Chapter 9
Chapter
Nine
NOW
“ W hat am I supposed to do?” Aiden groaned for the hundredth time that day.
“There’s only one choice,” Bram said. “You’re going to have to give him the real version of that toy he loves so much. Absolutely Richard Knotz the hell out of him.”
“Could you not joke about that?”
Bram chuckled. “Still jealous of a toy?”
Yes. Kind of. A lot. That didn’t mean he had to respond to the comment. “But he’s human .”
“So what? Humans are tasty. I fully understand you wanting to sink your fangs in and drink him up.”
Aiden ignored the idea of humans being tasty. “How can I tell him about the supernatural?”
“Dude, you aren’t the first idiot to fall for a human. Talk to your alpha. There are probably protocols.”
“We don’t have any humans in our pack.”
“I mean, I don’t know shit about shifter politics, but if your alpha isn’t willing to change that for your chosen mate, he isn’t worthy of being an alpha.”
“Hey. Grant’s the best alpha.”
“Then tell him you’ve been mooning over a human since freshman year and want him to be your mate.”
“But what if it isn’t that? What if it’s some crush I’ve convinced myself is more than it is?”
“How does he smell to you?”
Aiden sighed. “Perfect.”
“And how do you smell together?”
“Better than perfect.”
“And how does your wolf feel about him?”
His wolf had been waiting for far too long for him to claim Zayn. To finally pull him into their arms, to do everything they’d ever fantasized about doing to him, to bite him, to make Zayn theirs. To give themselves to Zayn in return.
“From that spaced-out expression, it seems safe to assume your wolf approves.”
Aiden shook himself and focused on Bram. “Completely.”
“And when you imagine the two of you together, are you also imagining…” He made a fist and then slowly expanded his fingers.
Aiden swatted at his hand, but when that didn’t stop Bram from looking like he was holding an invisible baseball, Aiden pushed him off the couch.
Bram laughed as he picked himself up and reclaimed his seat. “That wasn’t a no.”
It wasn’t even close to a no. “Every single time.”
“Yeah. Thought so. I don’t need a shifter’s sense of smell to recognize you’re perfect for each other.” He leaned back against the couch. “But how cool would it be if he did videos for MateHub? He’d get so many views.”
Aiden suppressed a growl.
“You’re trying not to growl, aren’t you?”
Busted. Aiden huffed. He knew he was being unreasonable.
“ Solo scenes. I’m not suggesting he let the real Richard rail him.”
“I know,” Aiden grumbled. “And I don’t want him to stop filming his reviews, or for people to stop watching them. He enjoys them. Hell, I enjoy them. I just want people to realize they can only watch.”
“You know one excellent way to do that, right?” Bram flashed his fangs and made a little biting motion.
“But seriously.” Aiden sighed. “He’ll never believe me.”
“So shift in front of him.”
“I don’t want to freak him out. Like, ‘hey, sit there while I strip—’”
“I’m pretty sure he’d be willing to do that part at least.”
“And transform into a large wolf? He’d definitely freak out.”
“Should I set you two up on another accidental date so you can make a move on him?”
“God, please no. The first dozen were more than enough, thanks.”
“Fine. Be that way.”
They sat there, thinking it over.
“Did you know that last year a human started doing scenes for MateHub?” Bram asked eventually. “Apparently his roommate showed him the site. You could do that. Say you want to show him the inspiration for that toy of his.”
That was the worst idea Aiden had ever heard, but it wasn’t like he’d come up with anything better.
Aiden tapped his foot against the floor as the video call connected.
“Aiden,” Grant said when he answered, his chiseled features breaking into a warm smile. “What’s up?”
“I kind of… fell in love with Zayn when we were freshmen and he smells amazing and I want to make him my mate but I need your permission because he’s human and I’m not sure how to tell him so what do I do?”
Grant’s laughter was soothing, a reminder of home and pack. “Well, first, I suggest breathing. That’s usually a good start.”
Aiden forced himself to take a deep breath. Huh, that did help. Grant might be onto something.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to, but he’s so smart and awesome, and his scent is…” He sighed. “But he’s also very human.”
“And you’re worried I’m going to be upset by that?”
“Maybe? I don’t know. Our pack doesn’t have any humans.”
Grant’s blue eyes glittered with mirth. “Yet. God, son, we’ve been wondering how long it’d take you to bring this up since the first time you came home smelling like him and then spent your entire break talking about him. I think Aiyana organized a betting pool your sophomore year.”
Aiden blinked at the phone. “What?”
“You have my permission. I’ll fill out the necessary paperwork for the council and submit it as soon as you’re bonded. I’ll send over a list of the information I need, but it’s mainly date of birth and the like.”
Well… that had been easier than he’d thought it would be. Too bad everything couldn’t be that easy.
“But how should I tell him?”
“You know him best. But if it were me, I’d say I needed to talk to him about something important that might be difficult for him to believe. Explain it to him, then show him. It’s pretty hard for people to deny the shift once they’ve seen it.”
“What if he freaks out?”
“He likely will, at least a little.”
“That’s not comforting.”
“He smells right?”
“He really does.”
“Then trust your instincts. If you have feelings for him, the freaking out will be worth it.”
Aiden exhaled. “Okay. I’ll try.”
Grant grinned. “Good. And bring him with you the next time you come home. We’ve been dying to meet him.”
The idea of bringing Zayn home to meet his pack sent bubbly elation tingling through his body. “I will.”
Now he just needed to figure out how to tell him.