Unexpected Mate(27)
“Adam,” Seth said, opening the door. “Would you like to come in?”
Adam stepped over the threshold. “Is Kaden available?”
“He’s in the guest room at the end of the hall. I’ll take Luke and Michael out to give the two of you some privacy.”
“Thank you, I really appreciate that.”
“I know this situation may be upsetting for you, but try to keep an open mind. Give Kaden a chance to talk and explain a few things. You may be pleasantly surprised.”
“I will,” he promised.
Adam headed down the long hallway. When he got to the door, he knocked. He stepped back and shoved his hands into his pockets, waiting for Kaden to invite him in. He wasn’t sure if the other shifter would even agree to see him after the way he’d reacted. He said some hurtful things to one of his oldest friends. Adam knew Kaden well enough to know that the other man would never intentionally betray him.
The door swung open, revealing a disheveled Kaden. He was wearing a pair of flannel pajamas and his favorite black beanie. His nose was bright red, and his eyes were swollen. Adam knew without a doubt that Kaden’s current appearance was his fault.
“I’m sorry,” Adam whispered. Pulling his hands out of his pockets, Adam enfolded Kaden in a tight embrace, holding him close. “Please forgive me.”
Kaden sniffled. “I forgive you.”
He exhaled, wrapping his arms around Adam’s waist. Kaden placed his head against Adam’s chest, rubbing his cheek along Adam’s shirt. The hug was familiar, forcing Adam to remember all the time they’d spent together and all the memories they’d shared.
“If you would’ve given me a chance to talk,” Kaden said, his voice shaky, “I could’ve explained everything.”
“I wasn’t ready to listen before,” Adam told him honestly. “But I’m ready now.”
Kaden nodded. He dropped his arms and took a step back. Shuffling his feet against the cream-colored carpet, Kaden made his way over to a small sitting area and dropped down into one of the chairs. Adam joined him. He strolled over and took a seat.
“When I found out that you had a mate, I was really happy for you,” Kaden started, and Adam could see the sincerity in his eyes. “After you went upstairs, I went for a walk. I needed some time to think. Seth found me, and we talked. I told him the truth. I told him that I loved you. And he made me realize that anything was possible.”
Adam swallowed down the ball of emotion that clogged his throat. He’d fallen in love with Kaden but had never shared his thoughts or feelings with Kaden since the two of them weren’t mates.
“What did he say?” Adam asked.
“Seth, Michael, and Luke…the three of them aren’t destined mates.” Adam’s eyes widened, and his mouth dropped open in surprise. “Luke is the one that brought the three of them together.”
“Wait…” Adam lifted his hand, stopping Kaden. “Are you saying that Seth and Michael aren’t mates? Because the two of them were together before Luke came into the picture.”
“I know.” He nodded. “That’s why I wanted to meet Nicholas. I didn’t know if we were mates, but I was hoping that he might bring the three of us together. I never wanted our relationship to end.”
Leaning back, Adam stared at Kaden as he tried to process everything. Adam’s biggest concern was sharing Nicholas. His wolf was territorial and possessive. He wasn’t sure how to control the beast’s instincts. “How did they make it work?”
“After a lot of fighting”—Kaden gave him a pointed look—”Seth and Michael decided the best thing they could do was mark and claim each other.”
Adam nodded his understanding. If he continued to be at odds with Kaden, they would only hurt Nicholas and destroy their relationship. If he marked and claimed Kaden, would his wolf accept the other man as a mate? Could it be that easy?
It seemed impossible, but he couldn’t deny the connection between Seth, Michael, and Luke. Adam never knew that the three of them weren’t destined to be together.
“Are you ready to come back home?”
Kaden smiled. “I think you should spend the night with Nicholas.”
Adam shook his head. “No, absolutely not. Nicholas wanted me to bring you back home, and that’s what I’m going to do.”
“The two of you need some time alone.”
“Listen, if we’re going to make this work, the three of us need to be together—” he started.
“We are going to be together,” Kaden interrupted. “But I know how domineering your wolf is. He needs to claim his mate without an audience. If I go back with you now, your wolf might consider me a threat. Things could get a lot worse if that happens.”