“You didn’t try to dominate me.” His baffled expression almost set Peterlaughing.
“Did you want me to?” Peter couldn’t stop his gaze from sliding across Quain’s temptingly wetlips.
Quain wrinkled his nose. “Not necessarily, but I thought you would. I don’t think my lynx is more alpha than yourwolf.”
Peter sighed. His fingers clenched and unclenched from their spot on Quain’s hips. His mind flitting through ways to explain his problem. “My wolf isdamaged.”
“Damaged how?” Quain went still as if trying to decide whether to flee or remain straddlingPeter.
“When I was a mutant, all of my natural instincts were broken. Right now, my wolf is cautious and not eager to take charge of anything. He’s been beaten down too hard.” Peter struggled to explain the issue without making his wolf sound like a wimpymess.
“Oh, poor thing.” Quain ran his fingers through Peter’s hair in a soothing gesture. “How long ago were you changed back from yourmutation?”
Peter thought back. “About three monthsnow.”
“It’s still early. I wouldn’t worry yet. How many times have you shifted since?” Quain ran his hands over Peter’s head, petting in long calmingstrokes.
“Twice.” Peter shuddered as he recalled the painful event. A process that used to feel smooth and natural had become atorture.
“Whathappened?”
“Nothing specific.” Peter ran through the memory in his head. “With the mutation, I lost the connection with my wolf. I had difficulty changing. Once I transformed, all the other wolves scared me. I’m not sure why. No one acted aggressively. Even the alpha had been gentle.” The understanding look in Silver’s eyes had almost brokenhim.
“It could be because you lost confidence in your furry half. After all, your wolf didn’t protect you from mutation. Maybe subconsciously, you’re holding a grudge. I know I always expect my lynx to be smarter and faster than my human half. You probably expected your wolf to bestronger.”
“Maybe.” Peter pulled Quain closer. “I have better things to worry aboutnow.”
“Hmm, I might be a source of frustration, but hopefully notworry.”
“I can see where the frustration will come in.” Peter growled when Quain slid off hislap.
Quain laughed. “I’d like to get to know you a little before we bond. I’ve lived in isolation most of my life. It will take me some time to adjust to being with someone else. I never thought I’d find someone to spend my lifewith.”
“But you still want a mate, don’t you?” Panic streaked through Peter. Had his confession turned Quain away? Maybe he shouldn’t have admitted his weakness. Did it make him less in Quain’seyes?
“Yes!” Quain rushed to agree. “I definitely want you. I’m just not ready for sex rightaway.”
Peter relaxed. “That’s fine. Not everyone rushes into a physical relationship.” He couldn’t think of a single couple that didn’t, but he refused to push his mate. “I’ll accept as much of you as you want to give. Rushing into a relationship before we’re both ready doesn’t help either ofus.”
Quain’s bright smile made his honestyworthwhile.
“Good.”
A soft ring broke Peter’s focus on Quain’s eyes. He reluctantly got up to see who was calling. When he picked up the phone, hefrowned.
“What’swrong?”
“I don’t recognize thename.”
“Let me see. I gave your number to myfamily.”
Peter placed the phone in Quain’s imperiously outstretchedhand.
“It’s my dad.” Quain pressed the answer button. “Hello,Father.”
Peter couldn’t hear what Quain’s parentsaid.
“What do you mean where am I? I told you I was with my mate not ten minutes ago,” Quain said. “Yes, I’m going to stay with him. I’ll come by tomorrow so you can meet himthen.”
