CHAPTER FOUR
Lev stroked his hands down Kyle’s sides and slowly licked the small wound until it healed.
Now that they were bonded, healing was nearly instantaneous, especially for shallow wounds.
He felt the tremors race through Kyle and appreciated that he could make his mate feel so many wonderful things.
They were made for each other, and Fate had brought them together.
His wolf was panting and strutting in his mind, pleased with their mate and pleased with the bond. Kyle was willing, but he didn't have the full picture yet. Hopefully, the bond would open his mind to a new future and new possibilities.
He carried him to the bedroom and laid him on the narrow bed. The apartment was functional but lacked room and distinction. It was flat and sparse, whereas Lev saw his mate as being impressive, lively, and colorful. He deserved a home that reflected who he was, and Lev could provide it.
"What is happening, Lev? What is this all about?" Kyle said the words in a soft, dreamy tone as his eyes hung half closed. “Why do I want you all the time?”
"This is us getting to know one another and building our connection.
Our destiny is as one, and our desire is clear.
" Lev bent and kissed him lightly on the lips.
"I want you all the time, too, my love." Lev had used him hard, but he had clearly loved every minute of it.
The soft purr and the blissful smile spoke of contentment and, dare he say, love.
“I can’t get enough of you.” His lips parted as he panted softly, still feeling the intensity of their union.
“That’s good and as it should be.” Lev kissed him again and went into the bathroom to get a wet washcloth.
He then proceeded to clean Kyle. The intimacy of the act made him hard all over again, but he kept his mind on the job.
They had things to discuss and secrets to share.
When finished, he crawled into the bed next to Kyle and pulled him into his arms, cradling his head on his shoulder.
"Rest, my love, and then we have to talk."
"Sounds serious." Kyle laughed softly, still riding the high of their lovemaking.
"Life changing, my love . . . for both of us.
" Kyle settled into his embrace and fell into a light sleep.
Lev lay awake, holding him and thinking about where to start and what all to share at this time.
It was both exciting and worrisome. Kyle had seen parts of his beast, so the revelation should not be a complete surprise.
Kyle had been sleeping for about three hours when Lev's phone vibrated. He reached over to the windowsill next to the bed where he'd set his phone and saw that it was Ivan. He kept one arm around Kyle, holding him to his side as he answered the call.
“We have a problem, Alpha.” Was Ivan’s first statement. Lev did not speak and waited for more. Ivan was a thorough man and never left anything to question or chance. He would chase information for as long as it took and as deep as he had to go. His information was precise and flawless.
"The men from this morning were searching for the falls. They had a hand-drawn map to follow. John had given them the map." Ivan told him and then added. “They were overheard discussing the general location of the falls and the ownership of that area of the forest.”
“They know parts of the land are privately owned.” Lev asked.
“Apparently.” He responded. “When they investigate the ownership, they will find that a large swath of land is owned by Wilder and Associates. This leak could get out of hand very fast." He warned.
"The full moon ends tomorrow, and with it the ability to witness the mystical aspects of the falls." Lev was thinking out loud. "Are they going to return, or have they been scared off?"
“It is my belief that they will not return the men were thorough when scaring them off.” Ivan fell silent for a moment before adding. "Why would John do this to us? He promised to never speak of it, and we had trusted him."
"He always held that the falls belonged to everyone, and it should not be kept secret. He didn't understand the dangers for us and the forest if the power of the falls got into the wrong hands." Lev told him his tone was filled with disappointment.
“We have to devise a way to put the rumors to rest.” Ivan was back to his analytical self. “I’ll get on it.”
“Report your findings to Mykel and ask him to increase patrols as he sees fit.”
"Yes, sir." With that, he closed the call and took a deep breath while pulling his mate up tight to his chest. Kyle had awakened halfway through that call, but he stayed quiet and listened, not interrupting.
"I know you're awake, my love." He said softly and trailed his fingertips up Kyle's naked back. "I assume you have questions." He said, and Kyle looked up at him and then settled once again with his head on Lev's chest.
“You know John Maxwell?” He asked.
"Yes, he was related to one of the Pack members, and although he was human, he was trusted with our secrets. That was a mistake we will never make again." Lev said more than Kyle was equipped to understand, but he wanted to be truthful, and eventually it would all make sense.
"He told me about the waterfall and gave me a copy of the map he'd drawn.
I was trying to find it when you found me instead.
" Kyle said clearly, having heard enough of the call to comprehend the issue.
"I'm a photographer, and I didn't completely believe the story John had told about the falls, and its power, but he sounded sincere, and I thought, regardless of its power, a waterfall in the moonlight would be beautiful to photograph. "
“It’s absolutely enchanting, and it must remain secret. I know it's hard for you to accept, but there are things in the forest that are not of your world, and they cannot be laid bare and exploited." Lev held him close, hoping that their bond would translate the truth of what he was telling him.
"John said some pretty fanciful things, such as rejuvenating waters, healing lights, and energies that function in and around the falls.
He also said it only energized during a full moon and the air must contain rainwater or mist." Lev realized that John had given it all away, and it was disheartening.
"Is it true?" Kyle asked and moved up onto his elbow so he could look down into Lev's eyes and read his expression. Kyle was reading him; he wasn't completely on board, but he was listening.
“I am Alpha of the Wilder Wolf Pack of the Aveline Forest. My people have occupied the forest for several centuries.
We live in secret deep within the forest, and we protect the sacred power of the falls.
We number three thousand forty-five souls.
" He held Kyle's gaze and saw disbelief flash, confusion show, but also belief and hope.
"You're telling me that you're a wolf shifter and you lead a pack of wolf shifters who live in the forest." He was clarifying, but the difficulty was taking over, and his belief was beginning to waver, so Lev did what he needed to do.
He moved to the edge of the bed, then stood and turned to look at Kyle, who was on his knees, looking up at Lev.
"Seeing his believing," Lev stated and shifted.
He was powerful and skilled, and his shift took less than a second.
His wolf was large, about the size of a grizzly bear, and black and fierce.
He stood there in all his frightening glory, staring back at Kyle, who was now frozen in place with his mouth open on a half scream.
He caught himself and forced a calm that impressed Lev.
After a few minutes of silent staring, Kyle carefully reached out a hand toward the huge beast. Lev stepped closer, allowing Kyle to run his fingers through his fur.
The feeling was sensational, and his wolf was in heaven having their mate touch them so tenderly.
Lev shifted back and sat on the edge of the bed.
Kyle moved to his side, and silence continued for a few more minutes.
The fact that he didn't faint or run was significant.
Lev had not met a human who could handle seeing a shift the first time without a serious reaction.
Kyle had stiffened but did not look away or try to escape.
He kept his eyes on Lev and on his wolf, and the expression was not fear.
He felt Kyle's hand rubbing his back, and then Kyle lay his head on Lev's shoulder.
"I knew it was true, I saw you in the woods, but part of me thought perhaps I'd hallucinated. In my heart, I recognized the wild part of you out in the woods and then here in my apartment. I was difficult to accept then, but not now." Kyle was talking slowly and thinking about every word he said.
“I didn’t expect the change to be so swift and complete that caught me by surprise, but I found it beautiful, and I found your wolf also beautiful." Lev turned and smiled.
"You're the beautiful one, my love, both body and soul."
"Things are making sense now, crazy sense but sense nonetheless." He kept his hands on Lev, either stroking his arm, his thigh, or his back. The touch was calming for Lev, and he suspected it did the same for Kyle. It was all part of the bond and their special Fated connection.
Lev explained his culture in basic terms, hitting the points that Kyle would deal with immediately and leaving other matters for later.
He realized they were mates because Lev had been using the term liberally since their first meeting.
He struggled with the Fated aspect, but considering everything else he’d accepted, he agreed it wasn’t a leap to believe in destiny.
"It will take time, and I will be with you by your side." Lev wrapped his arm around Kyle. "We have a lifetime to learn everything about each other, and wolves live a very long time."
"How long?" Kyle looked up at him, his eyebrows tight together.
"You've entered the world of the supernatural, and as my bonded mate," he touched the little claiming scar, "you inherit many of the aspects of my life as a shifter.
Your life will lengthen to match mine, you will heal faster, you will rarely be sick, and other perks you will notice as the bond continues to strengthen and connect our lives. "
"You still haven't told me how old you are." Kyle reminded, and Lev chuckled.
“I’m eighty years old.” He stated.
“You look thirty.”
“We don’t really start to show age until we reach our second century. I’m actually considered young for a wolf shifter. My brother Mykel, my Beta, is seventy-six." He chuckled when Kyle let out a long, drawn-out, heavy sigh.
"How long do wolf shifters live? What is the average life span?" Kyle asked, curious.
“The average is around two fifty to three hundred years, but some have lived longer.”
"That's a lot to think about." He said thoughtfully and dropped his head back against Lev's shoulder. "You knew me when you saw me in the woods?" He asked, suddenly changing the subject.
"Not until I caught your scent. You smell like lemon and ginger, and it hit me like a sledgehammer.
" He smiled and dropped a kiss on the top of Kyle's head.
"I went after you to scare you off, but once I caught your scent, all I wanted was to claim you.
I know I frightened you, and I'm sorry, but I couldn't let you go.
I had to have you. My wolf was going crazy, and all I could focus on was the fact that you were mine, my Fated mate. "
"That was a wild night, and I enjoyed every minute of it.
" He chuckled softly. "I'm not usually so quick to get naked with someone I just met, but I felt so many things when I looked at you.
I could see your wild side; it was clear, but I was never afraid of you.
I recognized that there was something very special between us. " He paused for a moment.
"I just fucking wanted you, and I wasn't going to pretend otherwise." He blurted.
They sat silently for a while, just holding one another and feeling the power of their bond.
It was peaceful, extraordinary, and exciting; it was so many things rolled into one.
"Will you come home with me, Kyle? I want to show you the Pack lands and introduce you to my brother and let you see what Fate has designed for us. "
"I should be calling a psychiatrist and booking an appointment, but somewhere in my head and in my heart, I trust you, and I know you," Kyle said honestly, and Lev pulled him across his lap and kissed him as if his life depended on it.
Kyle opened easily for him, and Lev slipped inside and marveled once again at the exquisite taste.