“I suspect there’s a lot I don’t know about shifters.”
“Probably, but you said that part of your family lives here?”
“They do.Apparently, the fox alpha is my cousin.”
“Jerome?”
“I guess everyone knows the alphas.Yeah, him.”
Everyone did know the alphas, but in Nico’s case, it was different.He knew Jerome personally.His father worked with the man regularly, and so would Nico if his father retired before Jerome did.
But Nico didn’t tell any of that to Mackenzie.He didn’t want the man to know that he was a future alpha.He didn’t know how Mackenzie would react, but it was nice to be treated like any other person.All of Nico’s life, he’d been treated differently, either because he was a carrier or because he was his father’s son.Mackenzie was like a fresh start, and it was appealing, at least for one afternoon.
“My name’s Nico,” Nico said.“Welcome to the forest.”He’d heard about some humans being allowed in from his father, but he hadn’t realized he’d meet one of those humans.He was intrigued.“How about I buy you a fresh coffee?I’m not sure how long you’d been standing there, but you look like you could use it.”
“It’s fine.”
“What happened for you to find out about carriers, then?”Nico looked Mackenzie up and down.“Are you pregnant?”
Mackenzie’s cheeks turned red.“I most definitely am not.”
“Well, you could have carrier genes if you’re related to Jerome.”
“It’s a possibility, but I haven’t done anything that would get me pregnant, so I’m sure I don’t have any babies in the oven.”
Nico laughed.“That’s good.”
Mackenzie watched him for a moment before smiling.“You know what?I think I’ve changed my mind about that coffee.Do you have time to sit down with me?”
“I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t.”Nico was going to enjoy his moment of respite, and apparently, he’d enjoy it with Mackenzie.
The thought was exciting.Nico had been born in the forest.He hadn’t known any humans until that team sent by the government had arrived, and it wasn’t like he’d made friends with them.He was curious, not only about humans in general, but also about Mackenzie.Besides, the man looked like he could use a friend.Nico had no idea why Mackenzie was here if he wasn’t part of the team, but maybe he was about to find out.If anything, Nico’s father would be glad to know.He always said that it was good to be aware of everything that happened in the forest, whether or not it involved the bobcats.Nico was just following his father’s teachings.
That was what he’d tell his father if he asked why it had taken him so long to run a few errands.
As Nico followed Mackenzie toward the coffee shop, he could feel that something important was happening—or maybe he was fooling himself into thinking that.Whatever the case, this was a moment just for him.Right now, he wasn’t his father’s heir or a carrier.To Mackenzie, he was just Nico, and that was how he wanted to keep things.He didn’t even care what they talked about, although he’d be happy to explain shifters and carriers to Mackenzie.No, the only thing he cared about was that Mackenzie only saw him as a guy, nothing more, nothing less.
Chapter Three
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MACKENZIE WAS RELIEVEDwhen Dean finally called him and agreed to see him.He’d heard from his brother sporadically since Jasper had been attacked, but he’d told himself not to freak out or push, considering everything Dean was dealing with.It hadn’t been easy.Mackenzie wanted answers, and he was worried.
Although he’d gotten some answers from Nico.He still wasn’t sure what had happened that day.He’d been in the parking lot, thinking about Dean and the pregnancy and Jasper’s attack, when an angel had walked up to him.
Well, Nico wasn’t an angel.He was a bobcat shifter, as he’d told Mackenzie, and he’d spent his entire life in the forest.As curious as Mackenzie was about shifters and carriers now that he knew they existed, Nico was just as curious about humans and life outside the forest.It had made for a pleasant afternoon until Nico had to run home, and they’d exchanged phone numbers.They’d been texting every day, with Mackenzie having more questions about carriers and what he could do for Dean.He hadn’t told Nico about his brother, but he wanted to know how he could help.
Of course, the easiest way to find out how to do that would be to talk to Dean, but Dean had been busy.He’d reassured Mackenzie that both he and Jasper were okay, but that was all Mackenzie had gotten from him.Hopefully, that was about to change.
Mackenzie knocked on the door of the apartment where Dean and his team were staying.From what Dean had told him, most of his team members had moved out, and he probably would end up doing the same soon—if he hadn’t already.That was one of the questions Mackenzie had for him.He was sure that Dean was spending most of his time with Jasper now.
The door opened.Dean looked tired, but he smiled and gestured for Mackenzie to come in.Mackenzie quickly did so, looking up and down at his brother until Dean huffed.“I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?Because you weren’t fine the last time we were together.”
“I was freaking out.”
“And you’re not anymore?”Because Mackenzie was.
