David turned, looking at his mate, wondering if Zane was so rich, he could afford this—even for one night. Then a horrible thought hit him.What if he can’t and is doing this just to impress me? Or trying to convince me I should allow him to claim me? Is Zane the kind of shifter I’ve always been warned about? Oh shit, I should have stayed at Morgan’s.
This time Zane spotted the moment David’s face reflected his worry and, after noticing how his mate had scrutinized everything in their suite, he was betting he knew what caused it. “Babe, what do you think? Do you like the room?”
Unsure how to answer until he remembered Kieran’s advice about honesty, he said, “I’m overwhelmed. Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.”
“Can you afford this? I mean, I don’t know how much it costs but it has to be a lot.”
“I’m not paying for the room. My Alpha and Alpha Mate are.”
“Wow! Why?”
“Because I found you,” Zane said. “I came to Scotland on a one-week vacation and was going to use Dakota and Slate’s suite because they’re leaving tomorrow, but then I found you. My wolf told me you were in trouble, so Logan reserved a suite for us tonight, so we could get to know one another without anyone overhearing us. I have lots of stuff to tell you about my brothers and what happens when we claim our Fated Mates but what if we save that for tomorrow. Tonight…how about we just get some rest and pick up on everything tomorrow? That is, unless you want to talk tonight?”
David blinked several times, trying to process what his mate said, realizing if he agreed, it would delay having to tell Zane who he really was. It would be an easy way out for him tonight and besides, he needed time to gather his thoughts to figure out how to explain it all to Zane. “Rest is fine with me,” David replied.
“Good,” Zane said, lifting his mate’s backpack onto the bed. “Do you mind if we sleep together? I promise I won’t claim you, or do anything else, until we are in agreement about mating.”
Remembering how good it felt in his mate’s arms back in the break room, David wanted more of it and, since he wasn’t sure what would happen after Zane kneweverything about him, he wanted to seize the opportunity to be held again. “I would like that,” David said shyly.
“Me too.” Zane grinned. “You can have the bathroom first. I’ll be in the living room so give me a shout when you’re finished.”
“Okay,” David said, opening up his backpack and removing his kit bag and pajama pants. He hoped Zane didn’t mind if he slept topless, but he was dying to feel the sheets against his skin.
Pouring himself a glass of sparkling water, Zane wandered around the room, sipping it until he reached the large windows where he finished it off. Leaning against the glass and looking down at the rain-soaked pavement, Zane spotted a man standing in a doorway across the street, only half visible.A helluva night to be out so late. Wonder what he’s up to. Then, his eyes flicked up into the darkness of the nighttime sky. He’d bet anything his mate was hiding something—he could see the wariness in David’s eyes every time he brought up talking about themselves.
Whatever David was afraid of telling him, it wouldn’t matter; he’d already made up his mind he wanted to claim his mate. Doubts he may have had were erased by one kiss, when his lips touched David’s. Zane knew he’d never get enough of him. But what would his mate think about the gifts his brothers received and the one he’d get? He couldn’t put it off any longer. Oracle would be here tomorrow, and all hell might break loose if David found out from her instead of him. Sighing, he set his empty glass on the table and headed into the bedroom after hearing David call to him.
Zane found David in bed, covered up, looking nervous, but smiling at him. He grinned at his mate then, grabbing his suitcase, Zane plopped it on a chair, opened it, and pulled out what he needed for tonight. Deciding to take a quick shower once he was in the bathroom, he stripped, turned on the water and jumped in. Wasting no time, he soaped up his body before rinsing off, making it one of the shortest—if nottheshortest—showers he’d ever taken. Toweling himself dry, he brushed his teeth and, stepping into his pink unicorn print pajama pants, flipped off the light and headed to the bedroom.
David’s eyes grew round as he watched Zane approach the bed. Giggling, he said, “I love your unicorns.”
“Thanks. Ki gave them to me as a gift for helping him set up a virtual dance club to show Theo and Norman what to expect at a real one.”
“He likes pink.”
“Ahh, yup, lots of pink and in all different shades. When Cody brought him home after rescuing him, Ki showed up wearing a bright pink t-shirt along with a sassy I’m-always-right attitude. I knew right then and there he and I would be great friends.”
“He’s my friend too.”
“I’m not surprised. He’s so much fun, you just naturally want to be around him. And what he did for Logan’s psyche after they mated, is nothing short of a miracle,” Zane said, getting under the covers. “Do you mind if we spoon? I meant what I said…I won’t do anything, but my wolf is going crazy with you over there.”
Smiling shyly, David moved over to Zane, rolled onto his side, then wiggled until he was against Zane’s body. Alow moan escaped as he felt his mate’s naked chest against his back; the skin-to skin contact was making his cock hard and his nipples erect. Embarrassed, he asked Zane to turn out the lamp next to the bed to hide his response. He felt one of Zane’s arms sliding under his head, the other landing over his body, pulling him tight to his mate. Not sure if he was ever going to sleep with all the sparks flying through his body, he said, “Good night, Zane.”
“Sleep tight, babe,” Zane said sleepily, his eyes already closing in contentment.
“You too,” David whispered, knowing it would be a long time before he reached that state.
Chapter 9
Maximus smiled when Mystia suddenly appeared holding one of her many books about myths and legends she’d shared with him when he was growing up. Those were the happy memories of his childhood, memories Mystia made sure he had to mitigate the terrible ones that haunted him after his father was killed. Maximus was old enough to know what was happening when his father called Mystia to rescue him and the Dire Wolf Treasure during the fierce battle. The pain he felt that night was gone, but his father’s parting words were engraved on his heart forever.
Clinging to his father’s leg, Maximus begged to be allowed to stay and fight by his side, promising he would kill all the bad wolves. Tears streamed down his face when he realized his father wouldn’t be swayed. When his father picked him up for the last time, Maximus wrapped his arms around his neck, inhaling the scent that always brought him comfort. Then, his father spoke softly into his ear—the last words he’d ever heard from him, “Remember, Max, I’ll always be with you the rest of your life. If you ever need love, look into your heart for I will be there…if you ever need advice, search your mind, for I will be there…and if you ever need faith, look for me in your soul, for I will be there, too… always and forever my darling, brave boy.”
“I love you, Father,” Maximus said tearfully, “always and forever.” Then, as the door to their home was bashed in and hordes of wolves barreled through, Maximus felt Mystia’s hands tugging him away from the only parent he ever knew. Then both of them disappeared, his armsstill stretching out for the dad he’d never be able to hug again.
Maximus awoke the next day to the new reality of being alone in the world except for the company of the witch he blamed for spiriting him away from his father, just when he was needed most. How she managed to put back together a heartbroken child still amazed him, but he knew it started with her library of old and rare books he found one day while wandering around, trying to figure out how to run away. Opening one, Maximus was transported to a world of fantasy, mystical beings and fascinating tales.
