Page 5 of Unclaimed

Gemini swiped a hand over his eyes. “I can’t deal with this right now.”

“I’ve got it. Go ahead and get the sexy doctor home before he runs screaming back to Boston.”

At another man calling his mate sexy, Gemini’s gums itched. He fought the change. His features shifted. Gemini barely held back the beast inside him, but he couldn’t stop the possessive growl that came from the back of his throat or the animalistic note to his voice. “Did you just call my mate sexy?”

Waylon’s gaze moved over Gemini’s features before slipping toward the truck and back again. “He’s unclaimed.”

His claws grew. It got harder by the second to fight himself. He had no idea what he looked like, but Waylon held his hands up insurrender. “Retract your claws, kitten. I wasn’t insinuating that makes him fair game. I was just pointing out the obvious. He’s human, but I felt something when we spoke earlier. It was an odd shift in the air. I knew he was meant to find us, but I couldn’t decide why. If he had been meant for one of my pack, I’d know.” Waylon looked toward the truck again. “I envy you, but then again, I don’t. A mate is a blessing, but a human one… I have no idea how you’ll explain our world to him without risking he’ll panic and expose us. King Jonathan hasn’t had a reason to come our way since introducing himself.”

Gemini nodded. “I don’t intend to be the reason he has to make the trip now.”

Waylon gave him a sharp nod. He hesitated. “I’m not one to tell pack business.”

“I know.”

Waylon flashed him a smile. It fell just as quickly. “Our closest neighboring pack has had a couple of unclaimed human mates go missing. They suspect foul play.”

“Why were they unclaimed?”

Waylon’s hands rose and fell. “I believe, in both cases, they were too young. Their mates were waiting for them to come of age or some bullshit. I don’t know. It sounded to me like they were both in their early twenties, so whatever, I guess. But that’s why I pointed out Frost is unclaimed. It could be a coincidence or any number of things, but two is a big number for a small pack. Justkeep an extra eye out. Us Weres haven’t had any real trouble for a long time, but there’s been something on the wind. My fur is on end.”

Gemini held Waylon’s stare. “Nothing will happen to my mate.” Even he heard the deadly growl to his voice.

“Good. You might not be one of mine, but I still care. You don’t have to be the lone kitty. If you need help, my pack is willing.”

Gemini slapped Waylon across the back. “I appreciate the offer. My mate is waiting. I’ll make sure he stays safe.” Saying those words never got old.His mate. It felt good on his tongue. He couldn’t stop tasting the words.

Something almost sad passed over Waylon’s features, but he quickly hid it behind a smile. “Have a good night.”

Gemini got it. They would roam this earth forever unless something happened that they couldn’t heal quickly enough to survive. Knowing the years were endless without a mate was hell. Waylon still waited for a blessing that might never come. Gemini rubbed his chest. He had to find a way to claim Frost before the pull between them drove him mad. The thing was, to claim Frost, he would have to bite him and taste his blood and Frost would have to do the same. This typically happened during sex. It didn’t have to, but it was supposed to be better that way. Gemini obviously wouldn’t know. He only understood the mechanics. He had no fucking clue how he was supposed to explain any of this to Frost.

The moment he slid behind the wheel, his muscles eased a hair. Just being closer to Frost felt good. “Waylon called a guy a town over. He’s a true expert in wildlife. After he traps the one in your SUV, he’ll run by your place and sweep everything, looking for nests. Surely there aren’t more, but damn. Who knows at this point?” Every word Gemini said was bullshit, but he had to ease Frost’s mind. “You should stay with me tonight so he can work.”

A bark of laughter burst from Frost, immediately warming Gemini’s skin. “Is that so?”

Gemini held up his hands. “No ulterior motives. I can behave. I don’t want to, but I can.”

Frost’s laughter was addictive. He shook his head. “You have every gay man within five hundred miles crawling all over you, don’t you?”

Gemini felt like Frost had punched him in the chest. “No. I’m actually a bit of a loner.” All snow leopards were. Gemini was tired of being alone, though. He was old and ready for comfort. Gemini was a nomad and had lived all over the world, seeking a purpose he couldn’t fulfill. He looked at that missing part of himself now. “There’s just something about you. It makes me want to take a leap of faith.”

A sweet blush touched Frost’s cheeks, making the animal inside Gemini stir. “Tell Waylon’s guy, if he goes through the screened-in front porch, there’s a spare key under the cushion on the rocking chair.”

Gemini shook his head and pulled from the parking lot. “You know that’s dangerous, right?” The need to protect Frost was too strong for him to stay quiet. “Even out here, it’s not safe to leave an easy way inside your house.”

“I don’t have anyone.” The quiet confession cut through the dark, hurting Gemini’s heart. “If I get locked out, I mean. I don’t have anyone to call.” It was obvious Frost tried to cover his painful confession. Gemini felt the hurt bleeding from him. He couldn’t hide anything from Gemini.

He had to fix him. “Same. I got locked out once and I just kicked the door in.”

A sexy laugh filled the air. “I can see you doing that, but I’m not sure I see me doing that. There’s probably a locksmith around here, but now that I know the wildlife is actively hunting me, I’ve lost my desire to linger outside.”

“That’s too bad. It’s beautiful here.”

He saw Frost nod from the corner of his eye. “That’s why I moved here. Beauty and peace. It’s starting to feel like both things are already slipping away.” The sadness was back.

“I’ll share it with you. You’ll be safe with me.”

He felt Frost’s smile. Gemini couldn’t explain it. His smile was a tingle down Gemini’s spine. Every new sensation he experienced had him craving more. He wanted every piece of Frost. “You said you’re alone. Where do your parents live?” Every connectionFrost had would eventually need to be cut. Frost’s life was tied to Gemini now. He would never grow old or die unless Gemini passed. With Gemini gone, the years would catch up with him and he would pass from this life so they could find each other in the next.

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