Page 39 of Edge of Darkness

Hudson was incapable of walking away now. His dragon simply would not allow it. Even the thought made nausea roll through him. Fuck. If only he could turn back time.

Taking a deep breath, Hudson willed the partial transformation back. “Again, I am so sorry everyone.”

“Your Majesty? Hudson? What—”

“I’ll explain later. Everything is fine, Nelson.” Hudson said, quickly cutting him off. He needed to deal with what he’d just learned before he started explaining what happened. And then there was Connie.

“Are you sure?” Terry asked.

“I’m positive,” Hudson said. “I’m no longer in jeopardy of losing control. I apologize, Terry and Susan.”

“Jeez,” Susan mumbled, wiping her brow.

Hudson slowly approached a very pale Kit and held out his hand. “Hello, Kit. I’m Hudson. I am so very sorry for scaring you. That was never my intent.”

Kit swayed slightly, and Hudson grabbed him.

He gently held Kit as he eased him down to the floor. “Okay, easy there. You’re okay. It’s okay. You’re safe. I’m so damn sorry. It’s fine now. No changing, I promise. Just breathe. You’re safe.”

“What the fuck was that?” Kit whispered.

“A partial transformation. Dragons can do that.” There was no way Hudson was going to admit what caused him to do it, or that he’d lost control, which had prompted the partial transformation in the first place.

He was trying to reassure Kit that everything was okay, not further freak him out. And Kit was as pale as a ghost.

“Okay. Okay.” Kit patted his chest. “That was more excitement than I was bargaining for, but okay. I’m just going to, you know, maybe put my head between my knees here for a minute.”

Hudson ran his hand up and down Kit’s back as his mate immediately did what he just said. Glancing up, he met several annoyed and/or concerned gazes. Beckett, in particular, was watching Hudson. There was a knowing look on his face.

Shit.

After a few minutes, Kit lifted his head. “I think I’m fine now. I don’t feel like I’m going to pass out anymore.”

Hudson burned with shame. “Here, let me help you back up.”

Kit took Hudson’s hand, and Hudson pulled Kit to his feet. “Again, I cannot adequately express how very sorry I am for frightening you.”

Still holding Kit’s hand, he kissed the top of it.

Kit’s eyes widened. “Oh wow. Yeah, that was… that was…. I don’t know what that was. Are you sure you’re okay?”

By the dragon gods, Kit’s skin was smooth and soft. Hudson wanted to lick him from wrist to…. Hudson physically had to make himself let go of Kit’s hand before he did something he shouldn’t. Like lick him. Everywhere.

“I’m perfectly fine. I promise,” Hudson said, tucking a strand of hair behind his ear. It was either do that or reach for Kit again. He couldn’t seem to keep his hands off the other man. “I’m sorry you had to see my partial transformation. I understand it can be a bit much.”

“I was just… just not ready for it. It’s been a hell of a day so far. But yeah, you’re terrifyingly awesome,” Kit admitted.

Hudson fought the urge to preen, and his dragon perked up. Kit thought he was terrifyingly awesome. He’d take it. Kit’s words replayed through Hudson’s mind, and he realized Kit had given Hudson the opening he needed to get things back on track.

“Ah yes, the wards. Everybody? I think we need to discuss this. Shall we sit?”

“I’ll grab some chairs from the break room,” Beckett said. “I’ll be right back.”

With a meaningful look at Hudson, Beckett went to the office door, unlocked it, and left. Terry and Susan were also keeping an eye on him, but Hudson didn’t care. The only person who drew his attention was Kit.

The human was of average height, but Hudson couldn’t tell much about his body, except for that toned belly Kit’s cropped shirt showed. It was all Hudson could do not to drop to his knees and tease that belly chain Kit wore… with his tongue.

Gaura help him.

---