He had a tendency to keep to himself, but I would say his presence was a big step. It had taken him a while to adjust to being able to walk and live freely among others, but once he decided to stay permanently, Maxime offered him a job as a security guard. The guy was solid and strong and had mastered the art of intimidation. It was the perfect job for him as faras I could tell. It allowed him to be included as he kept a watchful eye without feeling forced to interact. I got it, I really did. Until I came here, I preferred to hang on the edges of society, too.
Things had been tense for a while between Bryan and me. It had been a balance of giving him space, while also trying to apologize and promise that I would never invade his privacy the way that I had. It took some time, but we finally came to a place of mutual understanding. He would probably never be my BFF, but then it was hard to imagine anyone cozying up to the minotaur with the wall he built around him. Still, I was glad he felt comfortable enough to stay and found himself a part of our eclectic group.
Despite my desire to stay by Rudy’s side all night, Maxime pulled me away to act as an interpreter when needed. I loved that my ability was no longer some weird thing I kept to myself, but something that was respected, appreciated, and useful. My ability to communicate made me an asset and not a liability, as I’d been back in the human world. Though I still took breaks from being around others to find some of the critters native to the island that I had befriended.
Peopling didn’t bother me as much here, especially since the folks I talked to were far more interesting than plain old humans, but the social batteries still ran low at times. Luckily, when I was with Rudy, he charged my batteries right back up. We could exist together in comfortable silence when either of us needed it, or wecould talk or fuck or cuddle or run through the woods. Spending time with him was my favorite part of any day, no matter what it looked like. Rudy was my other half, my partner, my mate.
As much as I loved who I was with Rudy, I was happy to have carved out a space for myself by using my language skills and finding my own identity, too. Rudy’s friends accepted me as his mate, but it was more than that. These amazing beings around me were no longer just Rudy’s friends, they were mine. They were my family. A family that wouldn’t dismiss me or try to fix me. They loved me for who I was. I’d never felt so at home as I did here. With them and with the incredible being I loved.
The music died down, and Maxime took the microphone on the small stage they’d set up by the pool. “Thank you all for being here to help us celebrate our first anniversary. Creature Comforts has been a dream for a long time, and I am so thankful to the group of amazing beings that helped me bring this dream to life.”
I cheered along with everyone else, feeling the pride and emotion bubbling up in Rudy, who found me and stood at my side. Putting my hand in his, I gave it a squeeze.
“Please help me give a warm welcome to our special guest, who’s here to help us celebrate. Denver Greene.”
“What?” No. It couldn’t be. Or maybe it could. The man walked on stage with his guitar, wearing his recognizable pork-pie hat with a red ribbon around it. “No fucking way! How did they get Denver Greene to come here?”
Rudy looked down at me. “He’s been here before.”
“He has? Why? Does he know what this place is?”
My mate laughed softly. “He does. His husband is over there.”
I followed the direction of Rudy’s gaze to the saltwater pool, where a man with long red hair leaned against the side of the pool, head resting on folded arms as he stared up at the musician with the utmost adoration. Water splashed behind him, and I saw the wave of a large blue tail! A tail!
“Is he a… merman?”
Rudy grinned and gave a nod. “Yeah, he’s an ambassador or something important; I don’t really know.”
“A merman. Fuck, that’s cool.”
My werewolf gave a little growl as I felt a twinge of jealousy seep out of him, making me laugh. “Not as cool as you, big guy.”
His jealousy waned, and I pushed up on my toes to press a kiss to his furry cheek.
As I listened to the musician, I suddenly heard all his lyrics in a new way. When he sang about his love in the sea, it wasn’t metaphorical. Damn. How many other celebrities were out there living double lives? I guess I was in the perfect place tofind out.
When the song turned to a beautiful love story about hearts entwined together, Rudy stepped in front of me and held out his hand. He surprised me by pulling me to the center of the dance floor. Rudy had never been one to be in the spotlight. He spent his entire life trying not to call too much attention to himself. Here he was, boldly wearing leathers with more skin showing than he ever did, and he purposely brought me into the center. Damn incredible.
He leaned down and whispered in my ear. “Now, it’s my turn to show everyone who my mate is.”
Warmth filled me as I melted against him. Rudy’s arm wrapped around my back, holding me in place as he held the other hand in his, and I placed my free hand on his chest. We danced to the slow song, our gazes locked onto each other’s. He filled my entire vision. It was only him. No matter the others around us, or the lights that shone. No musician, no merman, vampire, or minotaur.
It all disappeared until Rudy became my entire world. And he was. Without the family I’d found, without a job that allowed me to feel useful, without a home that helped me discover who I was, I could be endlessly happy as long as I had him. That I had all those other things on top of it was a bonus.
There was so much love and adoration pouring through the bond, I thought I might float away if Rudy didn’t hold me in his warm embrace. He leaned down and kissed me. Kissed me so deeply and thoroughly,I forgot how to breathe. Cheers broke out around us, making it feel as if this celebration belonged to us and not to the hotel. In this moment, it truly did.
With his thumb brushing along my cheek, Rudy put his mouth next to my ear and whispered so low only I could hear it. “How am I doing?”
“I’m so fucking proud of you, Rudy.”
His tongue flicked over my earlobe, and he asked again, his voice low, “Howam I doing?”
I hummed at his breathy words in my ear. The love I felt from him now carried heat with it, too. Heat that rushed through me in a tidal wave. I pushed into his mind to keep my response between us. “Oh, you’ve been a very good boy, Wolfie.”
“And my reward?”
“Yours. All yours.”
Rudy stepped away from me, his eyes glowing pink. He threw his head back and let out a loud, triumphant howl. It had a different tone than the one I’d heard in the mine, the one that told me he’d found me. It was brighter, fuller now, not tinged with pain and fear. I felt the release that came with it as if it were my own. To let go. To let go here in front of everyone and know he would be okay.
When his eyes met mine again, he gave me a devilish grin that made my blood boil and my heart stir. I simply nodded. Whatever he was thinking, I wassodown for it. It was erotic as hell when he got that possessive look in his eye. Wolfie grabbed me andthrew me over his shoulder. A loud laugh popped out of me in surprise as I braced myself by holding onto his hips. Damn, did I have a good view of his ass in these tight leather pants!Yumm.
Then he was running, as laughter and cheers followed behind us. I didn’t have it in me to care that everyone watched me getting hauled off, knowing what was about to happen. I didn’t care because I loved how wanted and desired Rudy made me feel. It was sexy and exciting, and I never expected to feel the kind of desperate passion I felt with him.
Whether I took the lead or he did, we balanced each other out. Passionate and tender, fiery and sweet. There was enough trust between us to be whatever we wanted to be to each other. Our bond only solidified it.
With moons and mines, forests and basements, or broken doors and broken beds, wherever our future took us, we would face it together. Me, my man, and my werewolf.
