by Balik, Shea
He had pulled Kassian into his arms, refusing to withdraw from his mate’s snug body. “I love you.” His voice was a bare whisper as he lay there awestruck by the connection he felt deep within his very bones with this man. It wasn’t something he had been prepared for, yet he was humbled by its sheer power.
When his mate didn’t respond, Hudson looked at his mate’s face to find him fast asleep. Feeling smug that he’d given his mate so much pleasure, Hudson pulled Kassian in tighter and let sleep claim him too.
CHAPTER 16
“Good morning my little bunny.” Hudson was pulling a casserole dish out of the oven as Kassian walked into the kitchen. The moment he set it down on top of the stove, his mate pulled him close for a kiss.
One hand slid down his back and grabbed his ass. Kassian heard himself moan as fingers traced a path along the seam of his pants. His hips thrust back into the touch as if his body had a will all its own.
“How are you feeling this morning?” Hudson asked with a mischievous twinkle in his eye while his other hand went to the bite mark he’d left on Kassian’s neck.
Heat flared in Kassian’s face. They had made love three times last night and despite his ability as a shifter to heal quickly, he was still quite sore. By the look Hudson was giving him, he already knew that. But even if he didn’t, there was no way he was admitting his ass was sore.
“I’m fine.” It was the truth. He might be a bit tender, but Kassian had never been happier. He was mated. He was loved. He was in love. For the first time in seventy-three years, Kassian felt hope.
Hudson chuckled and squeezed his ass once more before turning back to the stove and dishing them each a plate of the casserole. “Come on, little bunny. Let’s eat.”
As always, Jari’s cooking was amazing. Eggs, bacon, cheese, spinach and bread. He was sure there were spices in there too, but those were the foods Kassian could easily identify. It was amazing how Jari took these ingredients and created a masterpiece, yet when he and Hudson tried, they ended up with something that tasted like rotting garbage.
After having worked up an appetite the night before, Kassian dug in with more gusto than usual. It wasn’t until he’d cleaned his plate that he’d realized neither of them had said a word.
Glancing over at Hudson, he saw him staring at him with that same twinkle in his eye as before. “Hungry, little bunny?”
He felt that damn heat filling his cheeks once more and knew Hudson saw it when he started to chuckle. The legs of Hudson’s chair scraped against the floor as he pushed back from the table.
“Here.” Hudson grabbed both their empty plates. “Let me get you some more.”
Normally it was only Hudson who went back for seconds as Kassian didn’t eat that much. When his mate put his plate in front of him, once more filled, Kassian was staring intently at where his feet touched the floor refusing to meet Hudson’s gaze.
Surprised when Hudson put his own plate on the table and knelt down in front of him instead of taking his own seat, Kassian risked a glance and met those beautiful blue eyes. Slowly, Hudson leaned closer but stopped just before their lips touched. Kassian’s wanted to cry out for his mate to not stop.
“I love you, Kassian. Every single thing about you.” Hudson reached out and touched Kassian’s cheek. “You are so adorable when you blush, my little bunny.” Then he closed the distance and Kassian was sure he saw fireworks as their mouths met in kiss that was gentle, yet consuming at the same time.
Kassian felt cherished and loved as Hudson put his other arm around him while the other stayed on his cheek as if Hudson couldn’t pull himself away from the heat that still filled Kassian’s face. Although, now that they were kissing, he was hot for completely different reasons.
God, he loved this man.
Hudson ended the kiss and knelt back. “Damn, but you tempt me, my mate.” Then he stood up and sat back down on his chair. “So. What would you like to do today?”
Bewildered by the sudden change of topic, Kassian blurted out what had been on his mind since he’d woken up. “I want to go into town. Maybe eat at that restaurant Jari owns.”
“You mean The Mousetrap?” Hudson asked with a frown. “Don’t you think that would be a lot to take on? Why don’t I invite one person over here instead? That way you won’t get too overwhelmed.”
Kassian appreciated that Hudson was just looking out for him, but it was time he started living and not cowering in some corner. “No,” he said firmly, refusing to back down. “I don’t want to hide from the world any longer. If it gets to be too much, we can come back home. But I need to try.”
He stared right into those concerned blue eyes and with as much emotion as he was feeling at the moment, Kassian said, “Please.”
His mate let out a heavy sigh. The concern in his eyes grew, but was also mixed with resignation. “Fine.” Hudson pointed his fork at Kassian. “But only if you promise me you will tell me if you are becoming overwhelmed.”
Kassian did. He would have promised his mate anything for a chance to experience some of the fun Hudson had with his friends. The way Hudson talked about his pack in Miracle, like they were a big family, was something Kassian desperately wanted after being alone for so long.
He wasn’t sure he’d be able to handle it, but if he had any hope of being a part of Hudson’s pack, he needed to try. He had no illusions after spending just a hour with Jari the day before that this would be easy, but his father used to tell him nothing in life worth having was easy. So if he failed today and had to go home right after getting there, Kassian would just try again tomorrow.
***
As Hudson turned out of the entrance to Kassian’s family farm, dread started to take root in his stomach. He tried to expel it and concentrate on the excitement that was also rolling around inside of him. But that proved harder than he anticipated.
He only left the farm when he absolutely had to and even then, he usually went hungry for several days before making the forty minute trip to the next town to buy groceries. In his youth, that trip had taken all day as he had no idea how to drive. When he was twelve, he’d forced himself to learn to drive his dad’s old work truck.
“Hey.” Hudson reached across the center console and took Kassian’s hand in his. “Do you want me to turn around?”
Kassian shook his head without hesitation, but his voice refused to work when he tried to say no. He cleared it several times before he could make any words come out.
“No. I can do this. Just…distract me.” He needed to get his mind off of what he was about to do.
“Actually, I have a couple of questions I’ve been meaning to ask you,” Hudson admitted. “How have you managed to pay for things with your farm not operational?”
Kassian shrugged. “My father was rich. According to the lawyer who came to put everything in my name, I would never have to worry about money again. In the beginning, it was easier to buy items for my parents had accounts set up with the stores. The bank paid them off.
“But when I was in my forties, things started to change. Those stores that had been around forever closed and I had to figure out how to get money from the bank in order to pay for groceries and stuff. By my sixties everything was being paid for by credit cards.” Kassian shook his head. “My mind has been reeling with how fast circumstances have changed ever since.”
“Have you thought about working the farm again?” Hudson asked. “I know Miracle could use a cattle farm nearby with how much meat we eat.”
Kassian frowned. Running a farm wasn’t easy. He remembered the long days his parents put in, even with the people they’d hired from town to help. Kassian wasn’t sure he wanted to do that. And considering that his hands were starting to shake as the town came into view, he sure as hell wasn’t sure he wanted people working on his land.
At the same time, if he was hoping to be a part of Hudson’s pack, putting cattle on his land again for the townspeople would be the right thing to do.
The t
ruck stopped in front of wood building with a sign that said, Mousetrap Café. His stomach rumbled and Kassian was sure he was going to throw up.
“Hey.” Hudson unbuckled Kassian’s seatbelt and pulled him across the console and into his lap. “I’m right here, little bunny. I’ve got you. You’re safe.”
His heart was racing so fast, Kassian feared it would burst from his chest. What had he been thinking? There was no way he could do this. Kassian would be alone for the rest of his life.
Lips crashed down upon his and all his fears fled in an instant as he held onto his mate. No. He wouldn’t be alone. He had Hudson.
When the kiss ended, Kassian buried his head into the crook of Hudson’s neck. “Thank you. I needed that.”
“Anytime, Kassian. I will always be here for you.” Deep in his heart, he knew Hudson meant every word. “Do you want me to take you home?”
A huge part of Kassian wanted to say yes, but he wasn’t going to give up that easily. It was time to stop acting like a child and hide away from the world.
“No. I want to go inside and eat.”
Happiness bubbled inside of him when Hudson grinned at him proudly. He could do this.
CHAPTER 17
It had only taken one phone call to arrange for the Mousetrap to be only partially full. With as many residents as Miracle now had, and little to no housing, the men were pretty much forced to eat at the Mousetrap. The fact that Jari’s cooking was as good as it was, only added to the desire to eat there.
The only saving grace was that it was lunchtime and in order for them to seal up as many homes as they’d been able to pour foundations for before the ground froze, the men of Miracle usually ate on the job. But Hudson had wanted to ensure Kassian didn’t have to deal with too many people, so he’d called Jari, who had guaranteed there would be no more than a dozen customers when they arrived at one.
True to his word, Hudson opened the front door to find five tables filled with couples along with two more at the counter eating. They were all his friends and their mates. Hopefully Kassian meeting the people Hudson talked about the most would help him cope.
A shaking Kassian held his hand tightly as they entered and Hudson gestured to his friends to stay in their seats for now. No use overwhelming his mate with only one foot in the door.
“Kassian, Hudson,” Jari greeted as he stood next to an empty table. “It’s good to see you. Why don’t you take a seat and I’ll get you a couple of drinks while you look at the menu.”
Kassian practically sank into his seat before burying his head into the menu. Instead of sitting across the table, Hudson chose the seat next to his mate, tucking it close to the corner in hopes of putting Kassian at ease.
He leaned in and whispered, “Knowing how much you love vegetables, you might want to try the eggplant parmesan. I’ve heard some of the others rave about it.” The more people had heard about Miracle being a safe haven for gays, the more shifters had flocked to their small town.
Most had been dismayed to learn they’d have to camp out as houses were built, especially when winter had set in. Still, they stayed and all pitched in to help in whatever way they could. Most of their population were still carnivores, but more and more herbivores were joining their ranks.
Kassian gave him a shaky smile as he peered around the room at the others. His eyes went wide when they landed on Krill at the counter talking with his mate. Krill was a polar bear shifter who was a giant of a man.
“It’s okay. That’s just Krill and that little guy he’s talking to is his mate, Harper,” Hudson told him.
“Harper?” Kassian’s gray eyes flew back to Hudson. “Isn’t he the one that makes all the great desserts?”
“He sure does,” Jari said as he set down two waters in front of them. “Would you like to meet him?”
Uncertainty flared in Kassian’s gaze as he stared once more at Krill. “Does his mate have to come over here?”
At that moment Krill, who most likely heard every word with his shifter hearing, looked over their way and flashed a toothy grin. Kassian swallowed loudly. “You know what? Never mind. I don’t need to meet Harper.”
“That wasn’t nice, Krill. Apologize.” Harper’s reprimand had Krill blushing like a school girl.
Hudson chuckled. “See? If someone as tiny as Harper can boss the beast around, you know he can’t be that scary.”
“Said the spider to the fly,” Kassian mumbled under his breath.
Hudson’s chuckled turned into a full-blown laugh at his mate’s wit. It was one of those things he was starting to learn about Kassian. In the beginning, Kassian had practically been afraid of his own shadow, not that Hudson could blame him. But after a week together, his mate had started to relax his guard around Hudson and little gems like that one slipped out.
“Stop looking so terrifying and apologize,” Harper insisted.
Krill, whose cheeks were still red, turned in his seat to face Kassian. Hudson noticed he didn’t stand, which was a good thing since the guy was several inches taller than Hudson and most likely would have had Kassian bolting for the door. “I’m sorry if I frightened you. It wasn’t my intention.”
Kassian stared at Krill for several minutes as if measuring his words. “Thank you for saying that. I’m just very nervous around so many people.”
Harper gave his mate a kiss. “I love you,” he said then jumped to his feet. “But you need to stay here while I go make a new friend.”
Without waiting for his mate’s consent, Harper headed over. It gave Hudson a lot of hope for when Harper first came to them, he was a mess. He had avoided people, even his own mate, like the plague. Now, he was one of the most warm and caring shifters in the group, welcoming anyone who came to their little town.
He also was one of Hudson’s ghost hunters. At first, Harper had done it for a distraction and so he wouldn’t have to be around many people at once. But the first time he saw the image of colors that indicated a ghost, he was hooked.
Harper walked right up to their table and sat down in the chair opposite Hudson on the other side of Kassian. “I’m glad to finally meet you. I understand the ghost Hudson, Nole and I have been following was your sister.”
Fearing the mention of Mila might send him over the edge, Hudson put his hand on Kassian’s thigh for support. But, as he tended to do more and more lately, his mate surprised him. “I can’t be sure it was her,” Kassian said. “But, considering some of the wild goose chases she sent you guys on, it probably was her. Mila was constantly playing pranks on me when we were kids.”
“I would have loved to meet her.” Harper winked at Kassian. “She sounds like she knew how to have a good time.”
The laughter that rang through the restaurant was like music to Hudson’s ears. His mate was there with quite a few people around and laughing with one of them as if he were having a good time. Something within his heart shifted, making Hudson even lighter with the knowledge that his mate was finding his strength.
With everything he’d experienced, they still had a rough road ahead of them, but Hudson was starting to really believe that Kassian would come out of it the other side, intact.
By the time Jari had brought out their meals, Kassian had met everyone in the room. His friends didn’t crowd around them, but came up two at a time and chatted for a few minutes before taking their seats to be replaced by two more of his friends.
The ultimate test was when Krill came over. But his mate handled the big guy with resolve. The slight tremble his mate gave every so often, or the squeeze of his hand on Hudson’s as if making sure he was really still there, told him Kassian wasn’t as unaffected as he was pretending to be to meet so many people, but he was trying. Hudson had never been prouder.
After they ate, he could tell his mate had had enough. His posture was stiff and his gaze a bit more weary. It was time to go home.
“You poor dear,” Harper said as he brought over a tray of desserts for Kassian and Hudson to pick from. “W
hy don’t you chose a dessert and I’ll box it up for you to take home.”
Kassian gave him a grateful smile as he picked out the apple pie with crumble topping. “My mom used to make this for us.”
Harper touched Kassian’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “Then I’ll box you up the whole pie. Everyone needs a little reminder of good times once in a while.”
Hudson could have kissed Harper for being so sweet to his mate. Not that he would, as he didn’t need Krill to try and take his head off for daring to touch the man’s mate.
The door opened and one of the newer members of Miracle strode into the diner. “Jari, Saber was wondering if you have that chili ready. The men are cold and could use something to warm them up.”
Nails dug deep into the hand Hudson rested on Kassian’s thigh. When he looked over at his mate, those gray eyes were wide with fear. The next thing he knew, Kassian had dropped out of his chair and curled up under the table as waves of fear wafted off of him.
Like the well-oiled unit they were, his friends took up positions around the diner, blocking all doors and covering the open windows. None of them knew what was happening, but they could scent the raw terror coming from Kassian. Their instincts to protect rose up and spurred them into action.
Confused as to what was going on, Hudson pushed his chair back and knelt on the floor next to his mate. “Kassian,” he wasn’t sure if his mate could even hear him at the moment. His slim body shook hard. “Kassian, what is it? Please, little bunny, talk to me.”
CHAPTER 18
Overwhelmed, Kassian had been grateful to hear they would be leaving soon. He had enjoyed meeting all of Hudson’s friends, but it was a lot for him to take in all at once. Still, he was proud that he had done it. More importantly, happy to know he could do it.
