Unexpected Mate(30)

The only obstacle Adam could see was his wolf. The animal would need to accept Kaden. If he didn’t, the outcome could be disastrous for them all. Truth be told, Adam wanted things to work with Kaden. But it wasn’t only his decision. The Alpha wolf would have a say. If he felt Kaden was competition for Nicholas’s affection, the beast would take him out. It might seem harsh, but it was the way things were in the shifter world. Mates were a blessing from fate, and an interloper wasn’t welcome.

Adam jerked upright when a pair of arms wrapped around his waist. Turning around, he came face to face with Nicholas.

“The bed was getting cold without you,” Nicholas told him.

Adam couldn’t help but smile. Nicholas missed his presence. It was a very good sign. “I was only going to take a quick shower, but my mind wandered.”

“What are you thinking about?”

He sighed. “Kaden.”

“Did you talk to him? Did you bring him home?”

“We talked. Kaden said he would come home tomorrow. He wanted us to have some time alone. But I’m not worried about Kaden right now. I’m thinking about my wolf and if he’ll accept Kaden as your second mate.”

Nicholas’s brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”

“Our pack is different than other packs. Unlike most shifters, our wolves live like separate beings inside of us. When I’m in my wolf form, the animal is in complete control, blocking out most of my human thoughts and emotions. I’m not always cognizant when I shift, and if I was to shift around Kaden and my wolf didn’t accept him—” He instantly stopped speaking, not wanting to worry Nicholas.

Adam could see the moment when his mate realized how serious this situation could become. “You might kill him.”

Adam nodded.

“So, even if you accept him, your wolf might not.”

Again, he nodded.

Nicholas was silent. He paced away from Adam, walking around the small stall. Adam waited, knowing that his mate was thinking things through.

“I don’t think you’ll hurt him.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because you and Kaden were lovers,” he said, facing Adam once more. “You had a relationship. Your wolf will recognize him. Plus, I don’t think fate would give me two mates and then force one to kill the other. That would be too cruel.”

“What if you’re wrong?” Adam asked. “Are you willing to put Kaden’s life in jeopardy? If you match my wolf against his, I could slaughter him.”

“I trust you.”

Adam gave him a pointed look. “It’s not me you have to worry about.”

“We’ll test it tomorrow.”

“Test what exactly?”

“You and Kaden,” he said, confirming Adam’s worst fear. “When Kaden comes over tomorrow, you both can shift. The sooner we face this, the better. I don’t want us living in fear.”

If his wolf killed Kaden, Nicholas would hate him forever. There was no way their mating could survive something so traumatic. Nicholas would have an emotional breakdown.

“This isn’t a good idea,” Adam muttered.

“Come on.” Nicholas reached around him, shutting the water off. “Let’s go to bed.”

Nicholas pushed the shower stall door open and stepped out. A cool breeze drifted into the enclosure, and goose bumps broke out along his arms. Nicholas grabbed two towels off a nearby rack and handed one off to Adam. He rubbed the soft, cotton material over his body, drying off before cinching the fabric around his waist.

He grasped Adam’s hand, leading him back into the bedroom. Adam dragged his bare feet against the plush carpet, shutting off the lights on the way.

Adam dropped the towel to the floor before climbing into bed with his mate. He wrapped his arms around Nicholas’s waist, pulling him in close, spooning their bodies together. Taking a deep breath, Adam pulled his mate’s scent deep into his lungs, clearing his head. All of his stress seemed to disappear.

Tomorrow, I’ll worry about it tomorrow.





Chapter Eleven




Nicholas woke up to the scent of bacon tickling his nose. Slowly opening his eyes, he lifted his arms over his head and stretched. The room was still dark, although Nicholas could see thin slivers of sunlight peeking in through the edges of the dark blinds. Glancing toward Adam, he smiled at his mate, who was still fast asleep.

Rolling to the edge of the bed, Nicholas threw his legs over the side and rose to his feet, careful not to wake Adam. He grabbed his jeans and T-shirt off the dresser before tiptoeing out of the room. Closing the door behind him, Nicholas got dressed in the hallway. He walked down the stairs, following a soft humming sound to the kitchen. Leaning against the threshold, Nicholas grinned.