Goddamn. Many scenarios had gone through Tyler’s mind in the last week, but this hadn’t been one of them.
He’d worried about Alyssa accepting him. Worried she might be pissed that he’d run off. Worried she wouldn’t realize the connection they had in the same way he did.
He’d not factored Michael into the picture. Why had he been so cocky? Why hadn’t it occurred to him she might be mated to Michael and himself? After all, the other Masters men shared their mates with another wolf. Why not Michael? The man probably preferred ménages.
Tyler stood slowly and climbed the steps to the porch, feeling like a man heading for the guillotine. He chose a seat across from Michael and stared at him.
“Michael.” It was the only word Tyler could come up with yet.
“Mystery Man.” Michael shook his head and grinned.
“Right. Sorry. Tyler. Tyler Evans.”
“You caught on fast for a mystery man. Thought I’d have to explain things to you.”
“I could sense the connection with you as soon as you opened the door. Shocked me. I’ve heard of such things but not firsthand.” Tyler gripped the arms of the chair and stared at Michael.
Michael leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “You have a lot of explaining to do.”
“Yeah.” Tyler swallowed. He had questions of his own. “Did she see me? Last week at the rodeo?”
“Nope. But she smelled you.”
“I was afraid of that. I tried to leave as fast as I could, hoping she wouldn’t notice.”
“And why would that be?”
“I didn’t want to upset her life. She’s so happy here.”
“You know her? How? And how do you know who I am? I’ve never seen you before in my life.”
“I was raised in the same pack she was.”
“This can’t be good.” Michael furrowed his brow and shook his head. “Continue,” he demanded.
“The leader, Fredrick Wells, sent me here last week to make sure Alyssa was truly mated to you. I didn’t think anything of it. I’ve been away at school for nearly six years. Not particularly tuned in to the workings of the pack.” Tyler sat back. “When I got here, I spied on your home … from over there.” He pointed to a break in the trees a ways down the road.
“That’s not polite. Why not come to the door? The last assholes Wells sent came straight to the door.”
Tyler jerked at the “asshole” reference that included himself.
“Yeah, I deserve that. Wells only wanted confirmation. I didn’t think Alyssa needed to know I was ever here. When she finally came outside after two days, and I saw her face, I knew immediately I couldn’t do it. I remember a sad, mousy young girl. Our pack did that to her. I decided on the spot to tell Wells she was mated to you, as his cronies, Alfred and Judas, had insisted two years ago, no matter what and get him off her back.”
“Why did Wells send you to check up on Alyssa after all this time?”
“I have no idea. Been wondering that myself. He didn’t say, nor did he act like he cared when I told him you were mated.”
“Why didn’t you leave after you saw her at the house?”
“Something propelled me to follow her anyway, get a closer look. Obviously, closer wasn’t a good choice. As soon as I got within a few yards I knew she was mine.”
“She was mine first, dude.”
Tyler gazed into Michael’s eyes, judging his level of animosity. Who could blame Michael for being pissed? If the roles were reversed, Tyler would probably shoot first and ask questions later.
He was rather surprised by the calm stance Michael had.
“So, Alyssa came home from that rodeo last week and told you she’d found a second mate?”
“Something like that.”
Why was the man being so vague? What did he have to lose? “That must have been … unpleasant.”
“Rather.”
“I know you don’t owe me squat, but may I ask you a few questions? I’m ignorant when it comes to the normal working of a pack and even more so when it comes to ménages.”
Michael didn’t consent or deny him the opportunity. He just continued to stare Tyler down with a permanent scowl.
Might as well forge ahead. What do you have to lose?
Michael smirked. “I can hear your thoughts, asshole.”
Tyler jerked at the direct communication inside his head. “You’re in my head?”
Michael’s face fell as he sobered his expression. “Of course. Mates can do that. Obviously we were intended to—”
“Right. I’ve heard of that.” He paused. He couldn’t even begin to deal with that idea right then. “How do these threesomes usually work? I mean … I assume since your brothers live this lifestyle…” He couldn’t get the words to come out quite right. It seemed important that he not piss this man off any more than necessary.