Chapter 16
16
Kai
K ai stared, unseeing, at the television set. Cole had only been gone a little over two hours, but already his skin felt tight. He couldn’t stop the anxiety trickling along his nerve endings. His fox paced within his headspace, chirping to be set free, to be with Cole. His entire world for the last two weeks had revolved around Cole.
Howling in the distance sent a shiver down Kai’s spine. To be surrounded by predators with no way to escape spiked the restlessness to even higher levels. Kai got up and walked to the window. He saw Nick and Thayne lying together in the grass out front of the cabin. Thayne had his head on Nick’s back, eyes closed. He must have realized Kai was watching them, for one eye popped open. Kai leaned his forehead against the window and sighed, his breath fogging the glass for a split second.
Thayne nudged Nick, and they both stood, stretching, and then shifted. They headed up to the door and knocked. Kai hesitated but then went to let them in. Nick smiled at Kai as Thayne shut the door. “Missing Cole?”
Kai widened his eyes at Nick, surprised by how he’d easily picked up on Kai’s emotions.
“It’s okay. It’s natural to miss your mate.” Nick gestured to the couch.
Kai shook his head. “Don’t want to sit down.”
“He should be here soon,” Nick said. “It’s merely a formality to show his support of the summit and the partnership with the Senaka pack. Especially since he’s already found his mate. There’s no need for him to spend a lot of time with the other unmated wolves.” Nick winked at him.
The idea of Cole being around wolves who didn’t have their partner caused Kai to frown. “Is it possible for a wolf to have two mates in their life?”
Thayne leaned against the wall near the front door. “No. There is only one. Though it is possible to have a relationship with another if they haven’t found their mate or their true mate dies.”
“What if they find their mate and they don’t claim them?”
Nick winced. “It’s hard on both if either one doesn’t accept the other. It’s almost impossible not to claim them. But if it happens, they are capable of moving on, if they’re strong enough.”
“What do you mean?”
“There are some wolves who find the loss or rejection of their mate too hard to bear and will take their own life.”
Kai stared in horror at Nick. Would Cole actually do that? He remembered the papers he’d seen on Cole’s counter and what Nick and Cole had fought over. Did Cole intend on taking his own life because Kai wouldn’t become his mate? “Nick—”
“Quiet,” Nick said sharply, turning his head to listen to something.
“But—” Kai shut up when Nick gave him a harsh look.
Nick and Thayne stood and crept toward the door. Nick visibly relaxed when he peered out the window. “It’s Cole.”
Relief and excitement flooded Kai. Nick opened the door and Cole, in his wolf form, padded into the cabin. Another scent mingling with Cole’s slapped Kai in his face, and he frowned, sniffing at the air, trying to identify the new smell. The new odor had a sharp edge to it, a harsh red pepper or something. Kai moved closer to Cole and breathed in deeper. Cole shifted to human and Kai saw a guilty expression on Cole’s face. Jealousy sank its teeth into Kai. Anger followed behind it. Cole had found someone else. He reeked of whoever had been all over him.
Kai retreated, furious yet not even sure he had the right to be.
“Kai,” Cole said, holding out a hand.
Nick glanced at Thayne, and they both slipped out of the cabin. Kai glared at Cole, but didn’t say anything. “Nothing happened, Kai.”
“You stink,” Kai snapped.
Cole winced. “He stole the prey from my wolf. My wolf chased him down, and he wanted to, but I would never betray you, kit.”
Kai didn’t understand why he felt betrayed. He wanted to believe Cole, but his fox even stayed quiet. “You promised,” Kai whispered.
Anguish darkened Cole’s features. “I didn’t do anything with him, Kai. He wasn’t you. The only one I want is you. Haven’t I shown you nothing else since Phoenix?”
Biting his lip, Kai wrapped his arms around himself. “I-I don’t know.”
The light in Cole’s eyes seemed to go out then, and Kai knew he’d hurt Cole beyond anything he ever had before. His own heart wrenched, and Kai darted forward to wrap his arms around Cole’s waist. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”
Tears swept down Kai’s cheeks when Cole didn’t immediately embrace him. “I can’t keep doing this, kit,” Cole murmured. “I can’t keep having my heart torn out.”
“What? What are you saying?” Kai asked, lifting his head to peer into Cole’s eyes.
“When the summit is over, we’ll return to Emerald Lake Hills, and I’ll leave. Julie can handle the greenhouses, and Nick will protect you.” Cole sounded flat, lifeless, and Kai could see emptiness in Cole’s eyes. Something he had put there.
“No!” Kai protested. “I-I don’t want you to leave.”
“I can’t stay.”
Cole attempted to extract himself from Kai’s arms, but Kai held on tighter. He hadn’t been educated as most people were, and he might not understand everything about being a shifter or being a mate, but he knew he didn’t want to lose Cole. No one had made him feel safe since his parents died except Cole. He also sensed his fox would never forgive him if he chose to ignore the way his heart insisted he let Cole in. “Claim me,” he whispered.
Cole jerked. “What did you say?”
“Claim me,” Kai said again, stronger this time.
A choked sound came from Cole, and then he thrust Kai away. “Don’t,” Cole said through gritted teeth. “Don’t do that.”
“Do what?” Kai asked.
“Don’t ask me to do what you clearly don’t want.”
“How do you know I don’t want it?” Kai challenged.
Cole snorted. “It doesn’t take a whole lot of smarts to see you’re still afraid of me.”
“No! I’m not afraid of you! I just… I just don’t want anyone to have control over me ever again!”
Cole froze, horror dawning over his features. “You think being mated to me will be about my controlling you?”
Kai remained silent. Nothing in the time he’d known Cole had made him believe Cole would attempt to control him, but he couldn’t stop the human side of him arguing Cole would change after they were bound together. Cole must have taken his silence as affirmation.
“Being mated is about being one, about taking care of each other and loving each other. It’s about finding the other half of who we are.” Cole’s shoulders slumped. “A mate can never hurt a mate.”
Approaching Cole once more, Kai reached up to touch his cheek. “Then claim me.”
“I—” Kai cut off whatever Cole intended to say by placing his hand over Cole’s mouth.
“Please, Cole.”
A shudder visibly ran through Cole’s large frame, and then Kai found himself swept up in a hard embrace and his mouth plundered by Cole’s tongue. Kai returned the kiss eagerly, inexpertly, but Cole only groaned and then cupped Kai’s bottom, lifting him up and carrying him into the bedroom. Kai gasped when the cold sheets met his warm skin. Cole followed him to the mattress and continued to kiss him, dragging his tongue over Kai’s lower lip while his hand snaked underneath Kai’s T-shirt.
Heat seared through Kai’s flesh when Cole’s palm pressed against his belly. Cole slid his hand higher still, smoothing over his ribs to his pec and then down again. “Kai,” Cole groaned. “Touch me.”
Kai tentatively brought his hands up and rested them on Cole’s lower back. Cole’s shirt had bunched around Cole’s chest during their movements, and warm, muscled skin met his fingers. He pushed Cole’s shirt higher, tracing his fingertips along the same path. He tensed when Cole unsnapped the collar he wore and removed it, but then Cole slid his mouth down the line of Kai’s jaw to his throat. A sharp intake of breath and then a moan escaped Kai when Cole scraped his teeth over the sensitive skin on the side of his neck.
Cole did it again, and Kai gripped at the rippling muscles on Cole’s back, eyes wide in shock at how good everything felt. He’d always imagined sex to be quick, hard, and uncaring of the other person because of how Jerrod treated his women. The pure pleasure of Cole’s hands and mouth on his skin seemed almost unbearable, but Kai wanted more. When Cole’s mouth latched on to his throat and suckled the flesh, Kai couldn’t stop the small cry he let forth or his hips thrusting up, grinding his hard cock against Cole’s thigh.
“You taste amazing,” Cole murmured, swiping his tongue over the bit of skin. He grabbed the hem of Kai’s shirt and pulled it over Kai’s head. Kai moved to cover himself, embarrassed of how emaciated he still appeared.
“Don’t,” Cole rasped. “Don’t ever hide from me. You’re beautiful.”
A flush worked its way over Kai’s face. “I’m not.”
Cole cupped Kai’s cheek. “You are. You’re the most beautiful shifter I’ve ever seen. It’s a privilege having you for my mate. Everything you’ve survived shows me how strong you are. Weight can be gained, and scars only show your strength outside. You have a pure heart and a pure soul. Nothing else matters to me.”
Kai tried to protest again, but Cole silenced him with a deep kiss. A sigh of delight slipped out when Kai opened beneath Cole’s lips. Kai jerked when he felt Cole caress his chest, and then Cole began kissing his way down Kai’s body. Each nibble, lick, and suckle caused Kai’s cock to throb. By the time Cole reached his navel, a fine sheen of sweat covered Kai’s skin, and he thought for sure he would come in his jeans. Cole snaked his tongue into the shallow indent, and Kai gasped, arching his back and digging his fingers into the sheets.
Cole slipped the button free from its slot and began tugging down the zipper. Kai trembled, afraid, but yet he wanted nothing more in his life than to be touched by Cole. Cole tugged the jeans down a bit, exposing Kai’s hip bones and abdomen. The tip of Kai’s cock peeked from the top of his briefs and Kai couldn’t help the keening cry torn from him when Cole slid his tongue around the mushroom-shaped knob. “Oh my God,” Kai moaned.
Shudders wracked Kai’s body with each swirl of Cole’s tongue. He was too far gone to notice when Cole slid the briefs down and tucked them underneath his balls, freeing the entire length of his dick. The second Cole swallowed him whole, Kai curled his toes inside his socks and couldn’t stop himself from falling over the edge and coming down Cole’s throat. He cried out and thrashed his head from side to side, nails shredding the sheets beneath him.
When he could think again and process what had happened, Cole had every piece of their clothing removed and Kai tucked tight to his chest. “You okay, kit?” Cole murmured.
“I had no idea anything could feel so good,” Kai rasped.
Cole nuzzled the area behind Kai’s ear. “It only gets better.”
Oh God, if it got any better Kai might not survive. Cole flicked his tongue over Kai’s skin and then wrapped his hand around Kai’s half-hard cock. He began to stroke Kai until Kai stood at full mast once more. Kai couldn’t help the tiny groans and whimpers he choked out over and over. The calluses on Cole’s hands felt almost sinful and beyond wonderful. He didn’t think he could handle Cole doing anything more to him, but Cole once again made his way down Kai’s body, and Kai gasped when Cole lifted his thighs over his shoulders. But the sensation of Cole separating his bottom and the swift swipe of his tongue caused Kai to almost buck them both off the bed. “Cole!”
“Relax,” Cole whispered, and then he repeated the action. Kai couldn’t imagine how Cole could be doing something in such a place or how it could possibly feel as good as it did. A shocked moan escaped Kai when Cole pressed his tongue inside him, breaching the tight muscle of his entrance.
If Kai hadn’t already come, he would have right then. Kai grabbed hold of the already torn sheets again, unsure how he’d endure all the new sensations Cole inflicted upon him without flying apart. Cole thrust his tongue in and out of his hole, simulating the action of fucking. Kai couldn’t prevent the sounds he made as Cole ravished him, flicking his tongue again and again, probing inside of him. The noises embarrassed Kai, but everything Cole did unleashed a whole uncharted world of awareness of his body.
When Cole stopped, Kai released a small choke of disappointment, but the choke turned to a loud gasp when Cole slid a finger inside of him. Cole slipped the digit deeper inside of Kai. The whole thing felt strange, and Kai fidgeted a bit, causing Cole to continue to lap at his entrance again. It took several moments before Kai could relax and it no longer seemed as if he had to go to the bathroom. Until Cole added a second finger and Kai felt a twinge of pain, but it disappeared almost immediately.
Then Cole touched something inside of him, and Kai cried out, lightning rippling through his entire being. What the hell was that? Kai couldn’t think or speak, and he realized his hips were pushing down on Cole’s fingers. He hadn’t even known he’d been doing it. Cole placed several kisses along Kai’s inner thigh, suckling as he went. “Don’t move,” Cole commanded as he pulled his fingers free of Kai and climbed off the bed.
Kai wondered if he’d done something wrong. Those thoughts lasted for about half a second, and then Cole joined him on the bed again. The snap of a cap roused Kai enough to register Cole held a small white tube in his hand. He looked on curiously as Cole squeezed some kind of clear gel onto his fingers, but he lost interest the moment Cole slid one and then the other finger back into him. The coldness made him shiver. Kai didn’t know how the stuff didn’t sizzle when it came into contact with his heated skin. Then, as Cole moved the digits inside of him, Kai realized the purpose of the gel, and he flushed, biting his lip. It smoothed the way for Cole to fuck him.
The knowledge caused his gaze to drop down to Cole’s crotch, and his eyes widened when he saw the size of Cole’s cock. The head had to be almost as big as his fist, and the thickness as wide as his arm. How the hell would it fit inside of him? Cole must have sensed his perusal, and he picked up Kai’s hand and brought it down to his cock, wrapping Kai’s fingers around the shaft. A gasp caught in Kai’s throat at how hot the hard length felt in his palm, the skin smooth and silky. He tentatively stroked as he would himself, and Cole hissed. Kai darted his gaze up to Cole’s face, but he only saw pleasure on Cole’s features.
“Kai,” Cole groaned and then kissed him, hard. Kai tightened his grip and tugged faster, beginning to enjoy the way Cole throbbed in his hand. But Cole stopped him, grabbing his wrist. “I’ll come if you keep touching me, and I need to be inside you.”
Kai’s doubts resurfaced again. “Will it fit?”
Cole nuzzled Kai’s throat. “It will. It may hurt a little at first, but then it starts to feel good.”
He still didn’t believe Cole’s cock would be able to go inside him, but he nodded. Cole picked up the little tube once more and drizzled a lot more gel into his palm, which he proceeded to slather over his dick. Kai couldn’t stop himself from tensing as Cole rose up over him. “You need to relax, kit,” Cole murmured, pressing a kiss to the corner of Kai’s mouth.
Cole slotted the head of his cock at Kai’s entrance, but Kai couldn’t force himself to calm down, and he winced as Cole attempted to push a little. After a second failure to enter him, Cole started kissing him, drawing Kai into a mini make-out session, and then suddenly Kai found himself on top of Cole. Surprise caused Kai to sit up a bit, and he stared down at Cole. “What?”
“It’s easier if you control how fast you take me, kit,” Cole explained, lips swollen from their kisses and eyes half-lidded from lust. “Do whatever you’re comfortable with. I don’t want this to be something you remember with hatred or disgust.”
Kai sucked a breath and then let it out slowly. He knew he wanted Cole to claim him, and he knew from what Cole had told him before Cole had to come inside of him and bite him. He rolled his shoulders and sat up farther. The head of Cole’s cock bumped along his crack and came to rest above the crease. He experimented with the motion, rocking up and down a bit.
Cole gripped Kai’s hips. “Don’t tease,” he growled.
A smile flitted over Kai’s lips. He liked having power over someone else. It made him feel more in control than he ever had before. Leaning forward, he reached behind him, guided Cole’s shaft to his hole and, taking a deep breath, bore down a bit. His eyes flew open wider when the tip began to ease into him, and a popping sensation tore through him as the crown breached him entirely. “Slowly, kit,” Cole encouraged. “Take it slow and easy. Fuck, you feel good.”
Sweat burst out over Kai’s forehead and upper lip, and his thighs began to burn from the effort. He braced himself on Cole’s chest and eased a bit more of Cole inside. Cole slid his palms over Kai’s thighs, along his abdomen and belly, and higher to his pecs. “God, you’re beautiful.”
A flush suffused Kai’s entire body. Cole thought he was beautiful? Even with his body all scarred and skinny? Kai managed to take a couple more inches before he had to stop and allow himself to accept the invasion of Cole’s flesh.
He had no idea how long it took before his ass met Cole’s balls, but his entire body shimmered with sweat and his thighs were on fire. Kai remained still for several breaths, and then he shifted to find a more comfortable position, only to gasp when Cole’s cock touched the same place his fingers had. He rocked his hips experimentally, tilting his head back and closing his eyes at the ecstasy engulfing him. Cole made some sort of noise, but Kai couldn’t comprehend anything beyond what he felt.
Cole gripped his hips and stilled his motions. “Kai, stop.”
Kai opened his eyes and stared down at Cole. Had he done something wrong?
Cole reached up to caress Kai’s cheek. “I need a second. You’re so fucking tight I’m not going to last long if you keep moving.”
Tilting his head a bit, unable to understand why Cole wouldn’t want to come, Kai asked, “Don’t you have to come inside me to claim me?” Kai asked.
Smiling a bit, Cole replied, “I want it to be about more than just claiming you, kit. I want to make love to you.”
Kai frowned. He’d never heard the term before. “Make love? Is that the same thing as fucking?”
Cole winced. “Making love is what two people do who care about each other. It’s about ensuring we both feel good and showing our affection for each other. Fucking, though I do want to fuck you, isn’t the same. It’s hard and fast and not at all about anything except pleasure.”
Still seated on Cole’s cock, Kai tried to understand the difference, he’d only ever seen or heard mention of fucking. The other seemed nicer, though. Something he could enjoy. “I see.”
Cole wrapped his arms around Kai, pulling him down to his chest and then rolling them until their positions were reversed. He remained embedded deep inside Kai. “Do you, kit? Do you know how much I want you?” Cole rolled his hips. Kai grabbed at Cole’s forearms, letting out a moan. “You need to understand before this is over, once I claim you, you and I are tied forever. There’s no running away, and there’s no way to undo the bond. Do you agree to be my mate, Kai? To stay by my side until the day I die?”
Kai stared at Cole, the man who had taken him in such a short time ago, the one who’d given him everything and never asked for anything in return, the one man who he couldn’t imagine his life without. “Yes.”
A growl rumbled in Cole’s throat and he began to move, thrusting deep and slow. Kai moaned and gripped Cole’s arms tighter. Everything outside the bed they were in no longer existed. Kai had no idea how he’d ever lived before Cole. He brought his legs up higher around Cole, gasping when it allowed Cole to reach even farther inside him. Cole’s movements caused a sweet friction on his own cock and he knew it wouldn’t be long before he came. He pulled Cole tighter against him, welcoming the peak just seconds from consuming him. A loud cry echoed through the cabin as Kai came, hot, wet splashes of semen coating his and Cole’s abdomens.
The friction became a sweet, slick glide, and then Cole grunted. If it were at all possible, Cole swelled even larger as warmth spread through Kai’s insides, and then a piercing, sharp pain in his shoulder ripped another howl and another orgasm from Kai. He arched from the mattress, clawing at Cole, shuddering and sobbing at the overwhelming crash of emotions pouring over and through him. “Cole, oh God!” Kai wailed.
Cole withdrew his teeth from Kai’s shoulder and lapped at the wound. Kai shuddered and collapsed to the bed, boneless. A hiss came from Kai when Cole slid free from his body and then Kai found himself pulled to Cole’s chest. “Sleep now, kit. I’ve got you.”
Kai struggled to stay awake, but the stress of the trip and the hours spent without Cole along with the massive overload on his senses yanked Kai deep under. He couldn’t be sure how long he slept, but he knew when he woke daylight shone through the edges of the curtains. He sat up and winced, his bottom protesting being sat on after the previous evening’s activities. The sound of the shower told him Cole hadn’t left him at the cabin on his own again, and Kai couldn’t stop the relief and satisfaction at knowing he wasn’t alone.
He climbed off the bed gingerly and walked toward the bathroom. He could see Cole’s outline behind the translucent curtain. “Cole?”
Cole stuck his head out from behind the curtain. “Good morning, kit. Give me a sec and I’ll be right out.”
Kai, after a split second of hesitation, opened the curtain and stepped inside with Cole. Surprise flashed over Cole’s face, and then Kai found himself pressed against the shower wall, his mouth covered by Cole’s. Cole took advantage of the slight gasp he let out when the cold tiles met his back to allow his tongue to plunge in and coax Kai’s tongue out to play. Kai moaned and brought his arms up around Cole’s neck, his fingers tunneling through Cole’s wet hair. Cole picked him up, urging Kai to wrap his legs around Cole’s waist, which he did without hesitation. When Cole broke the kiss, Kai panted for breath and buried his face in the crook of Cole’s neck. “Thank you, kit,” Cole said.
Looking up, Kai gave Cole a questioning look.
“For trusting me. For having the courage to come in here. For bonding with me and for coming to the summit.”
“Oh,” Kai said.
“Are you hungry? I can go down to the main cabin and get us some breakfast.”
Kai might have accepted Cole as his mate, but he still didn’t think he could handle being around all the other shifters. “Okay.”
Cole smiled and set Kai on his feet. “Why don’t you take a shower while I get dressed and go get the food?”
“Okay.”
Cole pressed a kiss to Kai’s temple. “I won’t be long, baby.”
The nickname, different from the usual one Cole used, caused Kai to wrinkle his nose. “I’m not a baby.”
Cole laughed. “You are definitely not a baby. Especially considering what we did last night. It’s just a term of endearment, kit. It isn’t meant in a derogatory fashion.”
“I prefer kit.”
Affection lit Cole’s features and he leaned in to kiss Kai again. “Okay, kit. Go on. I’ll have everything ready before you finish.”
Kai nodded and watched Cole leave the bathroom before pulling the curtain closed the whole way. He grabbed the small bottle of shampoo and started soaping his hair. His mind drifted to the night before and what had happened. He’d actually let Cole… no, he’d actually asked Cole to claim him. His fox seemed content, more settled than Kai had ever experienced since his fox had taken over when he’d turned thirteen. But his human mind couldn’t settle as easily. He prayed Cole wouldn’t turn around and try to control him.
Stop thinking so hard, Cole’s voice brushed through his mind, and Kai jerked, shocked and horrified. “Cole?”
A gentle laugh whispered through his head. I’m not actually there, kit. Remember I told you being able to talk to each other this way is part of the bond.
Kai felt as if his privacy was invaded. Could Cole could see his memories? Panic struck him, and Kai struggled to understand what he could possibly do to stop Cole from learning about the things his uncle made him do. Calm down, Kai. Just relax. We can talk about it in a few minutes.
Kai wrenched off the shower and almost slipped on the tiled floor as he yanked open the curtain. Oh God. Cole couldn’t find out about his past. He grabbed a towel, dried off briskly, and rushed into the bedroom to grab clothing. If he’d recalled what Cole had told him before, he never would have let Cole claim him. A sharp sadness stung him, and Kai almost collapsed under the weight of it. Is that really how you feel, kit? After everything? Cole murmured in his mind.
“Cole, I—” Kai stopped. How did he respond?
Silence stretched on, and Kai could sense Cole had cut himself off from him. He didn’t know how he knew; he just did. His fox chirped at him in annoyance. “I know, I know! But he can’t find out!” Kai berated his other half. “He wouldn’t want me anymore.”
The front door opened and shut a few minutes after Kai had finished getting dressed and sat on the edge of the bed, head down with his hands between his knees. The smell of eggs and bacon wafted through to the bedroom, and Kai’s stomach growled. He wanted to go out there, but the idea of facing a hurt Cole kept his butt firmly planted on the bed. Cole must have figured Kai wouldn’t be coming out and brought the food into the room. He quietly handed Kai a plate with a fork and moved over to sit on the chair in the corner of the room. The slight snub hurt, but Kai didn’t know what to say. They ate in silence.
Once their plates were clean, Cole took the plate from Kai, set it on the dresser and turned to look at him. “Why are you worried about my being able to sense your emotions and talk to you through our link?”
“I just… I feel as though I don’t have any privacy anymore,” Kai managed.
Cole frowned and sank down on the bed beside Kai. “I can’t read your thoughts, kit. I can sense what you’re feeling, and I can talk to you, share my feelings with you, but I can’t see whatever you don’t want me to. Eventually, as the bond grows stronger, the walls will lower, and we’ll be able to hear each other no matter where we are and see what we see. But it will be only if you want me to. Although I have to admit the idea you have some sort of secret you aren’t willing to share with me hurts.”
Kai winced. “I don’t—” He cut himself off because he didn’t want to lie. “There are just things I am not ready to talk about.”
Cole turned toward Kai and picked up his hand in his. “You’re my mate, kit. Our link is another benefit of being bonded. I’ll know if you’re in trouble no matter where I am. Whatever it is, I’m willing to wait until you are ready. But don’t shut me out because you’re afraid. You could be a former spy and I wouldn’t care.”
“I’m not a spy,” Kai muttered.
Chuckling, Cole entwined his fingers with Kai’s. “I know, kit. I just want you to understand I don’t care what you did in your past, and I will do whatever it takes to help you through whatever you went through. If you think talking to a human psychologist would help, I can arrange it.”
“No!” Kai gave him a look of horror.
“Maybe talking to someone would help. Even if it isn’t me.”
“I can’t talk to anyone about it.” Cole swallowed hard, and Kai knew he’d hurt Cole. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.
Cole gave him a look of sad acceptance. “What have I told you, Kai? You don’t have to be sorry. You obviously went through a lot, and there are things we will have to find a way to get past. I understand you may not ever want to tell me. But you’re my mate, and I want you to know you can tell me anything. I will always be there for you.”
Kai nodded but didn’t answer. Cole put his arm around Kai and sat in silence for a long moment. “Do you want to go for a run together? The others will be at several events my parents planned in order for the two packs to work together during the day. It’ll be just us.”
“Okay. Sure.” Kai was eager to get out of the cabin for a little while. He was going a bit stir-crazy since being holed up in there for practically the last twenty-four hours. He followed Cole from the cabin, and as soon as they were within the coverage of the trees, they both shifted. Kai took the lead and ran, his black paws digging into the earth to push himself faster. Cole never fell behind but allowed Kai to set the pace.