Mainly, he needed to be able to talk about Alec. Scott had been avoiding the conversation, and he didn't know why. He’d had no problem telling Chance about Alec and couldn't understand why he was having a hard time finding the words to tell Quintus.
Alec had played a significant role in him becoming a doctor, and he was proud of the work he did. But losing Alec had also made him stop believing in eternal love. Scott hadn't expected Quintus to literally walk into his life and change his views on love.
Quintus moaned and moved closer to him, putting his head in the crux of his neck. He wrapped an arm around his mate, being mindful of the welts on his kitty’s back and shoulder from his flogger.
“What are you thinking about? I can tell your mind is miles away.”
“I was wondering what you would want to do for the next two days.”
Quintus leaned back and looked at him, as if he knew he wasn’t telling the whole truth. “Movies,” Quintus said.
“You want to go to the movies?”
“No, I’m not ready to leave this apartment yet.”
“Okay, so what do you want to do?”
“I want us to stay in bed for the next two days and watch every movie you own.”
“I like that idea, but there’s just one problem.”
“What’s that?”
“We will need to eat and….”
“Nope, we’ll order in. The good thing about living in a town filled with shifters is that they deliver fast and whatever you want.”
“All right, so movies and ordering in. Anything else?”
“No, that’s all I can handle for now. I just need to be close to you. I’m not ready to face the real world yet.”
Scott leaned down and kissed him on his forehead. “Then we won’t until you’re ready.”
“Thank you.” Quintus sighed and placed his head back on his neck.
Later that day, they got out of bed and Scott insisted on them having breakfast or brunch. He wanted to make sure Quintus ate healthy after the night they’d had. He was sitting on the couch, waiting for his cheetah to pick a movie.
“I had no idea you were such a Braxton Boroson fan.” He turned and looked at Scott with his eyes as big as saucers. “Are you two related? I mean when you said your name, I didn’t put it together. I was more focused on you being Vladimir Dracul’s grandson and all. But is Braxton your brother?”
“Um…he’s my bearer,” Scott blurted out.
Quintus looked at the cover of the movie he’d picked that his bearer had starred in and then back at Scott.
“Are you bullshitting me? I get we age slower than humans and all, but he looks way too young to be your dad. He looks like he’s in his forties.”
"I guess I should let you in on everyone else in my family. I was saving this for another time." He extended a hand to Quintus who took it. Scott pulled him onto his lap. "So, my bearer is Braxton Boroson. He isbonded to my sire, Armand Dracul, who uses the last name Drake and is a former state senator, who will be running for President soon. Both my sister and brother are also in the Hollywood scene. Roman is in public relations. TaNia is an actress. And before I became a doctor, I was on my way to becoming a rock star, but things went a bit different than I expected.”
"Oh gods, why didn't I see it?" He got off Scott's lap and started pacing the room. "How could I have missed the resemblance? I mean, I've watched every one of his movies. My mom is a huge fan of your dad." Quintus stopped and looked at him. "They aren't going to like me. I mean, I don't match up. Your family is fucking powerful, and I'm just a cheetah shifter….”
Oh fuck, this isn’t good. He’s freaking out. Maybe it was too soon to tell him anything about my family.
"Stop it right there," Scott said, getting up off the couch and pulling Quintus to him. "I don't ever want you to think about yourself like that. You are not just a shifter. You are my fated mate, the man who is my equal. The man who will one day give me the ten cubs he wants. The man who has taken over my thoughts and heart. You're a good man, Quintus. I admire your strength so much. You astound me every day. And as for my family...trust me they will like you. Hell, I'm sure you will be the most favored once they meet you.”
Quintus leaned back to look up at him, Scott hated the uncertainty he saw in his eyes.
“Are you sure?”
"I am," Scott assured him. Leaning down, he kissed him, hoping to dispel his mate's worry. But it also made Scott realize he couldn't yet tell Quintushe was a demigod.
