Chapter Two
Chris had never realized that he could panic for such a long time, but he’d been freaking out over Drake ever since he’d met him yesterday, and he still didn’t know what to do. He’d been hiding in his bedroom, feeling like a child but unable to leave his bed.
Drake was his mate, but he didn’t know what to do. The only thing he did know was that Drake wouldn’t find him in his bedroom, which was why he was there. Unfortunately for him, he’d eaten all the snacks he’d kept there, which meant that if he wanted to eat, he’d have to leave the safety of his bed.
He wasn’t looking forward to it. For some reason, he expected Drake to jump out from behind the couch or something and surprise him. He didn’t know why Drake would do that or how he’d be at the pride house, but when he thought about it, he started freaking out all over again, and there was only one way to deal with that.
Burying deeper in his bed.
It wasn’t like anyone would notice, anyway. No one had realized he wasn’t at dinner yesterday or at breakfast this morning. Kyle was focused on Dennis and their new relationship, while Jennifer had made a bunch of friends and barely even thought of Chris at this point. Their grandfather might have noticed that Chris wasn’t around, but he was busy relaxing and finally not feeling like he was responsible for his grandkids’ well-being, and Chris didn’t want to take that away from him.
He pushed the blankets away from his face and stared at the ceiling. Why was he hiding? Why did he feel so panicked at the thought of being with his mate? It wasn’t like Drake had done anything to him. They barely knew each other, but they were mates, which meant they were supposed to work well together. Chris had a hard time believing it, but he’d seen bonded couples together, and he knew that was true. They really did belong together.
Like he belonged with Drake.
He sucked in a breath and squeezed his eyes shut. Why was he so afraid of this? Just yesterday, he’d been bemoaning the fact that he was the only one who felt like he didn’t belong here. He was the only one who didn’t have a mate, new friends, or an entire library to read.
Well, he had a mate now. He just needed to find Drake, talk to him, and see where they both stood. Surely he could do that.
He wasn’t sure.
When he thought about doing it, he panicked all over again. He might not understand why he felt that way, but he did feel like the only way out of this would be to run away, and he couldn’t ignore that.
A knock on his door startled him. He listened for a moment, trying to figure out who it was, but he couldn’t. He wasn’t sure he wanted to find out, but at the same time, they might worry about him and go to the alpha. Chris still wasn’t sure what he thought of Gal, and he’d rather avoid annoying the bear shifter.
He crawled out of bed and went to open. There was a second knock before he could reach the door, and he rolled his eyes. “I’m coming,” he yelled. He looked around the room, but it was too messy for him to be able to do anything about it now. Besides, it was probably someone from his family, and they were used to him being messy.
Sure enough, he found Jennifer standing in the hallway. She looked him up and down and cocked her head, silently asking a question.
Chris ignored her. “What?”
“Is that a way to greet your favorite sister?”
“You’re my only sister, and yet you’re still not my favorite.”
She pushed Chris, and he stumbled back, which gave her enough space to walk into the bedroom. She closed the door and leaned against it as if she was afraid that Chris would run away if she didn’t.
He might.
“What?” he asked again.
“You weren’t at dinner yesterday.”
“I’m surprised you managed to look away from Annabelle long enough to notice that.”
Jennifer blinked. “What are you talking about?”
“Nothing.” Chris didn’t want Jennifer to feel guilty or like she shouldn’t be having fun with her friends. This was Chris’s problem, not hers. It wasn’t her fault that he was an introvert who would rather have his teeth pulled than casually talk to people. It made making friends almost impossible, and that was when he didn’t isolate himself.
“You also weren’t at breakfast this morning,” Jennifer pushed. “It’s weird, because you’re always the first in line when it comes to eating. Unless you were out?”
Chris opened his arms, gesturing to himself. “Does it look like I’ve been out?” He was wearing a pair of pajama pants and a t-shirt with holes at the neckline.
“With you, I’m never sure. It looks like you’re in your pajamas, but it could also be something you’d wear to the grocery store.”
“Why did I let you in again?”
“You didn’t. I came in because I was worried about you.” Her expression softened. “What is it? I know we’re not spending as much time together as we used to, but it doesn’t mean I don’t care. You know that if there’s anything I can do, I want to help you. You just need to talk to me.”
For a moment, Chris thought about telling her everything. What would she say if he did? She’d be happy for him, and she wouldn’t understand why he was so hesitant. He didn’t understand it himself. He wanted to belong, and having a mate in town would help with that, yet thinking of Drake made him panic. What was it about him that made Chris simultaneously want him and want to run away from him?
“Chris?” Jennifer asked softly.
Chris shook his head. “I’m fine. I don’t need to talk to you or to anyone else.”
“It doesn’t look like it. I think something happened yesterday, but I can’t help if you don’t tell me. We tell each other everything.”
“That was before, Jen. Things have changed since we arrived here. You’ve changed.”
Her expression fell, making Chris feel like an asshole. He wanted to take back the words, but they were true. Jennifer had changed. It was for the best, since now she had a future, friends, and people who would support her through everything and didn’t care about who her parents were. Chris wanted that for her, but he wasn’t sure where that left him.
“I’m sorry,” she murmured.
“You don’t need to be. This is why we moved, isn’t it? So we could all have a better life. That’s what you’re building. I want you to continue doing so, and you shouldn’t have to worry about your brother as you do.”
She put her hands on her hips. “You’re my baby brother. Do you really think I could stop worrying about you?”
“Gosh, I hope so, because I’ve had enough of you calling me your baby brother. I’m twenty-eight.”
“A baby.”
Chris grabbed one of his shoes from the floor and threw it at her. She laughed and jumped out of the way, letting it land against the wall. Hopefully, it hadn’t gotten scuffed. That didn’t stop Chris from threatening Jennifer with his second shoe.
She raised her hands. “Fine. No need to assault me with a deadly weapon.”
“It’s a shoe,” Chris complained.
“Exactly. A deadly weapon.”
He was tempted to throw the shoe at her, but instead, he dumped it back where he’d found it and flopped on the bed.
“Look, I’m not going to push, even though I can see that something’s happening,” Jennifer said as she stepped closer and squeezed Chris’s shoulder. “I’m sure you’ll talk to us once you feel ready. I just want you to know that whatever happens, I’m here for you. You’re my family, first and foremost. I love that the pride welcomed us, and I hope we’ll never have to leave, but if I have to choose between them and you, there’s no competition.”
Chris reached up and squeezed his sister’s shoulder. “You’re sure about that?”
“More sure than anything else in my life. I mean, I love this place and Annabelle and everyone else, so of course I hope we can stay, but if we can’t, I’m coming with you.”
Chris pulled his sister closer, grinning when she yelped and grabbed his shoulders for balance. He hugged her, burying his face against her stomach like he did when he was younger. She was only a few years older than him, but they’d always been close.
Chris prayed that would never change.
* * * *
Drake didn’t know anything about Chris. That was a problem.
It meant he had no idea where to find Chris. He didn’t even know if Chris lived in Green Hill proper or outside of it. He’d mentioned that he’d recently moved here with his family, but unfortunately, that didn’t help Drake locate him.
He groaned and bumped his head against the table. He was having lunch at the coffee shop, part of him hoping he’d find Chris here, but he was nowhere to be seen. Drake hadn’t actually expected him to be, but he’d hoped.
How did one find someone they knew nothing about? It wasn’t like Drake could walk the streets of Green Hill screaming for Chris. Eventually Chris might hear him, and even if he didn’t, he’d definitely hear all the gossip, but it wasn’t how Drake wanted to start things between them.
He tapped his fingertips on the table before taking a sip of coffee. He’d have to get back to work soon, but since he’d spent his entire half-hour thinking about Chris and not coming up with any solution, maybe it wasn’t a bad thing. Maybe he needed to distract himself from Chris and the fact that he was somewhere out there, living in town, and there was a chance that Drake would never find him.
He shook his head. He couldn’t think that way. Green Hill was a small town, and while a lot of people lived here, it wasn’t so big that Drake couldn’t find a newcomer like Chris. He suspected that he’d have to ask around and find the right people who could tell him where Chris and his family were. It felt a bit like an invasion of privacy, especially since Chris had left before he could give Drake his number, but Drake needed to know.
Why had Chris run away? Why had he looked like he’d rather die than have a mate?
It hurt to think that. Drake had been looking for his mate for a long time, possibly ever since he’d learned what mates were. He’d finally found him, but he might have ruined everything by being himself.
Where did that leave him?
Well, he knew that if Chris ever gave him a second chance, he’d make sure not to be himself. That was usually why people ran, and he didn’t want Chris to run.
So being himself was out. Drake would have to keep quiet, give Chris space to speak, and listen to him. That wouldn’t be a hardship, because he was interested in Chris and wanted to find out as much as he could about him, but usually, he talked a lot. He liked talking to people about his experiences because he felt it made him more relatable.
How many people could relate to a man dumped by his mate on the sidewalk without one word of explanation?
He stared at his phone. He hadn’t told anyone about Chris yet, and part of him wanted to keep all of it a secret. If he didn’t tell his friends, he wouldn’t have to admit that Chris had run away from him. He wouldn’t have to tell them how horrible it must have been for Chris to realize that they were mates. It was clear he didn’t want to spend the rest of his life with Drake, which Drake supposed was fine. It wasn’t like he could force anyone to be with him, let alone his mate.
It wasn’t fine. It was so painful that it broke his heart. There was only one explanation for Chris running, and it was that he didn’t want Drake. Clearly, Chris hadn’t had the courage to tell him face-to-face, so instead, he’d left him behind.
And that left Drake picking through the shards of what remained of his heart, trying to find a new reason to live.
He took another sip of coffee and admitted that he was being dramatic. It wasn’t like he was dying or anything. It might feel like that for a bit, but Drake had had boyfriends before Chris, and if Chris rejected him, he’d have boyfriends after him, too.
He just didn’t want to.
He hesitated. He wasn’t sure he wanted to tell anyone about the rejection, but he had friends, and they’d be happy to find out he’d met his mate—before turning angry and threatening Chris when Drake told them he’d run. A few of them would probably offer to go get him and drag him back, which Drake would be tempted to accept if he knew where to find him.
He shook his head and unlocked his phone. He had a group text with Dennis, Taylor, and Jacob. He pulled that up, then hesitated, trying to think of what to write.
I didn’t tell you what happened yesterday , he typed and sent.
Jacob’s three dots started dancing on the screen. Drake waited for his answer to come through, rolling his eyes when it did. A squirrel stole your donut?
Drake’s fingers flew on the screen. That happened one time. There’s no need for you to bring it up every time we text.
What would be the fun in that? Jacob answered.
And where would be the fun of not telling you that I met my mate? There. Drake might as well come clean and tell his friends everything.
More dots started dancing on the screen. Jacob wasn’t the only one answering, and Drake leaned back, waiting. He already knew his friends would have something to say, which was fine because it was why he was reaching out to them. He needed advice.
Of the four of them, only Dennis had a mate, and the relationship was recent. He might not be able to tell Drake much, but maybe Drake would be lucky. Maybe it was a way for him to locate his mate when they weren’t bonded yet.
Congratulations! Taylor texted. Jacob texted the same seconds later.
What he said , Dennis texted. When were you going to tell us?
Gosh, Drake wanted to hug the three of them. He would if they were here, but it felt easier to tell them this through texts. Usually Drake preferred texts, maybe emails, but right now, he wished he had his friends here so he could hug them.
It only happened yesterday, and I’m still confused , Drake admitted.
Finding your mate will do that to you.
It’s not fair, Jacob complained.
You’ll find your mate, too, eventually , Drake told him. But I’m really confused, and I don’t know anything about him, and I don’t know how to find him.
Where are you? Dennis asked.
Coffee shop. I still have about ten minutes before I have to go back to work.
Dennis didn’t answer. In fact, none of the three texted again, leaving Drake to stare at his phone, hoping they would. He’d just told them he’d met his mate. Surely they were happy for him? They might even throw him a tiny party of four—or five if Drake ever managed to find Chris.
The coffee shop door opened, and like every time it had today, Drake looked up, hoping it was Chris. It wasn’t, but it was the next best thing.
Jacob and Dennis made a beeline for him. Dennis bumped his shoulder against Jacob’s, tilting his chin toward the counter. Drake could almost hear the whine coming from Jacob, but Jacob didn’t argue and went up to the counter to order coffee while Dennis dropped into the chair in front of Drake.
“You met your mate,” he said.
Drake nodded. “And promptly lost him. He just—left, and I don’t even have his number. I don’t know how to find him.”
Dennis reached over the table and squeezed Drake’s hand. “I don’t want you to worry about any of this. Green Hill is a small town, so as long as he lives here, we’ll find him. You just have to tell us everything you know about him.”
“But not until I’m there, too,” Jacob yelled.
Dennis grinned and raised his hand. His eyes widened when he noticed a little boy staring at him, so he wiggled his fingers at him instead of giving Jacob the middle finger like Drake suspected he’d been about to. Jacob snorted, but when the woman behind the counter called his name, he quickly turned his attention to her.
He was back in seconds, placing a coffee in front of Dennis and taking a sip of his before fixing his gaze on Drake. “Tell us about him.”
“I only know a few things. His name is Chris, and he’s a wolf shifter. He told me he recently moved to Green Hill with his family—his grandfather, his brother, and his sister.” Neither Dennis nor Jacob said anything. Drake looked up to find both of them gaping at him. “What?”
“I believe your mate is my mate’s brother,” Dennis said, stunning Drake into silence.
Could it really be that easy?
* * * *
Chris had been ready to throw Jennifer out of his bedroom when she first arrived, but he’d missed her, and he liked spending time with her. They both got onto the bed and watched a few episodes of the series Chris was currently obsessed with, but Jennifer wasn’t really paying attention. She kept babbling about her friends and her new life, and while Chris was happy for her, he couldn’t help but wonder if he would ever have that.
He knew it was his fault. He was pretty closed off, and even though he was now a pride member, he hadn’t tried making friends with the people who shared a home with him. The rest of his family had settled in as if they’d always belonged, but not him.
It was just taking him more time to wrap his mind around the fact that they were here to stay and that they’d found a new home where they were safer than they ever could have been with their pack. He’d also never really had friends because of the distance most pack members had put between themselves and Chris and his family, and he wouldn’t know where to start.
For now, he was fine with just his family. He would have to open up a bit, though. The thought made him uncomfortable, but he could do it.
He flopped back onto the bed once Jennifer left and wondered if he should watch another episode or if he should go downstairs for lunch. The dining room and kitchen were probably almost empty by now, so he wouldn’t have to talk to too many people. He’d have to get dressed, but he supposed it would be better if he did that, anyway. Spending all day in his pajamas, buried in his bed, wasn’t good.
Another knock on his door distracted him. It could be only one of two people, so he rolled his eyes as he opened it. “What?” he asked his brother.
Kyle raised a covered plate. “Is that how you talk to your favorite brother?”
Chris made grabby hands. “You know, that’s what Jennifer said.”
“That she was your favorite brother?”
“That she’s my favorite sister.”
“Exactly, and I’m your favorite brother.”
“If you say so.”
Kyle raised the plate so Chris couldn’t grab it.
Chris grinned at him. He and his brother didn’t always see eye to eye, but they were family, and Chris loved him. “Fine. You’re my favorite brother, but only because I can say that Dennis is my favorite brother-in-law.”
Kyle barked out a laugh. “We’ll go with that.” He handed the plate to Chris, who was relieved to see there was a napkin with a fork tucked into it on top of it. He grabbed it and uncovered the plate, smiling at the sight of mac and cheese.
He stabbed a piece of broccoli and stuffed it into his mouth, sighing in relief at the thought that he wouldn’t have to go downstairs and face half the pride.
Kyle grabbed the chair by the desk and moved it so he and Chris could face each other. “So, what happened? Why are you hiding in your bedroom?”
“I’m not hiding.”
Kyle gestured at the unmade bed and at Chris, probably because he was still wearing pajamas. “Really?”
“Not you, too. I just felt like spending some time in bed.”
“I mean, you are lazy, but this isn’t like you. Did something happen? Are you having trouble with some pride members?” Kyle leaned forward. “Because if you are, we can find a solution. You don’t have to face that on your own.”
“I don’t have problems with any pride members, so put away the fangs. I’m fine.” More than fine, actually. Just yesterday, Chris had been lamenting the fact that his siblings were too busy with their own lives to dedicate any attention to him, and today, both Jennifer and Kyle had visited him. It was mainly because they were worried, but Chris didn’t care. They were here, talking to him. He was happy.
“As long as you’re sure. This is your home, too.”
Chris reached out with his leg and poked Kyle’s knee with his toe. “I’m sure. Everyone’s been nice, so don’t worry, Papa Bear.”
“I don’t think that’s ever going to happen. I’ll always worry about you and Jennifer.”
Kyle wasn’t that much older since he was thirty-five, but as the eldest, he’d always taken his role as protector very seriously. Sometimes it had been annoying, but now that he was older, Chris was glad he had his brother.
At least until Kyle said, “I got an interesting text from Dennis.”
Chris groaned. “I don’t want to know what Dennis texts you.”
“Why do you say it like that?”
“I’m scared he texts you old people sex, and I can’t.”
Kyle made a strangled sound. “Old people sex? Why would he do that?”
“Because you’re old?”
Kyle tried to kick Chris’s leg, but Chris quickly pulled them both up on the mattress and stuck his tongue out. Part of him reverted to being a kid when he was with Kyle, and while Chris didn’t always like it, in this situation, he did.
“We don’t text about old people sex,” Kyle said. “But we do text about our brother finding his mate and not telling anyone.”
Chris’s stomach dropped. “What are you talking about?”
“The fact that apparently, your mate is one of Dennis’s best friends.”
So that was how Dennis had found out. “He knows Drake?”
“Yeah. They’re together right now. Drake told his friends that he met his mate yesterday but didn’t know much about him, so he couldn’t find him again. When he told Dennis that his mate’s name was Chris and that he’d recently moved here with his two siblings and their grandfather, Dennis knew it was too much to be a coincidence.” Kyle leaned forward and placed his elbows on his knees. “What happened? You didn’t tell Jennifer or me that you met your mate, and from what Dennis said, it sounds like you ran away.” He hesitated. “I thought you’d be happy to meet your mate.”
Chris was finished eating, so he leaned sideways and set his plate down on the dresser. “I don’t know. I guess I panicked.”
“Finding your mate can be a lot.”
Kyle was probably the best person to talk things through with, since he and Dennis had only met recently. Kyle had panicked when he’d met Dennis, too, although he’d had a good reason to. He’d been planning to fight the Green Hill pride alpha for the position, and the fact that Dennis was a pride member had made a messy situation even messier.
But there was nothing stopping Chris from talking to Drake or taking him out on a date. There was no reason for them to stay apart. If Kyle could deal with his messiness and untangle everything, maybe Chris could do the same.
“My mate was on a date,” he explained. “The other guy was an asshole. Even after I told him that Drake was my mate, he insisted that Drake had agreed to go on a date with him and that they should finish that date.” It had sounded a bit like Karl was going to drag Drake to his bed, because that was what he’d expected to get out of that date. It had taken everything Chris had not to slam the guy against the nearest wall and growl at him. Maybe he should have. Karl needed to learn some respect.
“That guy doesn’t matter, though. Unless they’re getting serious?”
“It was a first date. A blind date.”
Kyle grimaced. “Those are never fun.”
“I got Drake out of the coffee shop and away from the guy, and he was fine. He’s a talker, though.”
“Makes sense, since you’re quiet. Still, I don’t get why you ran away without even giving him your number.”
“Honestly? I don’t know. It was just too much, and I needed some space.”
“You could’ve had that even if you’d given him your number.”
Chris scowled. “Clearly, he didn’t need it because he found me anyway.” What were the odds that he and his brother would end up bonded to two best friends? Well, it was a bit early for Chris to be thinking about him and Drake bonding, but still. It was in their future.
As long as they gave each other a chance, which was the opposite of what Chris had done.
* * * *
Drake was still freaking out, but it was for entirely different reasons now. He’d thought there was a good chance that he’d never see his mate again, yet here he was, having just found out that his mate was the brother of Dennis’s mate. What were the odds?
As soon as Dennis had realized who Chris was, he’d started texting.
Drake didn’t have to ask to know who he was talking to, and he hoped this wouldn’t start trouble for Chris. It was the last thing Drake wanted.
What he did want was answers. “What do you know about him?” he asked.
Dennis finally set down his phone and leaned back in his chair. “Honestly, not a lot. I know he’s seven years younger than Kyle and that he’s the baby of the family. They lost their mother not too long ago. The situation with their pack was complicated, and they had to move when Kyle got kicked out. Their old alpha was in love with their mother, and he never forgave her for not marrying him and for having three kids with someone who wasn’t him. He tolerated the family until she died, but as soon as she did, he kicked Kyle out. Chris and Jennifer are wolf shifters like their mother and the rest of the pack, but Kyle’s a tiger, and the alpha used that as an excuse. He knew that if he kicked Kyle out, his siblings would follow, and he was right. Their grandfather left, too, and they moved here because of Kyle’s father.”
Drake sucked in a breath. “I’m really sorry to hear that.” He’d left his pack a while ago and had never regretted it, but he knew that some shifters preferred to live with their families.
He was fine without them. He didn’t need an entire community of people treading on his toes or to share living spaces with them, which was one of the reasons he hadn’t requested to become a pride member.
He hadn’t needed the pride then, and he didn’t need it now, especially since he had his best friends. Sometimes they joked about how he should become a pride member, but until now, Drake had been satisfied with his life.
But what about his mate? Chris was part of the pride. Did that mean he expected Drake to be, too? Or would he be happy to leave Drake be? Drake wasn’t sure he was ready for all these very serious conversations they needed to have, but they didn’t need to have them now, anyway, so he forced himself to relax.
Dennis nodded. “It hasn’t been easy for them, especially since Kyle thought that the only way to get his family to safety was to become the pride’s alpha, but all of that is behind us now.”
“You’re sure?” Jacob muttered, earning himself a scowl.
“Dennis wouldn’t be with him if he thought Kyle would take the pride,” Drake said.
“You’re only saying that because you’re related to him now.”
Drake blinked. It was true. He and Kyle were technically related now. Drake and Chris weren’t bonded yet, but there was a very good chance they would be eventually, and that made them family.
“All of that is to say that he and his family have been through a lot,” Dennis said, glaring at Jacob. “It would probably be good if you were a bit careful with him initially.”
“I will be. I don’t want to overwhelm him.”
Dennis shook his head. “I wasn’t talking about you. It’s just that while the family has been working hard to integrate themselves, Chris has been keeping to himself. I’m sure everything’s fine and that he’s just an introvert, but just in case, maybe give him time?”
“I’ll give him whatever he needs.” Drake meant it. Whatever his mate needed or wanted, he just had to say the words, and Drake would try his best to provide it.
That was what mates did. They were always there for each other, always ready to help or hold or comfort. Drake had yearned for that for so long that he could hardly believe he’d finally found it. He might not know what would happen with Chris, but there was a good chance they’d end up together, which was what he wanted.
But what did Chris want? Dennis had said he was probably overwhelmed, and it made sense. He’d been kicked out of his home, had lost his mother, and even though he’d found a new home, it was still a lot. Drake knew a bit about the pride, both from when he’d looked into it when he’d first moved here and from his friends, so he knew they were boisterous and that it was always quite noisy and overwhelming.
Chris didn’t need anything or anyone to overwhelm him even more. That meant Drake wouldn’t be able to be himself, but that was okay. He didn’t need to be as open and relaxed as he would normally be. He could hide part of himself until Chris felt more comfortable with the pride and with him. It wouldn’t be easy, but Drake was ready to do pretty much anything to keep his mate happy. He wouldn’t do it for anyone else, not again.
He’d always been a lot. People told him that he was too bouncy, too happy, and that he talked too much. He hyper-fixated on things and talked about them twenty-four-seven for weeks at a time, annoying and boring people. He started things only not to finish them and abandon them. He still had half of a blanket he’d crocheted somewhere in his closet, but he’d never finished it, and he wouldn’t do so anytime soon. because for now, he wasn’t interested in crochet anymore.
But this chaos wasn’t what Chris needed. He needed a mate who was calm and composed, who could be his rock in the storm that was his life right now. The fact that Chris’s mate happened to be Drake didn’t change any of that. Drake wanted to be what Chris needed right now, and that wasn’t going to be easy, but he could do it.
He didn’t have a choice.
“Drake, I can already see that you’re thinking the wrong things,” Jacob said, reaching over the table to squeeze Drake’s free hand. “Dennis isn’t saying that you can’t be yourself. You tried that already, and it was a disaster, remember?”
When Drake had first arrived in town, he’d known it would be hard for him to find someone to date if he was himself, so he’d kept things as low-energy as he could. He’d started dating a guy, and they were together for almost six months, but Drake had hated most of that time. He’d liked the guy, but he’d hated who he was with him, and eventually, he’d exploded. His boyfriend had run for the hills, probably more shocked than anything, and Drake had felt he’d ruined everything all on his own.
But Chris wasn’t just a boyfriend, and now that Drake knew how much work it took to hide his natural self, he could do it better. He wouldn’t explode on Chris.
“He’s my mate. Everything will be fine.”
“I know you keep trying to convince yourself of that, and I hope everything will be fine, but it won’t be if you’re not yourself. Don’t you want Chris to fall in love with you instead of a manipulated image he has of you? What do you think will happen when your personality slowly comes through and he realizes he doesn’t know you?”
Drake pulled his hands away and rubbed his face. “I’ll be fine. It’s only going to be a few weeks, just the time for him to settle in and understand that me being his mate isn’t a bad thing.”
“I’m sure he already knows that being your mate isn’t a bad thing.”
“We only talked for, like, ten minutes. He doesn’t know anything about me beyond the fact that I was on a blind date with an asshole.” Drake sucked in a breath and looked at his friends. “I don’t want to mess things up, you know? This is important. He’s my mate .”
“Which is why you should be yourself. If there’s one person in the world you can be yourself with, it’s your mate,” Dennis said gently. “That’s kind of the point, and faking to be someone you’re not isn’t going to make things easier on you or Chris.”
Not in the long run, but Drake was convinced that in the short term, Chris needed something specific that Drake couldn’t give him if he was himself.
Which meant that he had to stop.