Page 22 of Beneath His Alpha's Wings
“We should,” he said with a nervous chuckle.
I clicked my teeth a couple of times thoughtfully. I had no idea where to begin.
“I know we’re true mates,” Lucas blurted, saving me.
“You do?” I said, surprised.
“Well,” he shrugged. “Sort of. I mean, I know that it's like a soulmate and that a true mate is what can save an alpha from dying during a full moon?”
I nodded. “Those are pretty much the two key things,” I said with a weak chuckle.
“And I know that…” He raised hand to his collarbone. “I know that it hurts when you meet yours. And that they make you kind of crazy.”
“I think that's the first time anyone telling me I make them crazy has been a compliment.” I arched an eyebrow at him. “At least I hope it’s a compliment.”
“It is,” he said softly. His eyes flicked down for a moment, studying me, before they came back up to meet mine. The thought made me a little bit horny and I flushed, knowing that he had probably seen my dick give a little twitch.
“Last night,” he said softly. “When I said I didn't want to shift in my bunker...” I nodded, trying to think of a way to let him know that if I had my way, he would never have to worry about doing it alone again, when he went on. “It's not because I didn't want to do it. You know, like because I'm scared or something.”
I frowned. “Then why?”
“I had a dream,” he admitted. I waited curiously as Lucas took a deep breath and I swear his voice broke a little bit. “I had a dream that I spent the full moon in my bunker. And you died.”
“Oh…” I said, Not at all where I expected he was going with that.
“And in my dream, I knew that your owl was trying to, you know, get into the bunker to be with me. Because it knew, and…” HE swallowed nervously and his next words came out in a rush, and it took me my brain a moment to process them all. “And I know that you haven't been saying anything because you don't want me, and I just figured we needed to have this conversation anyway. And I knew I'd never forgive myself if you died or something. Because of me. Because I was putting it off because I was afraid to hear how you felt. And because… um…”
“Hang on,” I said quickly. “Why wouldn't I want you?”
Lucas seemed surprised by my question. He slowly put a hand on his stomach. “I'm carrying someone else's baby.”
“So?”
Lucas seemed taken aback. “Well, it sounds like a true mate is so great and that everybody wants one. And I figure you would have assumed that the upcoming full moon would have been really hard for you with me here. I thought you’d want to jump on the chance to be with me as soon as possible. And… and claim me or whatever it's called. Since you haven't… I assumed…”
I cut him off with a kiss. His eyes widened in surprise and then he kissed me back. I could have kept kissing him forever, but I carefully pulled away, knowing that the conversation needed to be finished.
“I've already raised another man's child. And my true mate didn't even give birth to that one.”
“You… what? Oh! Your son?”
I nodded.
“You said he was… he’s out of town for like a year, right? So that humans um… forget him?”
I was pleased Lucas remembered the brief conversation we had about ‘Tesh. “Right. He should be back in a couple of months though. And he’ll be thrilled to meet you.” I put my hand back on his belly. “And his brother.”
As if he knew we were talking about him, I swear a little hand pressed gently against mine. “I don't know how much you know about true mates,” I said. “But believe me when I say I love you with all of my heart.” I couldn't believe this was really happening. I'd found my true mate at last and he was already turned! I’d never have to feel the agony of finding a human true mate and being forced to give him up.
“I love you,” I repeated, gently pressing against the hand in his belly. “And I’ll love this baby too.Ourbaby.”
His eyes brimmed with tears and he through his arms around me. I hugged him back. We stayed just like that. I breathed in his heavenly scent and basked in it, before he finally mumbled against my shoulder. “Then why did you wait for so long? You’ve known I’m your true mate for a month.”
My arms tightened around him. “Because I'm an idiot,” I said. “You kind of had a shitty introduction to our world. You were changed against your will and I still don't know what lies that feral shifter told you to manipulate you. You didn’t seem to be very interested in talking about it. And I know you weren't sure whether or not you could trust me.” I shook my head sadly. “I was afraid that if I started talking to you about fate and true mates and all that, you'd think it was just a trick.”
“I probably would have,” he admitted. “But even though I have been kind of stubborn about listening to you, you’ve said and uh…” He winced. “I’ve overheard a few things. I'm afraid I don't really know what lies he told me either, except I've definitely figured out a few things. Enough that I'd be inclined to trust you, even if you weren't my true mate.”
“Oh yeah?” I said hopefully. True mates didn't sound like something a feral shifter would have told him. “Where did you hear about true mates anyway?”
