Macario's Salvation [Milson Valley 10] (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove)

by Jo Penn

  “To get a bagel. Want to come?” Blazh asked.

  “Bagel? The ones I like? Not the ones from that fancy pants restaurant this afternoon, right?” Fale pulled a face.

  “I was going to pick you up one since you were having fun at cocktail hour,” Mac explained.

  “I don’t like cocktail hour.” Blazh crossed his arms and pouted. “Lacy said I can only have mocktails.”

  “I’m hungry.” Zander frowned. “I want to go out.”

  As Zander never wanted to go out, when he did it was a rule that he could go. Unless there was a danger, of course.

  Fale wrapped an arm around Mac’s waist. “You were going to get me a bagel?”

  “Yep. Fale, this is my brother Zander. Zan, this is Fale—”

  “Your mate, Fale.” Fale interrupted.

  The pair said hello, then Mac made Zander put on a light weight jacket, hat, and sunglasses. Another rule was Zander had to be disguised in some way. Satisfied no one could identify his brother, Mac led the group over to Tobias, who was watching from by the side of the garage. As the senior security guard, Tobias was privy to a lot more information than most of the others and had a lot more control.

  “It’s a bit late for going out,” Tobias said calmly, eying them all suspiciously.

  “Mac wants to get me a bagel and Zander hasn’t tried one!” Fale grinned. “Do we need your permission?”

  “No, unfortunately, in this instance, you don’t. Though I can just take Zander and make everyone else remain here.”

  Zander shied back from Tobias, and Mac stepped protectively in front of his brother. Blazh took Zan’s hand.

  “Shit, right, sorry. Kader, get the eight-seater Mercedes.”

  While Tobias organized his security guards, Mac listened to Fale, Zan, and Blazh talk and knew Fale was more than comfortable here with his family. That was a good thing, and it was nice Fale didn’t carry a grudge from earlier. Mac probably needed to address what happened, but he was beginning to think it was all his fault so best to think before speaking from now on.

  Vinn ambled over, dragging Ran with him, the young wolf shifter covered from head to toe in mud and leaves.

  “What happened?” Blazh asked, picking leaves off Ran.

  “Got the quad bikes stuck in the mud. Drax is getting the last two bikes out, which is more difficult because Tristian is arguing with him the entire time and Adrian’s freaked out by how dark it’s gotten.” Vinn rolled his eyes. “And of course Luka is laughing his ass off and stirring everyone up. I’m not sure going out right now is a good idea—”

  “I’m hungry,” Zander sighed.

  “There’s food in the kitchen,” Vinn said firmly.

  “I want pizza,” Zander said just as firmly.

  “No, you want a pizza bagel. They’re fabulous. They have meat lovers, vegetarian, and supreme,” Fale said excitedly. “Oh, yeah, I’ll get one, too! Would you like us to pick you up some, Vinn? Ran?”

  “Oh, yeah, that sounds good. Can I come, too?” Ran asked.

  “No, you can get the tow line while I find the hammer.”

  While Vinn and Ran went off to do that, the car was ready, and they all piled in, along with Kader and Mary, the security guards. Whenever he went out, Zander glued himself to the window and stared out in fascination.

  Arriving at the bagel place, which was a little shop tucked in between a convenience store and a nice looking café, they waited until Tobias was convinced it was safe, then they trooped inside.

  “This is so much fun,” Fale whispered to Mac. “I didn’t think we’d do things like this.”

  “Oh? Why?” Mac tugged Blazh back from the display window where the sprite was pressing his face.

  “Well, I didn’t think you’d take your brothers out for a bagel run, and I wasn’t sure this was your sort of place.”

  Mac turned to look at his mate. “What do you mean by that, Fale?”

  Fale’s eyes widened in alarm, and he waved a hand in front of him. “Oh no! I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just that you’re smart and savvy, I couldn’t see you hanging out in my favorite bagel shop. Every time I saw you out, you were in the Village at some fancy restaurant…I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make it sound like you’re a snob or anything.”

  “Mac’s not a snob!” Blazh giggled. “You should see him when the footballs playing! He paints his face and chugs beer. He’s even worn a nachos hat! I could be a snob if I wanted.” Blazh stuck his nose in the air, then laughed, ruining his impression.

  “I guess there’s still a lot I have to learn about my mate.” Fale pulled Mac over to the menu board.

  They ordered a lot of bagels and sat down to eat. Mac had chosen a supreme pizza bagel and would definitely be coming back here again. Zander tentatively tried his—swiss cheese, pastrami, and pickles. After one bite, Zan ate quickly and asked Blazh to order him another. It was fun and got Mac’s mind off how he was going to have to wreck his mate’s career.

  He liked how Fale sat as close to him as possible and was always touching him. After a while, he found himself reaching out to touch the fae, too. It was funny how he used to like taking his dates to fine dining restaurants but was having a much better time here with Fale, and though he loved his brothers, he’d gladly shoo them away to get some time alone with his mate.

  He realized he was falling for Fale—no, he was actually in love with the fae. It wasn’t difficult to fall for the man, Fale was warm, friendly and so very loving.

  “We’ll have to do this again,” Mac murmured in Fale’s ear. “Just the two of us next time. And a movie after.”

  Fale’s eyes went dreamy. “I would love that.”

  By the time they got home, Zander went straight to his room, closing the door and locking it. Blazh was jittering around, touching everything and talking a hundred miles an hour which Layke threatened to sedate the youngun for, and Fale told Lacy everything that happened precisely.

  A sharp pain across Mac’s chest and shortness of breath had him coughing. It felt like his head was going to splinter apart. Vicus immediately helped Mac sit down, Lacy rushing over to assist, but by then he was in so much pain he was gasping for air and was sure he was having a heart attack.

  “I need to perform surgery and remove part of the lining and—” Layke said sharply.

  “No,” Fale exclaimed loudly and brushed Mac’s hair back from his forehead that was covered in sweat. “Macario, will you do me the honor of letting me claim and bond with you?”

  Oh crap. Mac didn’t want the beginning of their mateship to be this way.

  “No, I’m sorry, Fale.”

  Mac closed his eyes and let the darkness take him over.

  Chapter Ten

  Mac sat quietly at the kitchen table fiddling with his phone. No one was speaking, and every single member of the family was there, except one.

  Fale. Eber told Mac, once Mac regained consciousness a few hours later, that Fale looked utterly destroyed when Mac didn’t accept him. There wasn’t anything Mac could do about that. He hadn’t meant to hurt Fale, it was the last thing he wanted to do, but Mac had been placed in what he felt was an impossible situation.

  With both Layke and Lacy’s healing gifts and medication, they had provided Mac with a little time before surgery was required. He’d been advised, strongly, to accept his mate before he drove Fale away completely if he hadn’t already.

  Again, that hadn’t been Macario’s intention.

  “I will speak then if no one else wishes to address what occurred last night.” Vicus put aside his knife and fork, barely having touched his fruit salad and frittata. “You rejected your mate, Macario. I wish to know why. Do you want to die? Is Fale not what you want?”

  Tiredly, Mac let all the hurt, anger, frustration, and helplessness show. “I did not wish to reject Fale. I’ve grown to care about him a great deal…more than care.”

  “Then why?” Jayce exclaimed. “He’s crushed. He said he’ll still claim and bond so
you’ll live, but he’ll leave so you aren’t burdened with him and can have a happy life. Don’t do that to Fale, Macario, he deserves a real mateship. And don’t die, okay?”

  “Where is he?” Mac asked quietly.

  “In the guest room Deakin has marked as twelve.”

  “I marked it as twelve because it is on floor one and is room number two. It is straightforward and logical.” Deakin huffed. “Don’t you like your mate, Mac?”

  “I love Fale.” He had fallen hard for the man. “I’m going to talk to him about all this…Layke, can I speak to you privately?”

  “Hell no. You’ve got something to say, tell all of us,” Eber snarled. “Get your head out of your ass, Mac. You’ve got a fucking fantastic mate and a chance to live. So don’t go to Layke asking how long you have and how to die peacefully because I won’t let you go quietly. Got it?”

  “That goes for all of us,” River said with feeling.

  Mac sighed heavily, too tired and upset at what happened last night to bother being nice.

  “Fine. Layke, I need more Viagra.”

  Everyone stilled. Deakin’s mouth fell open, Blazh’s eyes bugged out, and Zander ducked his head.

  “I see. You are having difficulty due to the treatment chemicals and your condition?” Layke asked.

  “Yep. So you tell me how last night I was meant to get it up while I could barely even breathe, E,” Mac snapped. “I couldn’t bond with him, do you get it now?”

  “Oh shit.” River winced. “So all this time you haven’t…”

  Mac shrugged. “There was no one I was interested in enough until Fale. Layke gave me a tablet a year ago which I have now used.” He glared at his family. “I wanted to claim and bond with my mate without it being about him doing it to save my life. Maybe I wanted it to be special.”

  “It is a dilemma. Give me ten minutes, Macario.” Layke hurried away, muttering to himself.

  “Oh, darling, I am so sorry. But I’m sure Fale will be so happy you—Fale, darling, come join us. Mac has something to tell you.”

  “Thanks, Lacy, but Second Visij is just arriving to collect me for training. I just wanted to let you know, so I didn’t mess up the schedules.”

  “We should talk.” Mac turned his back on his family and approached Fale. “Let’s go into my office—”

  “I’d prefer not to. I’m glad you’re feeling better. Excuse me.”

  Mac didn’t blame Fale for the cold shoulder routine and even applauded the way his mate was dealing with the situation. Of course, that didn’t help right now, and as Fale walked out of the kitchen, Mac had to hurry to catch up. He felt like he was doing that a lot with Fale, rushing to play catch up.

  Grabbing Fale’s arm, he spun the fae around and placed the man’s back to the nearest wall. Mac was sick of playing catch up.

  He took Fale’s lips in a kiss that would put a stop to any doubts over whether Mac wanted to be with the man. He’d been falling for Fale the moment the fae turned up at the Estate with Eber and climbed into bed with Mac. He loved the man’s silky soft dark hair, his always happy, warm eyes, and his genuine smile. He loved the simplicity and openness of his mate.

  Fale wasn’t complicated. He didn’t make it hard for Mac to relax and he didn’t play games and hold grudges. And he loved with everything in him. Mac wanted that, to experience it, to have and give that type of love.

  But only with Fale.

  “Oh, wow.” Fale touched his lips.

  “I’m sorry I hurt you last night, sweetie, and I understand why you believe I rejected you—”

  “Macario.” Layke’s timing sucked. “The tablet you require is at the Armstrong coven. I will be back soon with it.”

  “Actually, Fale and I will come with you.”

  “Really?” Fale looked like he was going to burst with excitement. But that quickly changed. “Wait. I was really hurt, Macario. This is too important for you to say sorry without an explanation.”

  “It is, yes. Do you remember that problem I told you about that requires a pill to help?” Judging by Fale’s blank expression, Mac guessed not. “We used the only tablet the other night. I couldn’t have bonded with you last night, and I was in no condition to explain any of this.”

  Fale looked shocked, then he flushed and threw his arms around Mac’s neck, nearly toppling them both.

  “I’m sorry! I’m so, so sorry! I didn’t even think. Please forgive me—”

  “Sweetie, there’s nothing to forgive. I’m sorry, too. Sorry I hurt you. But, if you want to ask me again…”

  Mac received another blank look and had to chuckle. They’d learn each other’s cues and ways, he was sure.

  “Oh! Okay. Macario, will you do me the honor—”

  “I have to be at work soon, Macario. If you want to come with me to collect the Viagra—”

  “Layke, we’re having a moment! Give me two minutes,” Mac exclaimed.

  “Fine, fine, get on with it.” Layke waved a hand dismissively and held up his phone.

  “Layke! Go away!” Mac said, exasperated.

  Layke left huffily, both Mac and Fale laughing.

  “I’m so excited to do this—you’re going to accept me this time, aren’t you?” Fale asked.

  “Yeah. I accept you, Fale, and I love you.”

  “Oh…” Fale quickly wiped a tear away, still grinning. “I love you, too, Macario.”

  They kissed, and if Layke hadn’t interrupted again a minute later, Fale would have climbed Mac’s body and sucked his tongue out of his head. As it was, the fae was half way up Mac when Layke came over tapping his watch and telling Mac how precious his time was.

  “I didn’t get to ask. It’s very important I do.”

  “You did ask, and I accepted, sweetie.” Mac steered his mate to the front door and grabbed them both jackets.

  “Well, the first time you rejected me—”

  “I explained that—”

  “Let me ask!” Fale said shrilly.

  Mac paused at the front door and held his hands up. He liked how his mate could stand up for himself.

  “Sure, sweetie. Go ahead.”

  Taking a deep breath, Fale smiled softly. “Macario Aston, will you do me the honor of letting me claim and bond with you?”

  Pulling his mate into his arms, Mac pressed a kiss to Fale’s lips. “Yes, and it is my honor.”

  “I’m waiting.” Layke tapped his foot impatiently.

  Mac didn’t even bother glaring at his brother. He kissed Fale once more, loving how Fale plastered himself against Mac, Fale so excited he could barely sit still.

  Another thing he loved about his mate, Fale’s insatiable excitement.

  Yeah, Mac just loved everything about his Fale.

  “Well, looks like you don’t need me. I’ll have a quick chat with Lacy.” Second Visij passed them in the doorway. “Congratulations, both of you.”

  “Thank you, Second Visij!” Fale sighed happily.

  Mac took his mate’s hand and led them to the waiting car.

  * * * *

  Macario loved him. Fale sighed happily and squeezed his mate’s hand as they walked into the Armstrong coven. He couldn’t wait to see everything!

  Fortunately, despite Layke trying to hurry them up, Mac took the time to introduce Fale to the coven leaders and lots of the witches and wizards. He really liked Lady Deliah and her grandsons Mason and Lawrence. There was another grandson, but he was busy planting a garden.

  Fale noticed that Layke was tense the entire time, and when Lady Deliah asked why he had taken himself off the schedule, he became argumentative. Apparently, Layke and Lacy also gave their time to the coven to teach healing techniques and to help when low on healing staff. Lady Deliah merely quirked a brow at Layke and said she hoped he returned soon.

  Fale thought the coven leader was very diplomatic and warm, and she was happy to include Fale in the class for learning herbal treatments.

  “I actually wished to ask if it were possible
for my mate to use his massaging skills here to assist in the treatment of injuries and illness. He has been a great help to me in relieving a lot of the pain build-up and muscle soreness from my illness,” Mac said as they were having afternoon tea with Lady Deliah and Mason.

  Surprised and very touched, Fale squished up next to Mac on the sofa they shared, eager to listen to what the leaders said. But whether they agreed or not, he had fallen even more for his mate. Macario didn’t have to ask this, it was a selfless thing to do, and so very thoughtful. It showed Mac had listened and cared about Fale and what he wanted.

  “That is actually an excellent idea,” Lady Deliah nodded, tone thoughtful. “We spend time treating with medicines, tonics, remedies, and healing, but massaging will help the body in other ways. Yes, this is a very good idea. We must talk more, Fale. I will have my assistant contact you.”

  “Really? Oh…that is great.” Fale felt star struck.

  Chuckling, Mac took Fale’s hand in his and squeezed gently. “Have your assistant contact me. I will be setting up Fale’s contact details and if he is interested, a business website.”

  “Ah…” Fale just stared at his mate until his mind caught up. “I’m…am I ready?”

  “Yep. I’ve read all your transcripts, and the studies you will do with the Armstrong coven will only strengthen your skills. But we’ll discuss that and what you want.” Mac smiled, and Fale felt they were the only two in the world with the way his mate looked at him. Reaching out, Macario lightly stroked Fale’s cheek. “I don’t want you to give up what you love to do, sweetie. Unfortunately, you can’t work at the City Day Spa anymore, and I’m sorry that it was involvement with me that has caused you to have to sacrifice—”

  “Oh, no, never think that! I’d much rather have you than the day spa, though I’ll always have fond memories of the place because that’s where we met. But I want you, only you. And maybe I could be of help at the hospital where Layke and Lacy work, too.”

  “That sounds good.”

  They kissed, and Fale would have climbed onto his mate’s lap but was reminded there were others in the room. He flushed happily.