Normally, he wouldn’t have thought anything about it.Yes, it was odd considering the situation, but it was also nice not to be treated like an enemy.That wasn’t what Nic focused on, though.No, he was more focused on the scent of his mate.
He blinked.Tamsin’s eyes were wide, and both of them seemed frozen.Tamsin knew, then.There was no way he didn’t.
Nic cleared his throat and took a step back.He glanced at Devon and Ryan, who were softly talking and probably hadn’t realized something was happening.That was good.Considering the situation, Nic wasn’t going to say anything about Tamsin being his mate.If Tamsin wanted people to know, he’d have to tell them himself.
Nic was still a prisoner.He might not be executed, but nothing would change the fact that he’d betrayed his only friend and had almost gotten the village destroyed.No one would want him as a mate.He wouldn’t make things awkward for Tamsin, not when he could avoid it.
Even though he felt like crying.
* * * *
TAMSIN WONDERED IFthis was what being in shock felt like.Was he in shock?He didn’t know.He just knew that the man in front of him was his mate, something he hadn’t seen coming.
He could never have imagined that his mate would be a Kudlak.He wasn’t sure how he felt about it, or how he felt about the fact that Nic was a prisoner.Honestly, he wasn’t sure what to think about anything right now.His mind was spinning, and he was trying hard not to make what was happening obvious.Nic had to know they were mates, but Devon and Ryan?It would be best for them not to find out until Nic and Tamsin had the time to talk.
Which they would have since Nic was a prisoner.
Tamsin’s mate was a prisoner.He was locked up because he’d been helping Parrish.He’d been on the wrong side.
But he wasn’t anymore.
Tamsin couldn’t afford to freak out right now.He’d have to wait until he was home alone.For now, he was here for a reason.He needed to get to know his mate.He needed to get answers out of him.Their connection could make that easier or more complicated.Tamsin didn’t know yet, but he was going to find out.
He took a step back to give Nic the opportunity to grab the tray.He’d made the food himself, and it was still warm.He hoped Nic would enjoy it, but maybe he’d think that Tamsin was trying to poison him or something.There was no way to know what Nic thought of the Vila, but everyone knew that Kudlaks didn’t like anyone but themselves.They didn’t even live in clans like Krsniks and Vila did.They were loners.
Was Nic?Because when Parrish had attacked, it had looked like he had a lot of supporters.Did they all live together?That didn’t sound right, but things had changed over the decades.Tamsin certainly had.
He cleared his throat.“I’ll be the one to take care of you from now on,” he told Nic.“I’ll bring you food and anything else you might need.”
Nic nodded.He wasn’t saying anything about their bond, which was a relief but also made Tamsin wonder what he thought of it.He wished they were alone.He could have asked, then.
But he could feel Devon watching him.What would Devon think if he knew about the bond?Would he be happy for Nic?Would he worry about Tamsin?Devon and Tamsin weren’t exactly friends.They knew each other and lived in the same village, and they were part of the same clan, but neither of them had been here long.Theclanhadn’t been here long.They were all still learning how to live together.
“We should probably go,” Ryan said, pushing away from the wall.He moved toward Devon, who leaned against him as soon as they were close enough.
Devon was watching Nic with a frown on his face.“We can stay awhile longer if you want, Nic,” he offered.
Nic waved him away.“You’ve already wasted enough of your time here.Go and spend time with your mate.”
Devon’s frown deepened, but he nodded.“All right.You know that you can reach out to me if you need anything, right?”
Nic shook his head.“There’s no need for you to do that.I’ll be fine.”
“Maybe, but still.If you need anything, let me know.”Devon turned to Tamsin.“You’re not going to hurt him, are you?”
Tamsin wouldn’t have dreamed of doing that even if Nic hadn’t been his mate.“Vila aren’t violent.You don’t have to worry about me doing anything to Nic.I’m just here to make sure he’s fed and has everything he needs.”
“Except freedom.”
“I’m fine, Devon,” Nic insisted.“And I’m here because of something I did.I deserve to be locked up.”
Devon opened his mouth, probably to say that wasn’t true, but Ryan squeezed his arm and shook his head.Devon still didn’t look happy, but he followed Ryan out the door, leaving Tamsin and Nic alone.Ryan closed the door, and the only thing left in the room was silence.
For a moment, Tamsin focused on that.He could hear the wind outside, Nic’s breathing, and the low volume of the TV.He had questions, and he was sure Nic had more, but he wasn’t sure where to start.
“So,” he said.
Nic shook his head and moved away.“So nothing.”
