Vane lifted a brow. “Fate. The one who chooses fated mates. Your perfect match.”
“Perfect match? What do you mean?”
Scowling, Vane asked, “Has no one explained Fated mates?”
Roland shrugged and shook his head. “My pride didn’t have a lot of members, so most people found someone they thought they could make good, strong cubs with and mated. Sometimes, love wasn’t even involved.”
“Ah, I’m sorry,” Vane rumbled. “Finding your fated mate is like…finding the other half of your soul when you didn’t even realize it was missing.” He smiled toward the doorway where Matthew had disappeared. “Your body craves being with your mate, even when you don’t understand why. You want to touch that person, make certain they’re safe, cared for, happy.” He returned his gaze to Roland, a light shining in his reddish-brown eyes. “You still have to work hard to create a relationship, but the rewards are more than worth the effort.”
“Oh,” Roland murmured. If mates craved being with each other, why had Tobias been with that other guy? Still full of doubt, he murmured, “Even though Tobias assured me we’re mates, I don’t seem to scent him as mine. Perseus said it’s because of…” He let the sentence trail off as he waved at his groin. He didn’t want to admit that he wanted to be around the man, if just to feel his arms around him because it made him feel safe.
“I thought Tobias understood that,” Vane stated.
“Sure, in theory,” Roland grumbled. He pulled his hand out of his friend’s grip and crossed his arms over his chest. “Yesterday he was all sticking close and attentive, but today he hasn’t even come to see me. I saw him in the hall and he was with someone else. He told me he had some things to do first but wanted to catch up with me later. What the hell is more important than a recovering mate?” He realized he sounded like a petulant child. Geez, did not finishing puberty mean he’d end up acting like a teenager his whole life? He really didn’t want that.
Vane cocked his head and narrowed his eyes. “Look I almost fucked up my own mating by not communicating, so my advice is to talk to him,” he told him. “You’ve been through a lot,” he reiterated. “Consider this. Tobias is our second. He has powerful instincts and aggression held carefully in check by Maelgwn. We stole you and the alligator from Bud’s property.” He shrugged. “If it’d been up to me and Tobias, we probably would have killed Bud and his people.” He smiled wryly. “Maelgwn is a good leader. He keeps us from doing things we shouldn’t. Things that could brand us rogue or draw unnecessary attention to our kind,” he admitted.
“So,” Roland whispered. “You’re saying he’s violent and I should be wary of him?”
Why the hell would his friend tell him this? Was it because he worried about his safety? He saw the way Vane’s jaw clenched, and Roland tried to figure out his friend’s intent.
Matthew rejoined them, chuckling and shaking his head. “No, that’s not what Vane means, at all.” Vane popped up and grabbed the tray of drinks. Matthew murmured his thanks, then placed the laptop on the coffee table.
“Then, what?” Roland demanded, tired of riddles and not understanding what was going on around him. Maybe he should just go back to bed for a couple of days until everything made sense.
“Vane’s still a bit rusty at this whole communication thing,” Matthew said, handing Roland the tall glass of orange juice. He then placed his empty hand on Vane’s upper arm and rubbed, probably intending to soften the words. After Vane gave his mate a cock-eyed smile and shrugged one shoulder, Matthew returned his focus to Roland. “Vane means, Tobias’ very strong instincts lead him to care for those under his protection, his family, with almost single-minded determination and focus.” He smiled at Roland, his hazel eyes twinkling. “Tobias believes you are his mate, therefore, even more important than his family, his clutch.”
“And him doing his duties before seeing me is?” he quietly pressed. He couldn’t seem to help it. That Tobias claimed to be his mate, then did other things hurt…probably more than it should. Was that the mate-pull?
Roland didn’t know.
“Taking care of you,” Vane said, picking up his coffee. “Tobias does his duty first to assure your safety, Roland.” He took a sip of his coffee, then sighed.
Frowning, Roland cocked his head. “Huh?”
Matthew and Vane exchanged a glance. Then, Vane growled low in his throat and wrapped a possessive arm around his mate. “It’s why I’m in human form, at the moment,” Vane told him. “Cops from Idaho are flying in and Detective DeSoto is escorting them here. Now, they don’t have any real jurisdiction, but I guess DeSoto’s chief has a good history of inter-precinct cooperation.”
“Oh, God,” Roland whispered. When something cold splashed on his hand, he glanced down and realized his hands trembled. He wrapped his second hand around the glass, too, trying to steady it. His heart pounded in his chest and he struggled to swallow around the lump in his throat. Bringing the glass to his lips, he gulped several swallows, quickly draining it. Once he felt like he wasn’t about to shake out of his skin, he whispered, “What do I do? Should I hide?”
Vane shook his head. “You need to stay in human form, Roland. I’d offer to have you stay here, but because me and Matthew were directly involved in buying the boa from Bud, we have to meet with the detectives,” he explained.
“Oh.”
“They shouldn’t be here long,” Matthew assured. “If you’d like, we can have someone stay with you? Maybe Sapian and his mate, Missy. They’re super nice.”
Suddenly, that three day nap sounded better and better. He shook his head. “N-no, thanks.” He sure as hell didn’t want to have some people he didn’t know come sit with him as if he needed a babysitter. “Thanks for the orange juice,” he murmured, rising to his feet. “I gotta go.”
Matthew took the empty glass from his hand while Vane settled a hand on his shoulder. “You okay?”
“Yeah, sure,” he lied. From Vane’s scowl, Roland figured the gargoyle knew it, too. Still, he forced a smile and said, “I gotta go see Doctor Perseus. He was gonna run some more tests.”
That at least was true.
Vane nodded. “Feel free to call me if you need anything at all.”
Roland nodded and strode toward the door. “Thanks again,” he mumbled, forcing a smile, glancing between the pair, seeing identical looks of concern on their faces. With a wave, he headed toward the doctor’s suite.
If Tobias was putting his duties first to keep him safe, he obviously thought he needed protecting. Maybe, if Roland proved he wasn’t so damaged, he’d get more attention instead.
What can I do to speed up my healing?
Chapter Six
Tobias stalked through the manor, using his long stride to eat up the distance between himself and his mate. He’d been trying to track down his young shifter since meeting with Einan and Cornelius. That was over an hour ago. It didn’t make him any happier that setting up the arboretum to look legitimate to hold a boa had taken a bit longer than he’d planned—he’d had to find someone to repair three broken glass panes.
First, Tobias had checked his mate’s room, but he hadn’t been there. When he came out, he’d spotted Kort passing the hallway. As much as it galled him to ask the gargoyle, Tobias had appreciated the male being able to tell him that he’d seen him go into Vane’s room. Unfortunately, when he swung by, the big gargoyle had given him a funny look, then told him Roland had left some time before to see Perseus.
When he’d reached the hospital wing, Roland had already been gone from there, too. With over half the evening gone, he wanted to spend the rest of his available time getting to know his mate. He couldn’t do that, however, if he couldn’t find the little male, and he was getting frustrated. If Roland wasn’t in his room, he didn’t know where else to look.
Once again at the suite currently assigned to Roland—this would be so much easier if he’d followed his instincts and immediately moved hi
s mate to his own suites—Tobias knocked lightly. He’d wanted to give his mate time to accept him, but having to track him down was intolerable. He yearned to wake from roost and see his mate inside waiting for him. Hell, he should be holding the man in his arms every night. Well, whenever they slept anyway.
“Who is it?”
Roland’s soft call through the door yanked Tobias back to the matter at hand...wooing his mate. “It’s Tobias,” he replied.
For several seconds, nothing happened. Finally, Roland replied, “I know.”
Frowning, Tobias rested one clawed hand on the door. He struggled to find an acceptable way to respond. As a dominant gargoyle, he could demand to be let in and the far more submissive lynx would probably do it, but he didn’t want to force his mate to allow him entrance. He wanted his mate to welcome him.
He opened his mouth, then snapped it shut. Shaking his head hard for a second, he wondered what he’d done to be barred entrance. Then, it occurred to him, maybe he needed to ask. “Roland,” he murmured. “Little one, will you let me in?”
“Y-yeah.”
Even with Roland’s stuttered confirmation, it still took him a few seconds to open the door. As soon as the shifter cracked the door open, the heavy, earthy scent of Roland’s arousal hit Tobias like a sucker punch in the gut.
Shock hit Tobias’ system first, followed quickly by lust, sharp and poignant. His blood flowed south too quickly, leaving him lightheaded for several heartbeats. Growling low in his throat, Tobias stalked through the partly opened doorway. When he kicked the door closed with his foot, he noted a rolled up towel on the floor. His brows drew together, then he slowly slid it against the door, pressing it to fill the crack between the bottom of the door and the floor.
That explains why I didn’t smell him at all.
That didn’t explain just what the hell was going on with Roland. When he’d taken his mate to Perseus yesterday, the doctor had claimed it would take days, maybe even weeks before they’d figure out the level needed to see results. From the scent permeating the room, Perseus had been mistaken.
Tobias slowly swept his gaze over the darkened room, his gaze finally landing on Roland. His mate rested on the sofa, his back pressed into the corner created by the back and arm, his knees up and his feet on the cushion before him. Roland had his arms wrapped around his knees and rocked a bit in place.
Concern warred with the ardor coursing through Tobias’ veins, allowing him to ignore his rock-hard erection. While he knew he tented his loincloth obscenely, he still kept his movements slow as he paced toward his mate.
Roland watched him warily. Sweat beaded on the shifter’s brow and temple. The closer Tobias came to the shifter, the thicker the scent of his arousal hung in the air, almost cloying in its intensity. Roland flicked out his tongue, licking his bottom lip. His gaze fixed on Tobias, and he began to pant softly.
Clamping down on his lust, Tobias slowly kneeled before the obviously distraught male. “Talk to me, Roland,” he urged, trying to sound soothing. Reaching out, he rested his left hand gently on his mate’s calf while placing his other hand on his shoulder, feeling hot, clammy skin. “What’s going on?”
“I don’t want you to be mad,” Roland mumbled, his gaze sliding away. His twined fingers tightened, his knuckles turning white, and he rocked a bit more.
Tobias scraped his thumb nail over the tendon that ran from just under his jaw to his collarbone. “I can’t promise to not get upset,” he murmured, choosing his words carefully. “But I can’t help if you won’t trust me…and that’s all I want to do.”
“I used extra.” Roland whispered the admission, peering at him through his lashes.
Tobias almost blurted out, extra what, but then it hit him. “More gel?”
Roland nodded, his eyes widening, dominating his face, even in the low lighting. “A lot.”
Perseus had prescribed the human dose equivalent for the first few days to see what affect it had on Roland. He didn’t want to injure the shifter if the human testosterone replacement topical gel didn’t agree with his system. Evidently, his mate hadn’t been quite as patient as he’d seemed yesterday in the visit.
Damn. “I’m not angry,” he assured.
“I thought, if I wasn’t…wasn’t so damaged.” His voice hitched at his own words. Before Tobias could come up with a way to convince his mate that he didn’t consider him damaged, Roland continued. “If I were well, I wouldn’t need for you to make sure I’m safe. Then, you could spend more time with me.”
Tobias struggled to understand where this admission was coming from. “I’ll always want to make certain you’re safe,” he admitted. “It’s wired in my blood. That will never change.”
Roland’s brows pinched together and he scowled at his kneecaps. “Y-you’ll always—” he paused and shook his head. His hands tightened and loosened, making white lines appear and disappear on his knuckles. “But I want—” His words hitching, Roland moaned a bit, his body tensing under Tobias’ fingers.
Whatever he’d been trying to say, Tobias vowed to figure it out later. Right now, something was very wrong. “I just want to know how to help,” Tobias assured. “Let me help you.”
Looking at him, Roland’s anguished gaze met his. “I hurt.”
“Where, little one?” Tobias instantly responded. Instinct drove him to find out how to soothe his mate. “What can I do?”
Slowly, Roland stretched out his legs, the near one hanging off the edge of the sofa toward him and the far one against the back sofa cushion. “I tried to jack off, but that just hurt more,” Roland whispered.
Tobias stared at the slender, maybe seven and a half inch prick, jutting up from a bed of springy black curls. Already the slit oozed pre-cum from the center of an angry-looking red cap and it took every bit of Tobias’ considerable self-control to keep from leaning forward and licking up the tasty-looking bead.
Holy fuck!
Forcing his gaze higher, to peer into his soon-to-be lover’s eyes, Tobias saw the confusion and…hope, glittering in Roland’s amber depths. “Let me know how this feels,” Tobias murmured as he skimmed his left hand up his mate’s calf and along his inner thigh.
Tobias rested his fingertips in the crease of Roland’s groin, gently petting the sensitive skin. He stretched the tips of his claws outward a bit, threading through his pubes and along his skin. To his pleasure, Roland gasped and his erection jerked.
“Oh!”
“Hmm,” Tobias hummed at that response.
Very nice.
Sliding his other hand up to cup his mate’s nape and jaw, Tobias leaned forward. Desire to taste his mate’s lips surged through his veins. He wanted to swallow the sounds of his lover’s desire down, feel them tremble his lips, tickle his throat. Tobias closed the final distance and enjoyed the first taste of his mate.
He opened his mouth just a bit and wrapped his lips around his mate’s plump bottom lip, sucking lightly on it. Swiping his tongue along the seam of Roland’s mouth, he nipped gently on the lip he kissed. Roland gasped softly, the move opening his mouth just a bit.
It was enough.
Tobias pressed his tongue into that space, forcing Roland to open wider. The earthy, masculine goodness of his mate exploded across his taste buds. Tobias wanted more, so much more, but he also didn’t want to scare his inexperienced lover.
Licking his way around Roland’s mouth, Tobias explored him. He mapped his mouth, flicked Roland’s teeth, slid along his tongue, and massaged his palate.
Tobias felt Roland’s near hand grab his upper arm and press closer, trying to get more, and his heart thudded at how his mate melted into his touch. Planting his left foot next to the couch, he used the hand on Roland’s inner thigh to encourage him to move his left leg over Tobias’ raised knee. The move spread his mate wider, giving Tobias more room to play.
Scraping his claws gently across the sensitive skin beneath Roland’s springy black pubes onc
e more, he worked his fingers ever closer to his mate’s dripping cock. Tobias reached the base and gently massaged the taut skin where shaft met groin, running his first two fingers back and forth, then up the underside’s first inch.
Roland squeaked and yanked his mouth away, peering down at where Tobias touched him.
Tobias followed his mate’s gaze. He saw the rosy hue coloring his mate’s neck and chest as his shifter gasped for breath. He watched Roland’s abs clench and quiver as his dick jerked and tapped against them. Several strings of pre-cum stretched from his cock head—nearly translucent strands like spider’s silk—to his abs.
“Hurts,” Roland whimpered. “Make it stop.”
“Okay, little one. I’ve got you,” Tobias assured.
Grabbing the base of his mate’s dick, Tobias lifted the shaft away from Roland’s abs, making it point straight up. He lowered his head and swallowed his mate’s erection to the root. Mindful of his teeth, he sucked up, then went right back down. He swiped his tongue over the engorged head, tasting slightly salty and sweet pre-cum.
Delicious.
Tobias released the base of his mate’s dick, no longer needing to stabilize the shaft in his mouth. Moving his hand down, he gently fondled the soft skin of his sack. Roland gasped, telling Tobias that even though he no longer had testicles, fondling his sack still gave his lover pleasure.
So much so that, without warning, Roland screamed and shot.
The first forceful blast hit the back of Tobias’ throat, but he managed to pull up enough to taste the second shot and the third. He swallowed his mate’s slightly bitter cum quickly, still sucking lightly, doing his best to prolong his lover’s pleasure.
While the shaft in his mouth stopped shooting, it didn’t soften. He listened to his mate’s panting breaths for several heartbeats before lifting his head. He moved his hand back to Roland’s erection, again playing with the now spit-slicked base.
Tobias watched as Roland slowly came down from his endorphin high. Smiling, he asked, “You feeling a bit better, my mate?”
Coaxing His Skittish Lynx Page 5
