Page 17 of By The Moon

“He’s human.” Hugo widened his eyes. “You know they don’t jump into these things like we do.”

“We’ve kinda known each other for a long time. It wasn’t like we needed the whole ‘getting to know you’ conversation. He wasn’t surprised when I told him what I am.”

“How was he?” Hugo turned and walked backwards, facing Louis. They were patrolling the east area of the city and even though it was late, the pavement was still busy.

“He said he’d been waiting for me.” Louis smiled softly. “That he knew I’d kept him safe.”

“I hope I have it that easy when I meet my mate. None of this freaking out when I drop fang, you know?”

“He had me appear in his dad’s kitchen. Freaked Shaun and Jerome’s sister Candice out but now she wants me to find some hot young single vampires who know their way around a woman’s body because human men are shit at it.”

Hugo threw his hand up in the air. “I’m free, hot, youngish, and very much available. Plus, there is no better taste than—”

“Stop right there.”

“You’ve slept with men and women. Most vampires have. I tend to prefer women but if my mate is a man I’d have no problem. Cock or pussy I love them both.” Hugo licked his lips. “Though you’ve gone for men more than women.”

Louis nodded. He had before he’d seen Jerome and then there was only him. “Shaun asked him if fairies existed.”

Hugo laughed and turned around, walking next to Louis. “What else?”

“Werewolves.” Louis grinned. “Poor Jerome. Shame I had to work and wasn’t around to help.”

“Some mate you are. I started work earlier and I’m now out here. When will I have a day off?”

“Ask Gray, or better yet, ask Key. He’ll get you a couple of days off together. With the number of days you’ve worked without a day off you deserve a nice break.”

Louis and Hugo found an area where CCTV couldn’t see them and with a wave, Hugo disappeared. Louis moved on and carried on walking along the sidewalk, moving around humans. A fight broke out ahead of him and he crossed the street to avoid becoming involved. Within a minute the fight was broken up and then the two men laughed and hugged each other.

Shaking his head, Louis muttered, “I don’t think I’ll ever understand that.”

Carrying on, Louis licked his lips when he thought about the council and how they would react when he informed them of his mating. The rules had been relaxed in regards to mating humans but you had to inform them prior to mating so they could perform a background check. Louis wasn’t sure how that would affect him and Jerome. Jerome was young and at university so his background check would come up clean. His family were hard working and law abiding so that would be fine as well.

Even with that, Louis knew he would have to be punished. He hoped it wasn’t a job like the one Kelvin had to do. He didn’t want to be collecting and disposing of trash, but if that was what he had to do then so be it. He’d cross that bridge when he came to it.

Louis?

Louis smiled when he heard Jerome’s voice in his mind.Yeah?

Do we date now?

Louis slowed.Do you want to?He wanted Jerome in his home and in his bed but he could wait if he had to. Jerome’s education was far too important and Louis was more than willing to wait until he had completed it. No, that was a lie. He wanted Jerome with him now but he would wait if he had to.Do you want to date? We do need to get to know one another.

I feel like I’ve known you all my life. I’ve been waiting for you. I knew you were out there somewhere and now you’re here.

Louis felt the exact same way, but he’d known what Jerome was to him. This was new to his mate so they should go slow.What do you want to do?

I’d like to date if we can. Go the movies and for meals out but I don’t want to go home alone at night. I want to be with you now I’ve found you.

I feel the same way but I don’t want to rush you into anything. You have your studies, and friends and family.

And you. I have you. I can still do my degree no matter where I live unless you live somewhere like outer Mongolia.

Louis snorted then chuckled.I don’t live far from your family home.

You moved there after finding me? That’s sweet.

Louis rolled his eyes because yes, he had moved after finding Jerome.I did.

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