.
“The scratches—when they healed, sir,” Ryland said.“I missed them.”
Arslan nodded his understanding as he traced the scratches once more.Such good instincts for a human.Arslan had missed the scratches, too, knowing they were fading while Ryland was away from his side.
Unable to accept even the tiniest distance between them a moment longer, Arslan pulled Ryland closer still, so bare skin caressed against bare skin from tip to toe.
Ryland shook slightly as he relaxed against him, as if some part of him had doubted Arslan would accept him back into the pride.Arslan buried his face in Ryland’s hair and inhaled deeply, savouring his presence.As safe as he undoubtedly was, wrapped within Arslan’s embrace, the scent of fear still lingered on him.
“Tell your master what you’re afraid of, pet,” Arslan whispered against his hair.
Ryland was quiet for a long time.
Arslan waited Ryland out, silently begging him to trust him enough that there would be no hedging and claims that he wasn’t scared at all—that there would be no lies between them.
“Afraid that there are some things a man can’t fix, sir,” Ryland said, so softly the words were barely audible.“That there are some things a lion can’t forgive.”
“You really thought I’d turn you away?”Pulling back slightly, Arslan looked down into Ryland’s eyes.
Ryland didn’t try to meet his gaze.His instincts seemed to have completely deserted him.
“You still think that,” Arslan realised.
Ryland’s Adam’s apple bobbed several times as if he was trying to work some moisture back into a throat left dry by nerves.“I gave the money back.”The moment he’d forced the words out, he bowed his head to rest his temple on Arslan’s shoulder once more.He snuggled as close as he could get.
The move was so instinctive, so kittenish, Arslan couldn’t help but smile down at the top of his head.Some part of Ryland obviously trusted him.As wonderful as that knowledge was, it did nothing to help Arslan work out what his pet was trying to tell him.
”I can’t forgive you for anything if you’re going to speak in riddles, pet.”He made the words as gentle as he could, but they still sounded loud and harsh next to Ryland’s whispers.
Ryland nodded but made no attempt to offer Arslan any information that he could make sense of.
