Page 7 of Bound to the Hellhound
"Pleased to meet you, Theo."
“You too, sir.”
“Kass, call me Kass.”
"Yes, sir." Kass did not pursue after that, just smiled softly and took in the small, vulnerable man who stood before him. He also took in the pride and pleasure present in his brother's expression. "Valerian is a good man, Theo, trust him and lean on him. You’re not alone.” He then said his goodbyes and left. Valerian could feel the gears turning in Theo’s mind as he struggled to figure out what had just happened.
“Do you two get along?” He asked.
“Yes, quite well. We went through a rough period due to a misunderstanding, but we’ve gotten beyond it, and our relationship is now solid once again.” Valerian responded and then asked. "Let's go for a walk, I'll show you around the place. The Palace gardens are breathtaking.”
“Palace?”
"That's what we call the DuCane headquarters. You'll understand better when you see it." He stepped back and took Theo's hand, and they headed outside. He held tight toValerian's hand, his caution and uncertainty coming through loud and clear. Once they were outside and had cleared the large trees, Theo could see the expanse of the Palace in the background and the gardens that went on and on.
He drew in a startled breath and stood still for a moment, taking it all in. “This is incredible, it's something from the days of the robber barons.” He exclaimed and gave a soft whistle as he looked to and fro. “I understand why you call it the Palace. You must love living in a place like this, every day being filled with such beauty.”
“It’s a great place to live and to work.” Valerian acknowledged. “You’ll like it here too.” He then quickly changed the subject before Theo could question him on his statement. “Let’s walk the rose garden, it's in full bloom and the smells are wonderful." Theo glanced up at him, shielding his eyes from the sun, and nodded.
"Sounds good, I could use a little bit of wonderful.”
“Coming right up, my love.”
They walked and talked, sharing simple things like favorite foods and basic noninvasive background information. They were both tiptoeing around what they really wanted to know. Valerian had learned a few things about Theo from the extensive file Easton had gathered and sent to him, but it didn't really reveal the man himself. His main question was why he stayed with a family that abused him. He was twenty-two years old and well-educated, so why didn't he leave?
It was a difficult question, and Valerian didn't want to cause Theo to shut down, so he was careful until Theo opened the door with a probing question. “You said you had a rough family life when you were young. How did you escape it?"
“My father died, and my Pack leader was dethroned. My life got much easier after that.” Valerian led him to a stone bench, and they both sat down. Valerian held his hand and leaned towards him. “Why do you stay and work for your father?” Valerian asked.
“I didn’t believe that leaving was an option. My life was with the Tuffin Agency, and even though I hated it, I couldn't leave, or at least I thought I couldn't." He looked away, but Valerian took his chin and turned him back to face him.
“They made you believe you couldn't leave." He said, and Theo nodded slowly. "You can’t go back there, you know that... right?"
"What else do I have? It's my life, the only life I know. What will I do?” He really had been brainwashed, and it was causing a rage to build in Valerian’s heart.
"If you go back, they will most certainly kill you eventually, if not immediately. Do you really care so little for your own life?” That was harsh but necessary.
“I care. . . I do.” He was trying to pull away, but Valerian prevented him from escaping. “I usually can read their moods and avoid conflicts like last night. I misjudged everything last night.” He looked over at Valerian through his lashes, and it made Valerian completely melt.
“If it weren’t for you, Valerian, I don't know if I would have walked away from that one. Justin was particularly unhinged.” Valerian ran his fingers through Theo's blonde hair, pushing it back from his face. He loved touching his mate, feeling the warmth and the pulse of life beneath his fingers.
"I'm so thankful that I was there, baby, and you are never going back there." He leaned closer and took Theo's lips in an exploratory kiss. It was soft and gentle, yet thorough, and lastedfor several minutes. He felt Theo's hand reach over and grip his thigh, and his lips parted for Valerian to go deeper. He was not averse to Valerian’s attentions and seemed to be pushing for more.
Valerian pulled him completely into his arms, crushing his mouth with the urgency he'd been feeling ever since cradling him in his arms during that jet ride home from Detroit. His quiet, shy mate suddenly slid his hand up Valerian’s thigh and cupped his groin, and Valerian nearly came in his jeans. He held his breath and squeezed his eyes shut to stave off the inevitable. Theo took it as rejection when the heated kiss suddenly halted. It wasn't for lack of want, it was for lack of breath.
Theo pulled back, embarrassment flooding his face, and Valerian composed himself immediately. "No, no baby, it's alright, you just surprised me." He took Theo’s hand and placed it back where it was. “Your hand belongs right there.” He said and kissed him. "Your touch is amazing, it sets me right on fire. You can touch me anytime, baby.” His tone was low and rough as his emotions were running high.
Theo met his gaze and held it while running his palm over Valerian's growing hardness. He opened his mouth on a salacious pant and his eyes half closed. Valerian was so turned on, he was ready to take his mate right there in the garden.
Valerian suggested they move indoors, and they stood with Valerian still holding Theo in a firm embrace. His phone rang, and he glanced at the screen and saw that it was from the guard at the main gates. He held Theo under his left arm and answered his phone. "What is it, Cal?" He asked, clearly irritated by the interruption.
“There’s a man here asking to speak with Theo Tuffin. He said that he was sent by the family to check on his well-being." Cal explained, and his suspicion was evident in his tone.
“Is he a shifter?”
"Yes, sir."
“Hold him, I'll be right there." He closed the call and looked down at his mate, who was watching him intently. "Did you hear that?" Theo nodded that he had.
