Sin
Gael flops on my new-used couch, blowing out tired breath. We just finished moving all my shit into my new house. He pats the space beside him, so I sit next to him and he throws his arm over my shoulder, pulling me in close. “This is going to be good for us,” he promises, even though I have my doubts. Being apart from Gael has never been on my list of life goals, but I respect his need for space. He doesn’t have nearly as much stuff as I do and didn’t need help moving into his apartment, so I’m only vaguely aware of where it even is.
“This is going to be complete bullshit, but you can move in with me any time. The door’s open, and there’s a whole bedroom in the back for you.” I’m pretty sure he’ll decide to move in with me pretty quickly. We’re better together. We always have been.
“I don’t need a bedroom when your bed is big enough for three of us. You should use that backroom for your massive amount of clothes. It’s ridiculous that you have a whole wardrobe for every season.” His laughter takes out the sting of his accusation, and he kisses my temple affectionately.
“I’m clothing two people; of course I have a huge wardrobe,” I tease him back, plucking at the pair of shorts he borrowed from me today.
Gael laughs again, kissing my head. “It’s because you have a better sense of style than me. I’d look like a basic white guy if you left me to my own devices, and then how would we get laid?”
“That’s only a problem for you,” I snort.
Gael freezes for a moment, which makes me tense.
“I mean—” I don’t know how to finish that sentence.
“You don’t want to have sex?” he asks quietly.
“No. I like it. I just don’t…” Even though I love this guy, it’s still hard to confess that sex has no real draw for me unless he’s instigating it.
“You don’t what, Sin? Tell me,” he demands, tightening his arm around my shoulders.
“I don’t care about it. I told you I took that chick Mercy out. It was fine, but I don’t think I really like sex without you. Is that too weird?” I’ve never been insecure with Gael, but right now I’m feeling way more vulnerable and nervous than I think I’ve ever been.
Gael blows out a breath and a glance at his face reveals a deep sorrow there. “It’s not weird, Sin. Do you want me to stop sharing with you?”
“No!” I protest immediately. “Fuck no. I like playing with you. You can always share with me. Just don’t think I’m weird if I don’t want to fuck without you.”
Gael presses another, longer kiss to my hair, breathing deeply as he holds himself there before responding. “I will never think you’re weird, because if you are, then I am, too. You’re a part of me, and I refuse to dislike myself because of who I am. I love you.”
“I am pretty lovable,” I tease, hoping to make him smile again.
It works. His smile and laughter bathe me in security and joy. I shouldn’t have doubted myself. Our bond is unbreakable.
Present Day
Phineas
Mated. I’m finally mated. I’m surprised it was Sin first, but my heart knows it’s right. Finally. No one can order me to break up with him. No one can order me to forget him. No one can make me be unmated to my Sin.
I miss Gael, but I’m happy. So very happy.
“What’s got you smiling like an idiot?”
My grandfather’s voice startles me, causing me to jump and lose hold of the stack of boxes in my hands. I swing toward him, surprised to see him walking up my driveway from across the street. My stomach clenches, immediately anxious.
“I’m feeling happy,” I explain because I must. He asked me a question, and I am compelled to answer it.
He scowls at me. “What do you have to be happy about? Why are you carrying in a bunch of boxes?”
“I’m moving across town soon, and I’m happy about that,” I reply, and I swallow back all the other reasons for me to be happy, because he will hate me when he finds out that I’m mated to a man, and he will hate me more when he finds out that I’m mated to two men.
“Why are you moving across town? I gave you this house. This is where you live. What could possibly draw you away from your clan?” he demands, angry and looming larger as he stalks closer.
Fear closes my throat, but I’m compelled to answer. Why am I moving across town? Why? “I’m moving to get away from you,” I blurt out, immediately backing up and ducking, hiding behindmy arms to save my head from retribution. Still, the words won’t stop until I’ve answered all his questions. “Nothing is drawing me away. You’re going to push me out,” I wheeze, barely able to get the words past the choking fear in my throat.
“Why would I ever do that?” he growls, grabbing my hair and pushing me to my knees.
