Chapter One #2
“It’s complicated.”
“Yeah, I figured.” They turned another corner. “Is your team going to be weird about me showing up? Because I’m getting the feeling you’re not exactly living a normal suburban life.”
“They’ll understand.”
“That’s vague.”
“It has to be.”
Indy was quiet for a moment, his sneakers splashing through puddles. “Are you going to hurt me?” His mate gestured toward him. “You’re a predator with demons after you.”
The question hit Malik like a physical blow. He stopped walking, forcing Indy to stop as well. When their eyes met, Malik made sure his voice left no room for doubt.
“Never.”
Something in his mate’s expression softened. “Okay. I believe you.” He started walking again, and Malik fell into step beside him. “Doesn’t mean I’m not confused as hell about whatever this is, but I believe you won’t hurt me.”
* * * *
They reached Malik’s truck, a black four-wheel drive parked in the shadows between two buildings.
Malik loaded the box of dogs into the truck bed, securing it with straps so it wouldn’t slide.
The rain had tapered to a fine mist that clung to Indy’s eyelashes and made everything look soft-focused, like a dream.
He climbed into the passenger seat, his soaked sweater clinging to his frame.
The interior smelled like leather and something distinctly masculine, cedar and musk, which had to be Malik’s scent.
His fox wanted to roll in it until that scent covered every inch of him. The thought made heat flood his face.
“Seatbelt,” Malik said, his voice low.
Right. Car safety. Not thinking about how Malik’s hands looked wrapped around the steering wheel or how the wet fabric of his shirt outlined every muscle. Indy fumbled with the belt, his fingers clumsy.
The engine rumbled to life, and they pulled onto the empty street. Indy twisted to look through the rear window at the box. He could just make out the huddled shapes of the dogs through the rain-streaked glass.
“They’ll be okay for the drive?” he asked.
“It’s not far.”
Indy faced forward again, hyper-aware of Malik beside him.
The shifter filled the space like he’d been poured into it, all contained power and controlled movements.
Every time he shifted gears, the muscles in his forearm flexed, and Indy had to look away before he did something embarrassing like reach out and touch.
His fox was going haywire. It wanted out, wanted to curl up in Malik’s lap, wanted to rub against him until they smelled like each other. The pull was so strong it made his skin feel too tight, like his human form couldn’t contain what was happening inside him.
“So,” Indy said, because silence made the tension worse, “your team. Are they all”—he gestured vaguely—“like you? Predators?”
Malik’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. “Yes.”
“And the vet?”
“Ryan. He’s human, but he knows about us.”
Us. Like Indy was included in that. Like finding your mate in the middle of a random afternoon while he was running from demons was totally normal. His laugh came out slightly hysterical.
“You okay?” Malik glanced at him, those golden-brown eyes catching the dim light.
“Oh, peachy. Arranged some bouquets, lied to demons, found my—” He cut himself off, heat flooding his face again. “The dogs. I’m worried about the dogs.”
And himself. Those demons had to have known he was lying. They’d been across the street while Malik stood out in the open in his shop. What if Indy was now on their shit list?
They turned onto a tree-lined street where the houses sat farther apart, hidden behind tall fences and hedges. Malik pulled into a driveway that led to a sprawling two-story house. It looked homey despite its size, with warm lights glowing in the windows and a wraparound porch.
“Wait here,” Malik said, already opening his door. “I’ll get Ryan.”
But Indy was already scrambling out, unable to sit still while the dogs were hurt. The rain had stopped, leaving everything smelling clean and green. He went straight to the truck bed, peering into the box.
“Hey, sweethearts,” he murmured. The smallest dog, a terrier mix with matted fur, lifted its head weakly. “We’re going to get you fixed up.”
The front door opened, and a young man hurried out. He had kind eyes and gentle hands, the sort of person who immediately put Indy at ease.
“Hi, I’m Ryan,” the guy said.
“Indy.”
“Let’s get them inside,” Ryan said after a quick assessment. “I’ve got a treatment room set up.”
Malik carried the box into a first-floor bedroom with dog beds and was lined with medical equipment. Ryan worked with quiet efficiency, cleaning wounds and administering pain medication while Indy held each dog steady. Malik stood guard by the door, a silent presence that made Indy feel oddly safe.
“The gash needs stitches,” Ryan said, examining the worst injury. “And this one definitely has a fracture. But they’re all malnourished and dehydrated. How long were they out there?”
“I don’t know. We just found them half an hour ago, maybe less.” Indy stroked the terrier’s head as Ryan prepared a needle. “Someone just dumped them like garbage.”
His voice cracked on the last word. These innocent creatures, thrown away like they meant nothing. His fox snarled at the injustice of it. He wanted to smack whoever had done this to the poor dogs.
“You did good getting them help,” Ryan said. “They’ll recover.”
Indy watched Ryan work, grateful for his help but unable to stop stealing glances at Malik. The man hadn’t moved from his spot by the door, but Indy could feel his attention like a physical touch. Every time their eyes met the pull grew stronger. It felt that way to him, at least.
An hour later, all three dogs were cleaned, treated, and sleeping peacefully on soft blankets. Ryan had dog food for them, specially formulated for malnourished animals.
“Can they...” Indy twisted his hands together. “Would it be possible for them to stay here while they heal? I feel responsible for them since they were found behind my—”
“They can stay as long as needed,” Ryan interrupted gently. “We’ve got the space, and I’ll monitor them closely.”
Relief flooded through Indy so fast it made him dizzy. He’d been so worried about what would happen to them, whether he could provide what they needed.
He truly did feel responsible for them since they’d been ditched behind his shop.
“Thank you,” he whispered. “Really, thank you so much.”
Ryan smiled. “No problem. They’ll be safe here.”
Indy gave each sleeping dog one last gentle touch before following Malik out of the treatment room. The main house was warm and lived-in, with comfortable furniture and the lingering scent of coffee. But his nerves were jangling now that the immediate crisis was over.
He caught Malik’s sleeve, the fabric still damp from rain. “Can we talk? About the...” He glanced around, lowered his voice. “The chase thing?”
Malik’s expression shuttered. “There’s not much to say.”
Oh, somebody was definitely hiding something. That answer had come too fast.
“They were looking for you. They felt wrong, like everything inside me was screaming to run.” He realized he was still holding Malik’s sleeve and let go reluctantly. “Am I in danger now? Because I lied to them?”
“I won’t let this spill over to you.”
The words were fierce, protective, but they didn’t answer his question. Indy opened his mouth to push further, but Malik spoke first.
“I can take you back to your shop.”
The offer stung more than it should have. Of course Malik would want to get rid of him now that the dogs were handled. Even though they were mates, that didn’t mean Malik actually wanted him around.
“Right. Yeah. That would be...” Indy forced his voice to stay light. “That would be great.”
But when Malik moved toward the door, Indy didn’t follow. His feet had apparently decided they weren’t ready to leave. His fox was practically howling at the thought of separation.
“Unless...” Malik turned back, and something in his expression had softened. “You could stay for a bit. If you want.”
Indy’s heart did a happy little somersault. “I should probably change out of these wet clothes.”
“I can find you something.”
And that’s how Indy found himself in Malik’s bedroom, wearing a pair of his mate’s sweatpants and a T-shirt that smelled like cedar, making his fox purr.
The room was simple—a bed, a dresser, a chair by the window.
But it smelled so strongly of Malik’s cheetah that Indy had to grip the edge of the dresser to keep from doing something ridiculous like rolling around on the bed.
“These are freaking huge on me,” he said when Malik returned from changing his own clothes. He practically swam in the sweatpants, and the hem of the shirt reached his thighs.
Indy felt like he was playing dress-up in adult clothes. He was already short, and wearing his behemoth mate’s clothes made him feel even smaller.
Malik’s gaze tracked over him slowly, and Indy felt it like the gaze were fingers caressing him. His cock stirred, and he had to remind himself to breathe normally.
“We should talk,” Malik said finally. “About what you felt in the shop.”
Indy perched on the edge of the chair, needing distance between them, or he might climb Malik like a tree. “You mean the part where every cell in my body recognized you? Or the part where I wanted to—” He cut himself off, face flaming.
“You felt it too.” It wasn’t a question.
“Kind of hard to miss.” Indy pulled his knees up, wrapping his arms around them. “It all happened so fast. You running in, then everything else. I haven’t had time to process anything yet.”
“I’m sorry.” Malik moved closer, and Indy’s fox preened at the attention. “I had no idea my mate was on the other side of that glass door.”
Indy’s heart stopped. “If you had?”
“I still would’ve come inside. Fate must’ve lead me to you.”
“You think so?” With Malik so close, Indy was finding it hard to think.