Sebastian shrugged, glancing up and looking at Viggo through his lashes. “Should I be?”
The question was laced with a nervous tremor that tugged on Viggo’s guilty conscience. He rose from his seat, the abrupt movement making Sebastian’s breath hitch, and crossed the short distance between them. He crouched down, placing his hand on Sebastian’s knee, trying to offer comfort.
“I’m not going to hurt you, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
Wide eyes met his, taking him in with wary caution. Viggo smiled, trying to come across as friendly and harmless.
It was not a look he had much practice with.
“I’m not,” Sebastian said, licking his lips and breaking eye contact to look down at Viggo’s hand. “I just don’t know why you picked me.”
That was easy.
“Because I need a human for my pack and my instincts told me to pick you.” He stroked his thumb along the edge of Sebastian’s kneecap.
Sebastian frowned. “So I’m not going to be your mate?”
If Viggo didn’t know better, he’d say the boy sounded disappointed. He grinned, shaking his head. “Not unless you want to be.”
“Doyouwant me to be?”
Viggo froze, nostrils flaring as he breathed in Sebastian’s heady scent. He swallowed. “I would, but like I said, not unless you want it, too. I’m not going to force you into a relationship with me.”
“You’d let me go?”
Sebastian was getting more comfortable asking questions, so it was a shame to have to dash his hopes again.
“No. If we’re not together, then I’ll just be your alpha. You’ll always be a member of my pack.”
Sebastian looked away, jaw clenched. Viggo had no idea what he was thinking.
“What does that mean?” Sebastian finally burst out, almost pleading. His brow furrowed with frustration.
“It means whatever you want it to mean. I expect you to give me and my pack a fair shot – to actually hang out with us and give us a chance to be part of your life – but you don’t have to sleep with me if you don’t want to, and you can date other people. You can even live on your own if that’s what you end up preferring.”
“You won’t be angry?”
Viggo shook his head, hoping he wouldn’t have to face the prospect of Sebastian dating another man or wanting to live away from him and Bjorn.
“Then why couldn’t we just figure that out by dating like normal people?”
Viggo gave Sebastian’s thigh a brisk rub and rose to his feet. “Because I need a human.” He took a step back, looking down at Sebastian. He was gratified to see the boy’s gaze move down to his crotch, the blush from before returning in full force.
“Not because I need a new sexual partner, but because my pack needs a new member and I don’t want it to be another werewolf.”
Bjorn needed someone below him in the pecking order to make his wolf content – someone he could take care of and protect – and though it would be easier if that someone was a person they could share in the bedroom, it wasn’t strictly necessary.
Once Bjorn’s wolf was content, hopefully it would recede and allow Bjorn’s human half to resurface.
“I don’t understand.” Sebastian looked very lost.
“You will.” Viggo gestured for Sebastian to stand up. “It’s about an hour’s drive to my house, so there will be plenty of time to explain the situation in the car.”
Sebastian gulped, rising to his feet and taking a deep breath. When he didn’t move, Viggo reached out and placed his hand on the back of his neck. Sebastian’s spine stiffened at the contact and Viggo gave his neck a little squeeze.
“You’ll be all right,” he murmured, steering Sebastian towards the door. He leaned down, pushing his nose into Sebastian’s hair and placing a gentle kiss on the top of his head. “Nothing bad is going to happen to you. I promise.”
4
