Chapter 10
Gray waited in Simon’s living room while Simon showered and changed clothes. Although their styles were different in many ways, Gray felt really comfortable in Simon’s space.
Books, vases of flowers, and bowls of crystals covered the pine tables. Full-sized sofas like Gray’s wouldn’t fit in the room, but the denim-covered love seat fit perfectly in the space.
A beige recliner sat at an angle nearby, and Gray realized Simon spent most of his time there. The table beside it held multiple books, most with little slips of paper sticking out, marking pages. A coaster lay beside the books with an empty mug on top.
Gray sat in the chair, tempted to kick back and prop up his legs. Instead, he picked up the top book and opened it to the first of several marked pages. An herbal remedy guide, the page described natural treatments for headaches. Gray flipped to the next marker and saw cures for stomach problems.
He raised his eyes and looked toward the bathroom where Simon had disappeared a few minutes ago.
With everything that had gone on, Gray wondered how affected Simon was from the demon attack.
He seemed to be doing fine since the cubs had helped him, but it still bothered Gray to know he’d been here alone for a week, obviously not feeling well if his research was any clue.
The shower turned off, so Gray closed the book and put it back in place.
No need to be caught snooping. A few minutes later, Simon came into the room, drying his hair with a damp towel.
He only wore a pair of loose-fitting jeans, and Gray wanted nothing more than to give them a little tug and watch them fall.
Simon caught him staring and grinned at Gray, and Gray couldn’t help smiling back at him. “Feeling better?”
“Yeah. Clean and shiny.” He chuckled and continued toweling his hair. “You want something to drink?”
“Sure.”
Simon went into the kitchen and grabbed glasses from the cabinet.
Gray sat on a barstool at the counter and watched him move through the space.
The ice clinked in the glasses, then he poured tea.
He plucked a sprig of mint from a pot in the window and let it float in the drinks before he handed one over to Gray.
Gray took a sip, then another, trying to identify the unique flavors. “What is this? It’s good.”
He looked up to see Simon smiling again, as if he enjoyed Gray’s puzzled expression. “It’s an herbal tea with lemongrass, mint, and a few other secret ingredients. My grandfather taught me how to make it.”
“Mmm,” Gray said after he took another drink. “I didn’t think I’d like something like this.”
“Well, I never thought I’d spend the morning fooling around on your office floor. Looks like we both found something new to like today.” Simon winked and took a sip of his tea as Gray burst out laughing.
He reached for Simon’s hand and pulled him around the counter, spinning his stool so Simon fit between his legs. “You are too much, mage.”
“As are you, wolf,” Simon whispered as he lowered his lips to Gray’s.
He couldn’t get enough of Simon’s kisses. They intoxicated him, made him want things he’d never wanted before.
Unfortunately, some pretty major obstacles stood in their way.
When Simon broke away from Gray, he straightened his spine and took a deep, fortifying breath.
Gray could see he wanted to say something but hadn’t found the words.
He brushed a finger across Simon’s forehead, smoothing away the worry line that had appeared. “Hey, what’s wrong?”
“There’s something I have to tell you.”
“Okay.”
“I told you the other day when you came by that it wasn’t good for us to spend time together.” Simon stepped back, seeming to need some space between them. “I didn’t tell you the entire truth.”
“What does that mean exactly?”
“When I made the decision to rescue the cubs, I knew there would be consequences. I don’t know what the rules are for packs, but for mages, we are forbidden from being involved with other magical beings. Because I broke that rule, I was reported to the Conclave.”
Gray looked puzzled. “So will there be a fine or something? When a pack member breaks a rule, the pack is usually fined for a first offense, depending on the severity. This can’t be that bad, Simon.”
“You don’t understand. There aren’t fines in our world, at least not that I’ve ever heard. I’ll be forbidden to have any more access to any mages, and I have no idea what they’ll do to my magic.”
“What? You’ve got to be kidding me. You saved children. It’s not like you were out cavorting with the enemy or something.”
“I don’t know that they will see the difference. The master who is training me told me the consequences could be severe. He was extremely concerned.”
Gray stood up and closed the distance between them. He pulled Simon into his arms and held him tight. “So the fact that you saved Garon last night is going to make it even worse for you.”
“Yes. But I don’t regret it, Gray. I swear to you I wouldn’t change a thing.
Your son is amazing, and so are you. I hope it doesn’t come down to me losing the thing I’ve dreamed of since I was young, but if it does…
well, I don’t know what I’ll do, to be honest. I wouldn’t change my decision, though.
I wouldn’t walk away from any child in need. ”
“They’ll understand that. They have to understand that.”
Simon sighed and laid his head against Gray’s chest. “I hope so.”
They stood there for a long moment, Simon squeezing Gray to him, seeming to relish his strength. After a moment, Gray raised his hand to Simon’s face and tilted his head back. “There is another way.”
“What? I’m open to suggestions here.”
“I can claim you, make you a full member of my pack. Then you’ll fall under my protection, not the Conclave’s.”
Simon pulled back farther. “What? I don’t understand.”
“Look, I know we’ve only known each other a week, but I know there’s something between us, Simon. I felt it the first moment I saw you, and I feel it even stronger now. I will make you my mate, right here, right now, and we’ll go to the Pack Council for protection.”
“Gray, no.”
Gray grabbed his arms, forcing him to stay when Simon tried to pull farther away.
“Listen, I know this sounds crazy, but I don’t want you to sacrifice everything because of me, because of us.
What you did was the most incredible thing anyone has ever done for me.
You brought my son home and saved his life not once, but twice. Simon, please, just consider it.”
“God, I don’t even know where to start. I don’t even know what it means to mate with a wolf. I mean, it’s not like it is in the fairy tales, is it? You don’t see your mate and immediately know that they are the one.”
“Don’t I wish. No, we meet and fall in love just like everyone else. The difference is that once we choose our mate and our mate accepts, it’s for life. That’s it for us; there is no going back.”
Simon shivered and placed his arms on Gray’s sides. “I can’t believe you’re willing to do that when you’ve only known me for a few days.”
“I can’t either. It’s crazy. I’ll admit it. But I’d rather take a chance on us than risk you losing everything.”
“You are amazing. God, I don’t even know anything about you, like your favorite color—”
“Gray, obviously.”
“Or what kind of music you like—”
“Classic rock, but it varies depending on my mood.”
“Be serious! We don’t know each other well enough to make this kind of commitment. I love that you offered. I’m blown away. But I’m not ready to make that kind of decision, and I don’t think you really are either.”
“Simon—”
“No, Gray. You have to stop and think about this. I made the decision, and now I have to face the consequences. Maybe it won’t be so bad. They might understand. This might just go away after a hand slap. I don’t know.”
Gray lowered his forehead and rested it against Simon’s. “You don’t believe that. Don’t lie to me.”
“I won’t. I promise you. And you’re right, I don’t really believe that I’ll get off without any type of punishment. But Gray, I still have a chance of becoming a mage. It’s what I want. What I’ve dreamed of for so long, and I’ll know in the next week whether it’s going to happen or not anyway.”
“They’ll decide that fast?”
Simon shook his head. “No, I doubt it. My twenty-fifth birthday is coming up. If I haven’t reached full mage status by that time, then this is all pointless anyway.
My apprenticeship will be over. I want to try, though.
No, I want to do more than try. I have to fight for this. Please tell me you understand that.”
“I do. If someone told me I wasn’t going to become an alpha, I would have fought for it. It’s what I’m meant to be.”
“Exactly. But it doesn’t mean that I don’t care about you.
I do, more than I understand. Your pack, your family, has made me feel something I never thought I’d feel.
If you had asked me a week ago if I would fall for a werewolf, I would have laughed at the idea.
Now, I look at you and see something I want very much. ”
Gray nodded, rubbing his head gently against Simon’s. He kissed Simon’s forehead and pulled back to stare at him. “Okay. I still want to see you though. I’m serious about that. I wasn’t just saying I felt something for you to try to convince you to be my mate.”
“I believe you. I feel something for you too. We can work something out. I’m not ready to walk away from you yet.”
They kissed again, this time short and sweet.
Gray broke away first and traced a finger over the reddened skin around Simon’s lips. “I suppose I should shave. My beard is scratching you all up.”
“Don’t you dare.”
They both laughed and shared another quick kiss.