“Yeah. She was really supportive when I took some shit at work for being gay. Then she left to come here, and things got really bad. I had her cell phone number and she told me to call if I ever needed her, but I was determined to stick things out in Atlanta.”
“Were these coworkers who were hassling you?” Nix scowled. “Sorry to stereotype, but you couldn’t have been the first gay male nurse they’d worked with!”
“You’d think, wouldn’t you? I mean, I’ve never hidden who I am. Not since my folks tossed me out like garbage. Since that day, I swore I’d never be anyone but myself, and fuck anybody who wanted me to be different.”
Except me, Nix thought with shame. Just the other day, he offered to change, for me.
“Don’t ever change,” he reiterated. “Not for me, or anybody. Be yourself.”
Noah’s smile was like a ray of sunlight. “I will.”
“So, how exactly did you end up here, at the compound?”
“Things in Atlanta came to a head when two guys were waiting for me late one night when I got off work. They assaulted me beside my car, beat me up, and left me there.”
“What?” Nix’s fangs dropped and his claws sprouted from his fingertips. “I’ll fucking kill both of them.”
“No, sweetie,” he placated, squeezing Nix’s hand. “They went to jail. They forgot that the staff parking garage has security cameras, and there just
wasn’t any defense against what they did when it was all caught on video. The police were very professional, so that part was handled well. But I’d had enough of the city, and placed that call to Melina.”
“And the rest is history.”
“Pretty much.” Noah shivered visibly. “I’ll never forget the day the team rescued you and brought you in. After all those months missing and held captive, you were such a mess, but you hadn’t lost your fighting spirit.”
Stopping, Nix pulled his mate tight against his chest. “I took one look at you, and sticking around suddenly seemed real important. For what it’s worth, I’m glad I did.”
Tears sprang to Noah’s big blue eyes. “That’s the greatest thing anyone’s ever said to me.” A tear escaped to roll down his cheek.
Nix wiped it away with his finger. “Don’t cry, beautiful. I can’t stand it.”
“They’re happy tears.”
Unable to resist, Nix cupped Noah’s face and kissed him tenderly. Why had he ever hesitated? He would never get enough of those lips, of his mate’s heady taste. His wolf growled in pleasure, demanding they take him again. Soon.
Pulling back, Nix tugged his companion down the trail a bit further to a spot that was good for leaving his clothes so he could shift. “Right here, baby. You ready to play with your wolf?”
“Yes!”
Quickly, Nix stripped and placed his clothing on a fallen log. Then he let the change overtake him. His wolf was freed and loped eagerly to his mate, barking happily and dancing around as Noah laughed.
Enough talk. Time for some fun.
4
Nix could’ve run all afternoon, playing with his mate, tackling him to the ground and wrestling, listening to him laugh in delight.
One by one, several of the guys had paired off with their Bondmates, and Nix had to admit had hadn’t understood what was so special about being tied to a partner. Some of the toughest baddasses he’d ever known had been laid low by the love bug, and Nix had actually regarded them with amusement.
Now he got it. Noah was so much more than a partner. The tie between Bondmates was special, and the golden thread between them grew stronger every second.
Eventually, however, he figured Noah must be getting tired and decided it was time to visit the creek before heading back. Nix led the way, liking the feel of his mate’s hand resting on the ruff of his neck. It was reassuring, and he loved Noah’s fingers combing through his thick fur.
At the creek, Noah exclaimed in appreciation. “Oh, it’s beautiful here! I can see why you like this spot. Every mated couple on the team has a favorite place in the forest they sneak off to—maybe this can be ours?”
Nix shifted back to his human form, and stood next to his mate, taking his hand again. “I’d like that. I brought you here hoping you’d love it as much as I do.”
“A sexy, naked man next to a babbling brook in the middle of nowhere? What’s not to love?” He arched a brow.