Ryan’s hands unclenched slowly. He looked down at them like they belonged to someone else. “So I just have to trust you. Trust that you’re handling it. That you know what you’re doing.”
“Yes.”
“Even though you’re a lion who can turn into a person.” Ryan’s laugh was soft and sad. “Even though this entire situation is insane and I’m pretty sure I’m still in shock.”
“Even though.” Grayson reached out and took one of Ryan’s hands. The skin was cold, the fingers trembling slightly. “I know this is a lot. I know you’re scared. But I promise you, we’re handling this. The hyenas won't get near those dogs. Won't get near you.”
Ryan looked down at their joined hands. His thumb brushed over Grayson’s knuckles, the touch light and probably unconscious. “I need you to promise me something.”
“What?”
“The dogs.” Ryan’s voice softened. “I need you to promise me they’re really safe. That this isn't just something you’re saying to make me feel better. That those animals are actually going to be okay.”
Something tightened in Grayson’s throat. His mate had just learned that monsters were real. Had watched Grayson transform into a lion and fight hyenas in the backyard. Had been told he was a mate, a concept he’d never even known existed. And his first concern, the thing he needed promised, wasn't his own safety. It was the safety of the dogs.
“I promise,” Grayson said. The words came out rough, scraped raw by the emotion behind them. “Those dogs will never go back to that life. They’ll heal. They’ll find homes with people who will treat them right. I’ll make sure of it.”
Ryan’s shoulders dropped. The tension that had been holding him rigid bled away, leaving him looking exhausted. “Okay. Okay, I believe you.”
“Not yourself,” Grayson said. The realization settled over him like a weight. “You didn’t ask me to promise you’d be safe. You asked about the dogs.”
“Well, yeah.” Ryan looked up at him, confusion written across his features. “I mean you already said you’d protect me. Multiple times. But the dogs can’t protect themselves. They need someone to make sure they’re okay.” He paused, his brow furrowing. “That’s weird, isn't it? That I’m more worried about them than me?”
“No.” Grayson pulled Ryan closer, eliminating the space between them. His mate came easily, his body fitting against Grayson’s like it belonged there. “It’s not weird. It’s who you are.”
Ryan’s face pressed against Grayson’s shoulder. His breath came warm through the fabric of the shirt. “I’m still freaking out. Just so you know. About all of it. The shifter thing and the mate thing and the fact that there are hyenas who want to hurt me. I’m just really tired, and my brain feels like mush.”
“I know.” Grayson’s hand moved up to cup the back of Ryan’s neck. “Let’s get some rest and deal with this tomorrow.”
Chapter Nine
Ryan stirred against him, his breath warming the fabric of Grayson’s shirt. His fingers had twisted into the material at some point, holding on like Grayson might disappear if he let go. The exhaustion that had pulled at Ryan moments ago seemed to be fading, replaced by something else. Something that made his breathing pick up, made his body press closer.
“I know I won’t be able to sleep,” Ryan said against Grayson’s shoulder. His voice came out rough. “Every time I close my eyes I see you changing. See the hyenas. See everything that happened.”
Grayson’s hand moved down Ryan’s back in slow circles. The muscles there were knotted with tension, rigid under his palm. His mate needed to relax, needed to let go of the fear still coiling through his system.
“Then don't close your eyes,” Grayson said.
Ryan pulled back enough to look at him. The fear scent had faded to almost nothing, replaced by something headier. His pupils were dilated, his lips slightly parted. “What am I supposed to do instead?”
Grayson’s hand slid lower, settling on Ryan’s hip. The heat of his body burned through the thin fabric of his jeans. “Whatever you need.”
Ryan’s tongue darted out to wet his lips. Grayson tracked the movement, his lion rumbling with satisfaction at the way Ryan’s pulse jumped in his throat. His mate wanted this. Wanted him. Even after everything he’d seen, everything he’d learned.
“I need to stop thinking,” Ryan said. His hands moved up to frame Grayson’s face, fingers trembling slightly against his jaw. “I need my brain to shut up for five minutes. Can you do that? Make me stop thinking?”
Grayson kissed him and swallowed the small gasp that escaped Ryan’s throat. His mate's mouth opened immediately, letting Grayson in. The taste of Ryan flooded Grayson’s senses, familiar now but no less addictive. Ryan made a sound low in his throat, something needy and desperate, and pressed closer.
The kiss turned hungry fast. Ryan’s fingers dug into Grayson’s shoulders, his body arching into the contact. Grayson’s hand tightened on his hip, holding him in place while he mapped Ryan’s mouth with his tongue. His mate was falling apart already, his breathing ragged, small sounds escaping between kisses.
Grayson walked Ryan backward until his legs hit the bed. Ryan went down easily, pulling Grayson with him. The mattress dipped under their combined weight. Grayson settled between Ryan’s thighs, his hips pressing down. Ryan’s erection was obvious through his jeans, hard and straining against the fabric.
“God,” Ryan breathed. His head fell back against the pillow, exposing his throat. “You’re really good at the making-me-stop-thinking thing.”
Grayson’s mouth moved to Ryan’s jaw, trailing kisses along the line of it. The stubble there scratched against his lips. Ryan’s pulse hammered under Grayson’s tongue when he reached the hollow of his throat. The trust in that gesture made something fierce and possessive coil in Grayson’s gut.
Ryan’s hands fumbled between them, reaching for Grayson’s shirt. He yanked at the fabric, pulling it up. Grayson leaned back enough to strip it off. Ryan’s eyes went dark, tracking over the exposed skin. His fingers traced down Grayson’s torso, mapping the muscles there.
