Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Avery was startled by the venom in Ozen’s voice.
Even when Ozen was half feral and starving, he hadn’t sounded like that before.
Like he was moments away from fighting his own father to keep him away from Avery.
The older incubus hadn’t even done anything wrong.
His glamor was still up, and he’d only offered to shake Avery’s hand.
Korath looked genuinely hurt by Ozen’s reaction, taking a step away from his son. “Ozen… You know I wouldn’t try to take your mate from you. Right?”
It was Ozen’s glamor that flicked for a moment as his control slipped.
It worried Avery, and he was a little afraid if he moved, he’d only set Ozen off more.
He shot a questioning glance at Connor, who was closest to him.
It was only when Connor tipped his head toward Ozen, encouraging him to get closer, that Avery felt safe enough to do so.
He didn’t think questioning his unstable mate was a good idea. Instead, he appealed to Ozen’s need to care for him, resting his hand gently on Ozen’s arm to get his attention. “Ozen. I… I could really use a hug right now. Can you look at me?”
Ozen took a step back, coming to stand beside Avery, but his gaze never left his father, glare locked on him as he pulled Avery into his arms. Avery wrapped himself around his mate, rubbing his back and burying his face against Ozen’s neck.
“Korath, son, give us a moment, if you would,” Sylix murmured.
“What? But he’s my son!” Korath protested, the hurt ringing in his voice. He didn’t know what he’d done, but he obviously cared enough to want to fix it.
“I believe right now, Ozen will only trust mated pairs near his mate. You can join us again in a little while, once we’ve gotten to the bottom of things. We’ll use your office.”
Sylix gave no room for argument, and when they moved as a group down the long hallway, he peeked over his shoulder to find Korath standing where Avery had last seen him, worry and hurt carved into his face.
He got the feeling Korath was devastated by the thought that his son would think so little of him.
Meanwhile, Avery wasn’t sure it had anything to do with Korath.
He got the feeling it had something to do with Ozen’s issues from earlier in the week.
He gave his attention to his mate, not paying much attention to where they were going as Sylix led the way.
Ozen wouldn’t look at him, his expression dark and clouded.
He could still see the distrust and anger, but underneath that, he saw a flicker of guilt.
Ozen wasn’t fully on board with his own reactions either.
“Here we are,” Sylix announced, opening the door to what Avery assumed was Korath’s office and gesturing them inside. “Brody, my love, could you perhaps get us something to drink? I think Ozen could use something strong.”
“You want to give the unstable incubus alcohol?” Connor queried with a raised eyebrow. “Are you hoping to start an orgy?”
That made Ozen stiffen, and a snarl escaped his lips as he tightened his grip on Avery, dragging him so tightly against him, Avery let out a small “eep!”
Connor, who was as brave and outspoken as Isaac, pointed a finger at Ozen. “Don’t start with me. I’m mated and in no way interested in your mate.” His gaze dropped to Avery, and he grimaced. “No offense.”
“None taken,” Avery croaked.
“Ozen, you’ll hurt your mate if you keep holding him like that,” Sylix pointed out calmly.
Ozen released him immediately, causing Avery to stumble a little before righting himself.
Ozen didn’t go far. If anything, he was trying to get closer without physically hurting him.
Alarms went off in Avery’s head. What were the chances his normally private mate would ignore all his boundaries to claim him in front of everyone?
And would Avery be able to do anything to stop him?
“Connor. A little ice, if you please.”
Sylix’s voice was calm, but he moved like lightning when Connor whispered a spell and Ozen jerked away in surprise as ice dropped down his shirt.
The six thousand year old incubus had his grandson pinned against a wall before Ozen could respond, whispering in his ear as Connor took Avery’s elbow and pulled him over to the couch.
“I think you better explain what’s going on. I seriously doubt either of us want to find out who would win in a match between those two.”
Avery’s eyes widened. They wouldn’t really fight. Would they?
He took in his mate, the way his eyes were locked on him and those blood red eyes were glowing a lot like they did when Ozen was starving.
It hurt him to see his mate like that, so he told Connor everything, despite knowing how private Ozen was about their sex life.
In order for Sylix to help them, he had to know.
“He’s been off lately. He doesn’t like me out of his sight, and he practically seethes if I ever have to leave to meet my agent or anything like that.
And he said…” His face flushed. He still didn’t know how to wrap his head around what Ozen’s instincts were demanding.
“He said his instincts were telling him to breed me. He’s been…
amorous. Way more than usual. But we can’t do that… right?”
He’d read stories about mpreg, but it wasn’t something he’d ever wanted to experience.
He’d do it if it’d make Ozen feel better, but he couldn’t say he wanted that.
When it came to having kids, he always thought he’d adopt.
Humans weren’t as diligent about taking care of their offspring like supernaturals were.
There were plenty of human kids who needed a home.
Connor snorted, shaking his head. “No. That’s not a thing. You’re thinking like an author right now.”
Avery wrinkled his nose. “I haven’t written any stories like that. My books are more realistic.”
“And hot,” Brody added as he swept into the room, setting down the tray of drinks. “What are we talking about?”
“Ozen’s trying to get Avery pregnant,” Connor replied, plucking a piece of chocolate from the tray. “Where’d you find these?”
“Kitchen. Are you opening up your relationship? Connor and I were best friends when Sylix came into the picture. We all started dating at the same time, but I heard of other mates who felt the urge to add more until their family felt complete.”
The snarl that came from Ozen was answer enough, but Avery shook his head to confirm that sentiment. “No, he doesn’t want that. Neither of us do. We were actually going to ask to speak with Sylix a little while later just to see if he had any idea what was happening.”
“It’s a breeding frenzy,” Sylix answered calmly, like he wasn’t holding back a snarling and feral Ozen with just a hand on his chest. “It happens to all incubi, mated or not. That’s how we father offspring.”
“But… I can’t give him that,” Avery murmured, his throat tightening at the thought of Ozen being with anyone else.
He closed his eyes against the swell of tears.
He’d do it if he had to. Ozen’s happiness was more important to him than anything else.
He just hoped it would only be the once.
He wasn’t sure he could stomach it happening all the time.
The pain along their bond was what snapped Ozen out of his need to claim his mate.
The moment his father had reached out to touch him, a switch had flipped in Ozen’s mind and he couldn’t get himself under control.
He felt that same demand he’d felt earlier in the week, to breed and mark his mate so everyone would know who he belonged to.
He might have claimed him in front of the entire room if his grandfather hadn’t stepped in to stop him.
Avery’s pain brought him clarity, and he blinked a few times, clearing the red from his vision. He was pinned against a wall by his grandfather’s hand, while Avery sat on the couch, his frown so deep, he looked close to tears.
“Avery…” he murmured, and his grandfather must have noticed he was back to normal, because he released him without Ozen needing to ask.
Striding across the room, Ozen kneeled in front of his mate, taking his hands and kissing the backs of them. “I’m sorry, my love. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“Here. Have a drink.” Brody offered Avery a glass of wine, patting his shoulder supportively. He tried to offer something to Ozen, but he politely declined with a shake of his head. His focus was on his mate now.
When a tear slipped over Avery’s cheek, Ozen’s heart broke. He hated seeing his mate cry. Avery was such a bright and shining soul. His smile lit up rooms. Seeing him so upset felt like the world had gone dark.
Sylix sighed heavily, coming to sit in one of the arm chairs nearby. Brody moved to join him, but Ozen didn’t look away from Avery, wiping the tear away with his thumb.
“Your father did a terrible job explaining things to you,” Sylix grumbled.
That comment got their attention, and he and Avery both turned to look at his grandfather.
“What do you mean?” Ozen asked.
Sylix waved his hand toward the two of them with a scowl.
“Always so sure the worst will happen when it's just part of your biology. You’re in no way required to procreate. You wouldn’t be able to the natural way anyway, as your mate is male.
It’s like a werewolf’s heat. It will pass with time or by continuing your line.
There is no biological requirement. You could adopt, and it would have the same effect. ”
Brody huffed, petting Sylix’s chest from where he sat in his lap. “That still happens to you and how many kids do you have?”
Sylix grinned up at him. “Twenty two. It’s a small number for an incubus my age, but I had my hands full with the ones I created. And I’ll create no more the natural way now that I’m mated to the two of you. You’ll just have to put up with me and my demands when the time comes.”
“I’m sure as hell not complaining,” Connor said as he moved to join his mates, sitting on the arm of Sylix’s chair.
He was a sassy man in general, but his smile was kind when he spoke to Avery.
“I know it can feel like a lot, and if you tell him it bothers you, his instinct to care for you will override any instinct to breed you, but you’re not required to have kids.
It’s just something that happens to incubi.
I can send you some information about it.
Humans really don’t educate their kids enough about supes.
It’s like they don’t want humans finding mates. ”
“That’s neither here, nor there,” Sylix interrupted, putting his arm around Connor’s waist. “No ranting about human rights. They’ve got enough on their plates right now.”
Connor rolled his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest, but he didn’t argue. Ozen would need to talk to the man more. He realized he didn't know what either of his grandfather’s mates did for a living. He just assumed they were all living the nomadic life that he’d known his grandfather enjoyed.
Sniffles caught his attention, and he moved without thinking, pulling Avery into his lap and taking his place on the couch, wrapping himself around his mate and burying his face into Avery’s wild curls.
“So… he won’t need to sleep with someone else?”
“Goddess, no,” Sylix agreed. “That’s physically impossible for a mated incubus.
If there was another meant to join your family, you’d both feel that pull toward them when you met, but there’s no guarantee that would happen.
The incubi mated to their own gender don’t suffer for being unable to procreate naturally.
There are plenty of options for them, and it all has the same effect on a breeding frenzy.
And if you’re not ready for a child, then you just need to wait it out.
It can take a few weeks, and I might suggest some ointments to prevent any pain from the…
demanding aspect of it. But no. He won’t need to sleep with anyone else. He’s only meant for you.”