There’s a question pressing on my mind. “How old are you?” I ask. Obviously he’s younger, but I’m not sure by how much.
The question only makes Abel hug himself more. He’d been kicked out of his Kettle a decade ago. My stomach sours. He had to be a teenager when that had happened.
I want to pull him back into my lap. “We’re not going to abandon you. We’re not going to throw you away.” I fight my anger towards his Kettle. I don’t want to scare him with how much I want to throat punch his family.
“Never,” Buckle agrees. “I don’t know what the fuck your family did to you, but we’re going to cherish you.” He takes my hand and squeezes.
“Exactly,” I choke out.
“I don’t trust Fate,” Abel says, barely above a whisper. “You’re both so sure, and I’mnot. My parents are Fated, but they’re not good for each other. All they do is fight. MaybeIbroke them. Maybe they’re happy since I’m not around. I don’t want to break you.” Finally, he looks up meeting mine then Buckle’s eyes.
A sob escapes my lips. Buckle trembles and I press a hand to his bicep hoping I can calm at least one of my mates.
“Let us prove to you Fate is right about us,” I say.
“Why? There’s nothing special about me. No reason for anyone to love me.”
A growl rumbles from Buckle. Abel scoots back again, eyes wide.
“Remember when we met?” Buckle asks.
Abel tries to hide his face again, but Buckle catches his chin before he can dip it against his knees. “Don’t hide.Please, don’t hide.”
Abel swallows and closes his eyes for a few breaths before nodding.
The three of us relax.
Buckle releases Abel’s chin. “I was lost in the stacks in my new home. Stubborn because I didn’t want to ask for help, but I wanted my romance fix.”
Abel snorts and nods. “You were muttering under your breath. Riley sent me over to ask if I could help.”
“The moment I heard your voice, my frazzle chipmunk calmed down.” Buckle chuckles. “Okay, I calmed down too. You were so sweet and led me to the right area. Even suggested a few books. I grabbed a huge stack, but I knew I’d make this a weekly thing. I had to see you. For us, touch is the only way to know our Fated. It’s why I had no idea until...”
Abel presses his hands to his face. “I was gonna eat you.”
“I think your hawk already trusts us,” I say.
“He does.”
I smile. “You were dressed as a fairy when we met,” I say.
Abel nibbles his bottom lip. “Riley likes us to dress up for all of October for Halloween. You were dressed...” He looks away and swallows.
I give him a cheeky grin. “You liked the outfit?”
He nods.
Buckle gives me a look and I lean into him. “I was in a crop top and shorts.”
Abel sighs as his shoulders sag. “I wish I had that type of courage.”
“Babe, you can wear whatever you want. Well, at least around us. I don’t know your work dress code.”
“Sweetness, how about we eat and talk about random shit?” I hold out my hand, hoping he doesn’t shy away.
He takes my offering and my eyes flutter closed at the electric zing. A soft whimper comes from him.
“Can I hug you? Both of you?” Buckle asks.
Surprising me, Abel nods, then launches himself into Buckle’s arms. I follow suit, loving both of my mates in my arms.
