Page 9 of Bound to the Hellhound
Valerian didn't answer until they were back at his place, that beautiful garden lodge. Theo wouldn't mind staying there forever, but that was unlikely. He wasn't sure why Valerian was keeping him around, but his welcome would probably wear off sooner rather than later.
He was led into the living room and seated comfortably on the couch with Valerian to his left. “Let’s talk," Valerian saidwith a strange gleam in his eyes. It wasn't off-putting but rather enticing, and Theo leaned closer, placing his hand on Valerian's thigh. He loved the feel of the hard muscle beneath his palm. He also loved the feel of something else, but now was not the time.
CHAPTER FIVE
The cougar shifter was followed back to town and to his motel room. The two soldiers, Ian and Brice, remained outside. They could hear the cougar shifter on the phone speaking to someone about Theo. He was just stating the facts. He then exited the motel room, got in his car, and left. Ian and Brice followed him all the way to Detroit, where he went into the offices of the Tuffin Agency.
“He’s working for the Tuffin brothers. We just followed him to their offices.” Ian reported to Edward Charles, one of the leaders of the DuCane guards, who then reported to Silas, the guard Commander. The soldiers were to remain and document the behavior of all those at the Tuffin Agency. The Tuffin brothers were caught between DuCane and the Ackerleys, and Silas wanted them watched.
“You know a lot about the supernatural world.” Valerian decided to start there and see how he responded.
“There are many shifter populations living and working in the Detroit area. It would be difficult to run any sort of business, profitable business, and not run into them.” Theo waspicking and choosing his words with care. “It’s not widely known by any means, but my father works in property management and real estate, and he brokers many exclusive and costly properties. Shifters work for affluent people and companies that do business with my father.”
“Your father introduced you to the paranormal?”
"Not really, it was a gradual awareness, shocking at first, but then you just learn to live with the knowledge and the fact that if you tell anyone, they will kill you." Theo’s hand was gripping Valerian’s thigh tighter as he continued to explain. He understood, but he was clearly not at ease with the subject.
"No one will ever hurt you again, you have my promise," Valerian stated hotly.
“Why, why would you care?" Theo was leaning in and accepting his attentions, but still did not know his value or his meaning in Valerian's life. Valerian turned fully towards him and cupped the side of his face in Valerian’s large hand.
"I'm a hellhound. I don't know if you've ever met one before." Theo shook his head, and his eyes traveled over Valerian's face over and over. "Hellhounds, like other shifters, tend to live solitary, restricted lives. Even when part of a pack or community, we remain internal in many ways. This is due to our long lives and the secret that we hold and maintain. Love and relationships of any depth romantically are impossible for us.” He faltered for a moment when a flash of panic showed in Theo’s eyes.
"I'm not expecting anything from you, Valerian." Theo erupted. "I'm grateful to you for saving me and bringing me here to heal, but I don't expect anything more than that.”
"I expect much more than that," Valerian said with a firm determination. “What I’m telling you is that due toour limitations, Fate has granted the shifter race the gift of mates. They are predestined companions, lovers, with deep and intimate connections.” He watched the expressions pass over Theo's face, observing a succession of wonder, confusion, interest, and then confusion again.
“A shifter recognizes their mate by scent, sight, and sound, and they lock in on that person and will never stray. They will always keep their life and welfare a top priority, and their bond will join them body and soul. It's actually quite profound." Valerian was falling into the description and felt his heart reaching out for his mate. The connection was powerful, and their love was growing by the second.
“What does that have to do with me?” Theo’s voice was only a whisper.
“I heard you cry out, and the sound exploded in my brain. I was suddenly raging, raw, savage, and intent on only one thing: finding you. I tore through those guards like they were paper dolls; nothing was stopping me from saving you.” Theo’s eyes went wide.
"You were on the second floor in the meeting room with Father and Larry and Parson, how could you hear me crying in the basement?"
"Your heart reached out to mine. Our connection struck, and your needs and your welfare became paramount." Valerian held his eyes and ran his fingertips along Theo's jawline. “I would have moved heaven and earth to get to you.”
“I think you did move heaven and earth, and I'm so glad you were there, Valerian. Having someone see me and come for me was something precious. I didn’t know who you were, but I loved you in that moment.” Theo’s candor and directness were appreciated. Valerian could see this relationship makingsignificant progress without the tedious fear of saying too much too soon. He and his mate were on the same page.
"There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you, Theo, and that is a fact.” Theo leaned into his touch and closed his eyes briefly while taking a slow breath. Valerian wanted to kiss him so badly.
“You’re telling me that I am your Fated mate. You pulled me out of that mess because you heard me cry out.”
“Yes.”
“I know a little bit about mates.” He admitted. “The Ackerley family are wolf shifters, but I'm sure you already know that." Valerian nodded. "I was setting up coffee and other refreshments before a scheduled meeting between the Ackerley representatives and my father. They knew I was aware of who they were and had been duly threatened, so they weren't careful of their words." He paused, and Valerian pulled him closer and wrapped him in his arms.
“They were just passing the time and started talking about mates and also about the fact that none of the Ackerleys were with their Fated mates. They said the father and two of the brothers had taken partners and were raising families. The father was on his third wife and having more kids, or rather pups, as they called them. They sounded discouraged and talked about the power and the sanctity of the Fated bond.” Once again, Theo surprised him with the depth of his knowledge. “You learn a lot when your job is to stay out of the way and stay silent.”
"Some paranormals take partners rather than wait for their mate, but they are few. No one wants to be in a long-term relationship and then meet their mate. There is no denying the bond and the overwhelming perfection of their Fated mate. It's worth waiting for, no matter how long it takes."
“How long have you waited?”
"Hellhounds live very long lives, even in paranormal terms. Let’s just say that I have waited many centuries to finally meet you, Theo.” He punctuated that statement with the kiss that he’d been aching for and went all in on showing Theo exactly how deep his love and desire went.
Theo was giving as well as getting; he was frantically reaching for Valerian and pulling him closer, needing the contact and the intimacy as much as Valerian needed it. "You taste so good, Valerian. I can't get enough of how you make me feel. Is this real? Are you real?" Theo panted the words between anxious kisses.
"It's all real, baby. Fate has brought us together, and Fate will seal our bond." Valerian wasn't sure if Theo understood how the bond was completed, but going by his eager touches, he was sure it would not be a problem. Theo was obviously drawn to him, and he enjoyed his touch. Valerian was more than willing to let him do whatever he desired.
