Nicholas had marked and claimed him during a stressful situation and then ignored Adam for weeks. He was afraid that he might lose his mate before the two of them could create a strong bond.
“Have you ever heard of this happening before?”
“It’s not uncommon to have more than two people involved in a mate bond. There are a few ménage relationships in our pack, but this thing with the three of us is a little different.”
At least that was the way it seemed. It wasn’t as if members of his pack went around sharing intimate details about their personal relationships. Matings were personal and kept between the couple or ménage.
“What do we do now?” Nicholas asked.
“I don’t know.”
Chapter Nine
Nicholas couldn’t believe he’d lost control again. It seemed that he didn’t have any power where his jaguar was concerned. The animal took charge, forcing Nicholas to mark and claim both Adam and Kaden. He had two mates. It all seemed like a weird dream. How was he supposed to handle this?
Shifters, as a whole, didn’t like to share, but so far, Adam seemed to be taking the news fairly well. He was calm. It was a nice change from Nicholas’s previous experience. The Alphas from his youth were territorial, ruthless, and cruel. Adam wasn’t what Nicholas expected.
“I’m tired,” he admitted.
“I’m not surprised,” Adam murmured. “You’ve been through a lot recently. It might be a good idea to take a nap.”
“I will, but I need you to do me a favor.”
“Anything,” he promised.
“Will you find Kaden and bring him back here?” Nicholas asked. “The three of us need to talk.”
Adam was silent. He sat frozen, as if Nicholas had given him an impossible task. Nicholas knew he was asking a lot of Adam, but if the three of them didn’t talk, things were bound to get worse. Nicholas didn’t see how he could keep the two relationships separate. Traveling back and forth between two houses and splitting his time wasn’t realistic long term. He needed to figure out a way to bring them all together, but he was sure it wasn’t going to be easy.
It really was a blessing that Adam and Kaden had been lovers before Nicholas came into their world. Knowing that bit of information, Nicholas was almost positive the two might become lovers once again.
“I don’t think I can do that.”
“Why?”
“I said some things…” he started.
“What kind of things?” Nicholas asked, encouraging Adam to continue.
“I was angry, and I lashed out at Kaden. I hurt his feelings.”
Nicholas nodded. “Are you still angry?” If the situation had been reversed, Nicholas knew he would’ve been upset as well.
“I’m more confused than anything else. I don’t understand how this happened. If the three of us are supposed to be together, why aren’t Kaden and I mates?”
Nicholas shrugged. “That’s why we need to talk.”
“What are you hoping the outcome will be?”
Nicholas wasn’t sure what he wanted. It would be easier if the three of them could be together and live in the same house, but he didn’t want to push a relationship onto Adam and Kaden. They needed to talk, and then, hopefully, they would come to the same conclusion. He imagined Adam and Kaden together and waited for jealousy to take over, but that emotion never came. Instead, the erotic pictures inside his mind were exciting and sexy.
“I want us all to come to an agreement.”
“Okay.” Adam stood up. “I’ll go and talk with Kaden, if you stay here and take a nap.”
“I know this is difficult for you, but I appreciate the fact that you’re making an effort.”
“For you.” Adam leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss on Nicholas’s forehead. “I’m doing this for you, my mate.”
As far as first kisses went, it wasn’t enough for Nicholas. He’d been waiting a long time to share a real kiss with Adam. Standing up, he moistened his lips. Reaching out a shaky hand, Nicholas cupped Adam’s face, rubbing his thumb along the scruff.
“Thank you,” he whispered before leaning forward and connecting their lips.
Nicholas closed his eyes. His mate’s lips were softer than he expected. He’d been dreaming about the man’s lips, and now, he was actually kissing him. It was unbelievable.
Adam’s masculine scent surrounded him, filling his head. He inhaled deeply, pulling the smell of fresh pine and cedar into his lungs. Nicholas’s heart fluttered. It felt as if an important piece of his soul had been returned after being gone for far too long. The mate bond was growing between them, tying them together. Now, Nicholas needed Kaden. Once the three of them were together, he would be complete.