Simon

by Catherine Lievens

  “My parents?” he asked.

  Mal nodded. “I’d have left them outside, but they wouldn’t leave, so I thought it would be better to have them inside so I could warn you.”

  “Thanks.”

  “I tried to make them leave, but...”

  “I know my mother, Mal. She wouldn’t leave, not if she wants to talk to me. Has she said what she wants?”

  “No, just that she wants to talk to you.”

  “Okay. I’m coming.”

  “Are you going to go upstairs first?”

  Simon looked at Malik, then back at Mal. “No, I don’t think so. I’m pretty sure they’ll already be angry enough as it is.”

  “I’m going back in, okay? Take all the time you need. I’ll have Will stand there and intimidate them while we wait.”

  Simon snorted. “As if Will can look intimidating.”

  Mal lightly swatted Simon’s chest. “He can, believe me. You just haven’t seen it yet.”

  Mal left, closing the front door behind himself, and Simon looked at Malik. “I’m sorry. I know this is the last thing you want right now. You can just go upstairs. I’ll deal with them.”

  Malik pulled Simon close, wondering if he’d be strong enough to stop himself from hurting Simon’s parents after what he’d found out about them. “I’ll meet them.”

  “You don’t have to,” Simon said against Malik’s chest.

  “I know, but I’ll have to meet them sooner or later, and I want to have a nice chat with them.”

  “I doubt any chat you can have with my parents will be nice.”

  Simon looked up, and Malik kissed him. He liked kissing Simon, maybe more than anything else. Simon always tasted good, and he was always eager to kiss Malik back. Most of the time it made Malik want to drag Simon to their bed, but this time, the kiss was only reassuring, soothing.

  “If they’re not nice to you, then I won’t be nice to them,” Malik warned Simon when they stopped kissing.

  Simon snorted. “The day they’re nice to me is the day I became the alpha of this pack.”

  “Are you okay with this? I won’t hurt them, but I won’t keep quiet either.”

  Simon waved. “I don’t care what you say to them. I know you and the others find it weird that I keep on seeing them, even though they’re assholes. My life would be easier if I didn’t, and I know it, but until now, I really only had them, you know. I mean, I had Elliott, and Mal, but it’s not the same thing. I know Mal and Elliott love me more than my family does. They’re my family now, them and their mates, and you. I think it’s time I let go of my parents and stop hoping they’ll start loving me for who I am.”

  Malik couldn’t resist. He kissed Simon again, uncaring about the voices he could hear in the house. Someone was fighting, but right in that moment, Simon was the only important thing in Malik’s life. “I think I love you,” he breathed out against Simon’s lips.

  Simon’s eyes widened in surprised. “Already?”

  “Yes.”

  “It’s so soon.”

  “It doesn’t matter.”

  Simon was silent, then he finally nodded. “Thanks for telling me. I don’t know if I can say the words back, though. Not yet.”

  “That’s not why I told you. I don’t expect you to tell me you love me until you really feel that way for me. I just wanted you to know. Seeing your parents tonight won’t be easy, especially since you decided you’d let them go. I wanted you to know that you had your friends, yes, but you also had me, and I love you.”

  Simon chuckled. “Well, you actually said you thought you loved me.”

  Malik smiled. “Being in love is scary.”

  “I know.”

  “Ready to go in?”

  “No, but I don’t have a choice, do I?”

  “You always have a choice.”

  Simon nodded. “And I’m choosing to face my parents.”

  “I’ll be with you every step of the way.”

  “I know.” Simon stepped toward the door. “Let’s go and get this over with. I can’t wait to get into bed and cuddle.”

  He pushed the door open, and the voices coming from inside got louder.

  “I want to see my son!” a woman demanded.

  “Yeah, well, maybe if you’d actually treated him like he was your son, he’d be more eager to see you,” Mal answered, and Malik could almost see him, with his arms crossed on his chest and a defiant look in his eyes.

  He found the fact that Mal wasn’t afraid to get into a shifter’s face like that incredible. Mal was human, and it wouldn’t take much for a shifter to hurt him, or even kill him, yet he was defending Simon without hesitation.

  “You can’t keep Simon away from us,” a man’s voice said.

  “I’m not keeping him away. He’s keeping himself away from you. And honestly, I’d do the same thing if you were my parents.”

  Simon wasn’t smiling anymore, but he looked resolute. Malik took his hand, earning himself a smile, then Simon pulled him toward the living room.

  Mal stood in the living room door, his arms crossed on his chest, just like Malik had imagined. He was facing the inside of the room, and Malik could easily see above his head. A man and a woman were facing Mal, looking angry.

  Simon put a hand on Mal’s back and Mal moved to the side, letting Malik and Simon enter the living room.

  “Mom, Dad. What are you doing here?”

  “We need to talk to you,” Simon’s mother said. She scowled at Mal, and Mal scowled right back.

  “Why? Couldn’t it wait tomorrow?” Simon asked.

  “We heard you were mated,” Simon’s father said.

  Simon sighed and looked at Mal. “You can go.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I’ll be in the kitchen with everyone else.” Mal scowled at Simon’s parents again. “Yell if you need help. I’ll stay close to the knives, just in case.”

  He left, and Simon let go of Malik’s hand. Malik crossed his arms on his chest in a more intimidating gesture than Mal’s had been. Simon’s mother looked at him, and her eyes narrowed.

  “So it’s true,” she said. “You mated a man.”

  “Of course it’s true. You’ve known I was gay for more than a year. What did you expect?”

  “That you would have more common sense and marry a woman who could give you children.”

  Simon laughed. “Children? I don’t want children. But I’m sure Darryl will be more than happy to have some for you, if he can stop fucking his way through Gillham, of course.”

  Simon’s father shook his head. “We should have known you’d find yourself a big man.”

  Malik growled, and Simon’s father took a step backward.

  “Why, Dad? Because I’m girly?”

  Simon’s father raised his chin in defiance, and Malik almost laughed at the gesture. “What woman would want you?” he told Simon, and Malik growled again.

  “If you let that man use you like a woman, then we don’t want you in our home anymore,” Simon’s mother said. “It’s not right. You’re a man. You shouldn’t behave like a woman.”

  Simon snorted. He looked like he didn’t care, but Malik could feel the pain coursing through their bond. “Mom, really? You knew I was gay. What did you expect me to do? Braid my mate’s hair instead of fucking?”

  Simon’s mother gasped. Malik had had enough. He grinned, making sure to show Simon’s parents his teeth. “Your son is very good at fucking me. Fills me right up.”

  Malik could feel Simon was surprised, but he didn’t look at him. They’d had penetrative sex just once, when they’d mated, so Simon hadn’t fucked Malik yet, but Malik wanted him to, and he wasn’t going to let Simon’s parents shame either of them about wanting that.

  “I’ll have Alpha Rhett kick you out,” Simon’s father said to Malik.

  “Good luck with that. I’m a council member.”

&n
bsp; Simon’s father looked surprised for a moment, but the expression quickly shifted. “The council is a farce. All fags.”

  Malik tightened his hands in fists. “I think you better go, or this fag will kick your ass.”

  Malik didn’t care if Simon’s parents, or anyone else, thought the council was a farce since all the members were gay. It wasn’t true, and even if it had been, it still wouldn’t have mattered.

  He couldn’t stand the thought of Simon’s father saying something like that to his own son, though. He didn’t want Simon to be hurt, even though he knew he would be.

  Simon’s parents looked at Simon, probably thinking Simon would tell them to stay, but instead, he nodded. “I don’t want to see you again, not if you just want to insult me and my mate.”

  “We’re your parents,” Simon’s mother protested.

  “No, you’re not. Parents would have loved me for what I am, and instead, you’ve been taunting me ever since I was a teenager. I’ve had enough of it.”

  * * * *

  Simon stared at his parents. He was putting up a good front, or at least he thought he was. He didn’t think they could see how much saying those things to them hurt him. He hoped they couldn’t. The last thing he wanted was for them to know just how important they were to him, even though he didn’t want them to be.

  “Simon...” Simon’s mother said.

  “Get out.”

  He could see his mother wanted to protest, to insist, but his father took her arm and guided her toward the front door. Simon waited until he heard the front door closing to relax.

  He slumped, wondering if he’d done the irreparable and had pushed his parents away forever. He was torn between wanting just that and wanting to get them back. He knew he’d let them walk all over him for too long, though. He might not have cared—much—while he was alone, but he wasn’t about to let them badmouth Malik.

  “Are you all right?” Malik asked.

  Simon shrugged. “I don’t know how to answer that question, to be honest. I guess I should be happy they’re gone and that I won’t have to listen to what they say anymore, but I’m not.”

  Malik put his hands on Simon’s shoulders. “They’re your parents. You’re conflicted, and that’s normal. It does seem like your mother doesn’t quite share your father’s views.”

  “Do you think she might change her mind? Maybe I could talk to her.”

  Malik squeezed Simon’s shoulders. “Let some time pass. Right now, both of your emotions are high, and you’d only end up fighting again. Try to talk to her in a few days, maybe when your father is not home. I think you’ll have an easier time.”

  Simon didn’t want to let himself doubt, but he couldn’t help it. Could he really get through to his mother?

  He sighed. “I think I’m going to go to bed.”

  He started to move away, but Malik tightened his hold on his shoulders. “Actually, there’s something I wanted to do with you.”

  Simon turned into Malik’s hold, and Malik let his hands fall. “What is it?”

  Malik grinned. “It’s a surprise.”

  Suddenly Simon didn’t want to go to bed anymore. He’d have gone to pout a bit, but whatever Malik had in mind, it had to be more exciting than that. Simon wanted to keep his mind off his family, and this sounded like a great opportunity to do just that. “I’m game.”

  The smile on Malik’s lips widened. “Great. Wait here. I need to grab some things, but I’ll be right back.”

  Malik left, leaving Simon alone. Simon pondered whether he should go to the kitchen with the others, but Malik was back before he could make a decision. He was holding a gym bag, and Simon arched a brow in question, but Malik shook his head. “I told the others we’re leaving.”

  “When should we be back?”

  “Depends on how long you want to spend where we’re going, but I’m guessing at least a few hours. Is that okay?”

  “Not like I have anything to do tomorrow, but don’t you?”

  “No. I told Kameron that after what happened today, I’d be out tomorrow. And that wasn’t even considering what just happened with your parents. We’ll spend tomorrow together, if it’s okay with you.”

  Simon stepped closer and wrapped his arms around Malik’s waist. “Okay? We just mated. I want to spend as much time with you as I can.”

  The smile on Malik’s face was enough to make Simon happy, and wasn’t that sappy as fuck?

  “Let’s go.”

  Simon let Malik drag him to Mal’s car. He looked at Malik in question when Malik unlocked it, and Malik shrugged. “He let us borrow it. I’m going to need to buy a car, though.”

  “So you’re really moving here?” Simon could hear the hope in his voice. Malik had told him that was his plan more than once, but it was still hard to believe. When had Simon become so lucky? He’d gone from being a scrawny lonely kid to being mated to an alpha who was willing to leave his pack to make sure he was happy.

  Malik drove for what had to be fifteen minutes. They were both silent, Simon still reeling over what had happened with his parents. He knew they’d tell Darryl about it, and that meant Darryl was going to show up sooner or later. Simon really wanted to avoid him, but unless he hid somewhere, he’d have to face his brother. Might as well do it as soon as possible.

  Malik parked in front of a house Simon had never been to. He looked at Malik, frowning, and Mali shrugged. “It’s a friend’s of Kameron’s house. He told me about it recently and said his friend had offered its use to me. Or rather, the use of what’s in the backyard.”

  “You’re being all mysterious. I would be worried if I weren’t mated to you.”

  “I’d never do anything to hurt you.”

  “I know that.”

  “Ready?”

  Simon nodded and exited the car. Malik guided him around the house. They stopped in front of what appeared to be a veranda and Malik took something out of his pocket—a key. He unlocked the veranda and stepped inside. Simon followed. He couldn’t see anything, at least not until Malik turned the lights on. Then he gasped.

  “You brought me to swim?”

  A swimming pool occupied most of the space in the veranda, and Simon crouched next to it, putting his hand into the water. It was warm, and it didn’t smell like chlorine.

  “Kameron thought I’d like to shift sometimes,” Malik said from behind Simon.

  Simon rose and looked at him. “Of course. Is this salt water?”

  “Yes. I could swim in any type of water, but salt water is better.”

  Simon swallowed. It was for him that Malik was giving away the possibility to swim in the ocean. He had all the salt water he could need in South Africa, yet he was giving it away to move to Wyoming.

  He startled when Malik cupped his cheek. “Stop feeling guilty.”

  “How can I when I think about what you’re giving up to be with me?”

  “I might be giving up the possibility of shifting and swimming whenever I want to, but I’m gaining so much, it doesn’t even feel like I’m giving up anything.”

  Simon shook his head. “I don’t see what you’re gaining. I’m just me. How can that be enough?”

  “You’re everything. You’re my future. I know it sounds cheesy, but it’s true. Would you be ready to leave your life behind for me? To leave your friends, your home?”

  Simon nodded. He’d do it. Some people might think it was stupid, and that he didn’t even know Malik yet, but his wolf knew their mate. It wouldn’t stay away from Malik, not even if Simon wanted to, and he didn’t. Malik was the one person who belonged to him, and who he belonged to. He was the one person who would love Simon above everything and who would always put him first, and Simon knew it wasn’t only because of the mate bond. Malik loved him, and he’d do it even if they weren’t mated, even if they were only human.

  “Well, I’d do exactly the same for you,” Malik said. “Never mind the fact that I was alre
ady thinking of leaving my alpha position to get more involved in the council. I would have moved here anyway. You’re just another reason to do so. I’m not sacrificing myself, Simon. I swear.”

  Simon nodded again, and Malik kissed him until they were both breathless. “But you’re going to build your own pool, right?” Simon asked.

  “Yes. Kameron is happy to have me around, and he didn’t have any problems giving me the okay.”

  “Good. Now let’s see how intimidating you are as a shark, huh?”

  * * * *

  Simon didn’t have to ask twice. Malik had been yearning for a swim ever since he’d left South Africa.

  He’d spent a week with Quincy and his nest before they’d both come to Gillham, and Malik hadn’t thought he’d be able to swim for a while. Kameron had told him about this pool, though, and Malik had jumped on the opportunity to use it.

  Malik pulled his sweater off, then his jeans. Simon didn’t move, and Malik knew he was staring. He didn’t mind. Actually, he loved it. He knew he was fit, and that he had a nice body, but it had never felt important until now. Now, he wanted to show off and preen, even though Simon was already his.

  “There are towels in the bag, and a swim suit for you,” he said as he pushed his underwear off and let them fall onto the small pile of clothes by the pool.

  He stood, completely naked, and let Simon look all he wanted. Then he walked closer to Simon and kissed him. Simon made a strangled sound and clung onto Malik’s shoulders, trying to get closer. Malik smiled. He could feel Simon was hard through his jeans, and while he wanted nothing more than to lay Simon down and have his wicked way with him, he also wanted to wait. The waiting was almost as sweet as the moment he’d finally get to do it.

  Malik gently pulled away. “We have all the time to do that later,” he told a red-faced Simon.

  Simon’s cheeks became even redder, and Malik laughed. He jumped into the pool, letting the water embrace him and welcome him. It felt good, like coming home, and he was convinced of the move more than ever. He was doing the right thing. It wouldn’t be the same as life in South Africa was, but then he wouldn’t be moving if it had been. This was a new start for him, one where he could put down the alpha mantle and have more time for himself and Simon.