It hurt, but Mackenzie would never do anything that would get Nico in trouble.He understood Nico’s position better after Nico had finally talked to him, but he didn’t know whathisposition would be.“If the two of us stay together, what will happen to me when he becomes alpha?”he asked his brother.He was sure Dean knew.He was dating an alpha, after all.
“You’ll be the alpha mate.”
Mackenzie narrowed his eyes at him.“What does that mean?”
“From what I understand, it means something different for every group of shifters.Some of the mates work with the alpha when it comes to leading their people, and while they’re not the alpha, they play a big role.Others don’t matter at all.That’s something you and Nico will have to work through once it happens.”
Mackenzie groaned.“That doesn’t help me at all.”
“I wish I could say something that would reassure you, but does it matter?You like Nico, right?You want to be with him, no matter what and who he is?”
“Pretty much.”
“Then you’ll deal with whatever comes with him.Right now, it’s probably going to be an overbearing father and a smart-mouthed brother.You and Nico will have years to decide how you want things to work when he becomes alpha.That means that you’ll have years to get used to living in the forest with shifters.People will see you around.You won’t be a stranger anymore, so if you’re worried about how people will take you becoming alpha mate, I wouldn’t.There’s no need to think about that right now.I don’t know Nico’s father very well, but he doesn’t strike me as someone who’s already looking at retirement.”
Mackenzie leaned back in his chair.He was still slightly panicky, but he forced himself to think about what Dean was saying because he was right, wasn’t he?The alpha mate position wasn’t something Mackenzie needed to think about now.Yes, he might become one, but there was no way to know when or what it would entail.The only thing Mackenzie knew for sure was that it would take years, and his life would be very different when it happened.
Did it scare him?Yeah.Was it something he’d have to think about eventually?Yes, because he didn’t want him or Nico to be hurt.But if being the alpha mate wasn’t something he wanted, he’d have to let go of Nico sooner rather than later.
Was that something he could do?Was the fear of having authority over shifters—he didn’t even know what kind of authority—stronger than wanting Nico?
The thought of leaving him made Mackenzie’s heart ache.He didn’t want to do that.He didn’t want to lose Nico.
He guessed he had his answer, didn’t he?Nico was worth a lot—everything—and if that meant that Mackenzie would eventually have to become the alpha mate, then so be it.He’d make it work somehow.He and Nico would have years to define what both of them wanted from each other and what Mackenzie wanted from his position by Nico’s side.
Dean knocked his foot against Mackenzie’s, and when Mackenzie looked up, he grinned.“Hey, look at the bright side.Youcan’t get pregnant.”
Mackenzie laughed.
* * * *
NICO’S HANDS WERE SHAKINGslightly as he parked in front of Mackenzie’s house.The drive over had been a blur during which Nico hadn’t been able to stop thinking about what Mackenzie had told him during their phone call.
The porch light was on, and before Nico could even get to the door, it opened.Mackenzie stood there, backlit by light from inside, and the expression on his face made Nico’s breath hitch.
“Hi,” Mackenzie said softly.
“Hi.”Nico climbed the steps, his heart pounding.“You’re sure about this?”
Instead of answering, Mackenzie reached for him, pulling him inside and into a kiss that erased every doubt Nico could have.The door closed behind them, and Nico let himself be dragged into Mackenzie’s arms and the promise of everything he’d been too afraid to hope he could have.
They made it to the bedroom, leaving a trail of clothes and shoes.Mackenzie’s hands were warm against Nico’s skin as they touched, urgent but careful as if he was afraid to hurt him.A lot of people treated Nico like he was something that could break at any moment, but when Mackenzie did it, Nico felt reverence rather than condescension.
“I’ve wanted this since we met,” Mackenzie murmured against Nico’s neck.
Nico shivered at the feeling of Mackenzie’s lips on his skin.“Me, too.”Nico grabbed the hem of Mackenzie’s shirt, pulling it up and over his head.
Mackenzie laughed softly, the sound turning into a gasp as Nico’s hands explored the newly revealed skin.“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”Nico kissed him again, slower this time, trying to communicate everything he felt through touch.“I’m scared, too, you know.Of messing this up.Of being too much.Of everything being too complicated.”
“You’re not too much.”Mackenzie cupped Nico’s face, making him meet his eyes.“You’re just enough.”
They fell onto the bed together, limbs tangled, and shared heated kisses.Nico had been with people before, but this felt different—itwasdifferent.Every touch felt like a promise, every kiss like a commitment.
Mackenzie pulled away, reaching for the nightstand drawer.“I have—we should—”
“Yes,” Nico agreed, understanding immediately.
