7. Adan
SEVEN
ADAN
The conference had been much the same as most other conferences; the sessions during the day ranged from boring, to interesting, to valuable for work, and to me hanging on every word.
But as usual, the most useful time was in the evening when attendees mingled and networked. But Thursday, everyone was going to the movies, and I was skipping it to see Braylon and family. Maybe the conference attendees would go for a drink afterward and deals might be made, friendships forged, but I’d discovered from previous week-long events that people were fatigued by Thursday and needed downtime.
Perfect for me to meet up with my mate. And while I was happy to be sharing him with his family, I looked forward to getting back home when we could date like a regular human couple.
You’re not human .
Thanks for pointing that out .
I was waiting in the hotel lobby, and once they arrived, we’d decide where to eat, hoping that if we were driving somewhere, Braylon might accompany me rather than go in his family’s car.
Checking my watch for the hundredth time, I sensed movement from the corner of my eye and a scent. Shifter! That wasn’t surprising. Many of the people at the conference were shifters.
But this particular scent had a whiff of regal, and I swung around.
Shit, not here, not when I was meeting Braylon.
“Excellency.” I kept my voice low. If the crowd in the lobby thought a VIP was amongst them, they’d be snapping pics even though most wouldn’t have a clue who he was. “What a pleasant surprise.”
The older man strolled up to me, his suit impeccable, his tie knotted just so.
“Adan, I happened to be in the neighborhood and thought I’d catch up.”
Excellency never happened anywhere. He was checking on me.
“Have you marked your mate?”
“We’re a long way from that, Excellency.” I explained how we’d met.
He studied me, his eyes boring into me as if retrieving all the information from my brain. “Remember, no shifting before you mate.”
I’d hoped he’d changed his mind. “May I ask a question, sir?”
“Go ahead. I might not answer it.”
“How did you know I’d met Braylon?”
He tapped his nose. “I’ll never tell.”
Spying was a sordid business, and I wanted a shower, thinking someone might be watching us when Braylon’s family and I went for dinner. I’d not seen or scented the snarky guy, so it’d be someone else.
“About the mating?—”
I caught Braylon’s scent and hoped my conversation with Excellency was at an end. But he stayed at my side while I welcomed my mate and his family. Aunt Ellie, Uncle Saul, and Braylon looked from me to Excellency.I assumed they were waiting for an introduction and wondering why I hadn’t done the honors.
I couldn’t say who he was and how I knew him. But he was more suave and experienced at dealing with both humans and shifters, and he turned on the charm.
“Adan seems to have forgotten his manners.”
Of course he had to get a dig in at me.
“I’m Dexter, an old friend of Adan’s family.”
Names were exchanged, and Saul asked if he was accompanying us to dinner. But Excellency said he had other plans. Phew! He addressed Braylon and told him he’d see him in a few weeks. “Maybe sooner if Adan is a fast worker.”
Grrr. He was doing this deliberately, needling and pushing me to mate.
And then he was gone, leaving a whiff of his powerful scent lingering in the air.
“What an intriguing man,” Ellie noted.
I didn’t want to discuss Excellency and turned the conversation to what they wanted to eat. They were more familiar with the town than I was, and Saul suggested we eat Indian.
“The spicier the better.” He grinned and patted his tummy. “I love the burn.”
“Me too.” I was glad we could bond over yummy spicy food.
There was a little awkwardness when we got outside as to who was going in whose car, but I dove straight in and asked Braylon if he’d like to go with me.
“Of course.” He grinned, the smile stretching from ear to ear. “You might be lonely by yourself.”
I followed Saul’s car, my mate’s cloying scent clinging to my skin.
“You and your family are so close. I envy you.” I braked at a red light and swiveled my head toward him.
“Are you related to Dexter? You share some of the same mannerisms.”
Hardly. My folks and I didn’t get along, and they had moved overseas to be closer to my brother and his kids. My current pack was not the one I was born into, and my parents didn’t agree with me being part of a pack who didn’t live as a group.
We might not live on pack lands or eat in a communal kitchen, but we celebrated festivals together and had regular meetups.
“No. He’s an old family friend.”
He’s not. That’s a lie .
For the moment, I explained. When I marked Braylon and he met my wolf, he’d understand why I hadn’t been able to tell the truth.
“I’m surprised. You have the same eyes.”
I didn’t respond and the conversation ended there.
As we shared dishes and caught up on what we’d been doing all week, Braylon put a hand on either side of his face. “We did it again.”
How I wished we had, but we hadn’t gotten to the naked bit yet or even kissed.
“The housewarming gift. I assume it’s at the hotel.”
Shit. I blamed Excellency, because without him appearing and throwing me off my game, I might have remembered. Maybe. If I looked into my motives, I may have deliberately forgotten it.
I could have reminded you, but I didn’t. My wolf sniggered.
Seemed we were both thinking alike in wanting an excuse to see our mate again.
“We can swing by on the way home.” That was Saul, and Ellie glowered at him.
“But it’ll be too late, and we have to drive home.” Ellie was determined to get her nephew and me together.
I was supposed to fly home Saturday, but I’d taken leave Monday and Tuesday. That was four days that I could hang around, maybe see Braylon. I’d have to stay at an Airbnb because the hotel was too expensive if I was paying the accommodation myself.
“If it’s okay with you, I can drive out Saturday and bring it.”
Ellie shot Braylon a look. He cleared his throat. “When do you have to get home?”
“Not until Tuesday evening.”
Ellie couldn’t contain herself. “Perfect,” she gushed. “You could stay a night or two or three with us… if you’d like to.”
I sent Braylon a glance, and he smiled, a small cautious one that broadened when I accepted the invitation.
I insisted on paying for the meal, as they had driven into town and I was to be their guest for three nights. Now I had to buy them a present. A housewarming gift would be appropriate, but I’d have to confirm with Braylon what to buy. I anticipated more texts flying back and forth.
I hugged my mate and his family before they left and promised I’d arrive before lunch Saturday. Changing my flight wouldn’t be a problem. I’d probably be up at the crack of dawn wanting to see Braylon, but I couldn’t turn up at their place before breakfast. Or could I?
Back in my room, I stared out at the city lights. My wolf hadn’t shifted since Saturday and was itching to take his fur. But I was tired. We could spend the hours hunting before meeting Braylon on Saturday.
I had little opportunity to message my mate on Friday, and there was a huge end of conference dinner and drinks in the evening. It was late when I returned to my room, but I sent a quick text.
See you tomorrow .
Looking forward to it .
My wolf woke me while it was still dark, and not being able to get back to sleep, I packed my things and showered before heading to breakfast. Rather than shifting just outside of town, I decided to give my beast his fur not far from Rosedale. I could lose myself in my thoughts while he hunted, rather than looking at my watch and wishing the time away.
Rosedale was surrounded by woods, and I pulled off the road and walked into the forest. Removing my clothes, I stared upward at the snippets of blue sky showing between the towering trees. There had been few cars on the road, and the only sounds were the wind, the birds, and the forest animals.
You should find a deer or a fox to hunt .
A number of things happened at once.
A twig crackled as a foot snapped it.
A man appeared in the clearing.
His mouth formed a scream as he caught a glance of my nakedness. Shit, shit, shit. What was I supposed to do now?
I hauled my wolf back as he was about to take his fur. Please don’t shift. It might ruin everything.