Chapter 3 Rafael
Rafael
Heart still rapidly beating in his chest, Rafael found his way to the fresh pretzel stand. Steve always made certain the food vendors were of high quality and the best around. No pre-frozen pretzels, always freshly made by Lucian and his mate.
Not that Rafael was hungry, but the tantalizing aromas assailing his senses assisted with rousing his body to a fully awakened state.
However, the fresh pretzels held no allure like the scent of his mate as Rafael stepped behind the man in line.
Rafael cleared his throat, and the man turned around, leaving Rafael breathless at the sight of his gorgeous mate.
Hi,” he started, trying to keep from laughing as his mate just stood there, mouth agape in the cutest little gasp. “Can I offer you a pretzel and coffee?”
Rafael felt his lips curve and tried to stop them as the smile wanted to escape as his mate's jaw dropped open and he pointed to himself.
“Yea, you.”
Perhaps this was the moment Yvonne suggested about needing to be cautious as his mate looked a little freaked and flabbergasted as he nodded.
Then practically rolled his eyes and shook his head as Rafael stepped next to him and put in an order with Alexi, Lucian's mate.
To the outside world, she was perceived as his wife.
They were an oddity that fit perfectly within their home.
A cat shifter alpha who enjoyed baking mated with a wolf shifter omega.
Years ago when Alexi arrived with Damien's pack, Yvonne had to create a freak rainstorm to hide all the mating and subsequent heat scents from tourists. Lucian had gone into a frenzy, attempting to attack a large alpha wolf in his tiny domestic cat form. Luckily Rafael didn’t have that sort of urge or situation on hand.
All he had was a stunned mate.
Coffee and pretzels in hand, with a wink from Alexi, Rafael held out his elbow for his mate and puffed up when the man took it.
Thanks to the layout of the park, a picnic area covered a decent space near the food vendors. Large shady trees provided a haven of serenity that offset the chaotic park. It was the perfect place to desensitize or relax after spending all day riding rides and playing games.
Diedra, their resident dryad, kept the lawn plush and the trees strong and happy. Rafael didn't know the specifics of this side of the park, nor had he visited it much, but seeing the way his mate was staring in wonder made him realize he would bring his mate back whenever he asked.
Hell, his mate would have run of the park if he wanted to.
But Rafael kept getting ahead of himself. He didn't even know his mate’s name.
All he knew was that his mate's fair features made him look royal. His mate had regal features, including deep blue eyes that lit up with wonder during their little stroll through the picnic. Rafael wanted his mate completely to himself.
He didn't want snooping fairgoers or family. Yet. He knew his family would hijack his mate once they settled in. Right now was his time.
Finally reaching his destination of a private picnic table, Rafael placed the treats on the table and offered his mate the opportunity to sit down first. Which may have been strange since he couldn't pull out a chair, as it was a bench.
That begged the question: did he sit right next to his mate, or did he sit across from the man?
“You can sit beside me?” His mate stated it more as a question. He wasn't the only one nervous.
Once Rafael sat, he angled his body to study the features of his gorgeous mate.
“I guess I'm not the only awkward one, huh?” His mate gave a light chuckle. “Thank you.” His voice was so low that if Rafael hadn't had heightened senses, he might have missed the words.
“Awkward is in my nature.” So damn true. Would his mate think him weird? Too strange? Too far out there in the realm of possibilities that— Rafael shook those thoughts from his head. “I'm Rafael.”
His mate groaned around a mouthful, embarrassment colored his cheeks, and Rafael found himself grinning at the man. And providing for his mate made him feel like he was doing it right.
“I'm Isaac,” his mate mumbled before swallowing his bite. “I'm sorry,” he began, “I was hungrier than I thought.”
“Never apologize.” Rafael refused to hear it. “If you're still hungry, I'll be glad to get you whatever. You can even have my pretzel.”
“Oh, no,” Isaac shook his head, his hair bouncing with the motion. Would it be weird if he brushed Isaac's hair from his forehead? Would it be soft? Would his mate enjoy it if he tugged on it? “You should eat your pretzel. It's amazing.”
“They are very good. Lucian makes them fresh.”
“Oh,” his mate deflated, shoulders slumping and eyes dimming as he cast his gaze to his hands.
Rafael reached out and tucked a knuckle under Isaac's chin to raise his head to face him. “What did I say?”
Isaac seemed to contemplate his words as his eyes scanned Rafael's face. “Nothing,” he said and shook his head. “Just me being silly and thought…” His voice trailed off.
“Thought what?” Rafael asked. “I'm not a mind reader. Tell it to me straight.” Sound advice Rafael knew he'd have to use on himself soon.
Isaac took another bite and chewed thoroughly before swallowing. Then he stalled even longer by taking a long pull from his coffee. Rafael felt jealous of the cup when Isaac moaned in delight at the flavor of the drink .
“I,” Isaac started, leaving his mouth open as if the words were difficult to speak. “I thought I was special. But when you know the food vendor by name, it makes it seem like you do this often.”
That was so far from the truth.
“You are special, Isaac,” Rafael pleaded with his mate. “I've never picked up a townie before.” At Isaac's gasp, Rafael backtracked. “Sorry. I've been told to use newer words. Person. Customer. Tourist.”
“Wait, so you mean a townie, as one would say, a carny?” Isaac's eyes appeared to light up with understanding.
“Yes,” Rafael agreed, yet felt himself cringing. Those were words of old, yes, but it's what he knew. It's what most of them knew. At one point, they traveled from town to town. Until they settled here, and Yvonne, with the help of her coven, protected them with their magic.
“I feel like there's more to that than you're saying.”
“There is.” Rafael just didn’t want to share just yet. What would he say? ‘Hi, I’m a horse shifter of sorts. I’m over a hundred years old. I spend my time sleeping as a ride seat?’
“But we just met?” Isaac took the lead, nodding as if he understood completely.
“So, is this a real date then?” Isaac asked with a slight curve of his lips.
With his body tilted towards Rafael, Isaac looked flirty and relaxed.
Rafael wanted his mate to feel relaxed around him.
He didn’t want there to be any issues. However, he still needed to navigate the 'I'm not human' conversation. Hopefully that would be a little later.
Yet, when Rafael thought about Isaac leaving, a tremor of panic slithered its way around his stomach, souring the one sip of coffee he had taken.
“Alright then,” Isaac huffed and tore the pretzel in half, handing Rafael the bigger half.
Rafael refused the larger half and took the smaller one instead.
His mate came first. Isaac smirked, rolled his eyes slightly, and took the larger half that was still warm.
“Want to play twenty questions then? Since you bought coffee and pretzels, I take it we need to use this time to get to know each other?”
Rafael felt his head bob in a nod before he registered that maybe Isaac wanted words. “Yes. I like that idea.” He wanted to say so much more, but he didn’t want to send his mate running in fear.
They seemed to hold a stare-off as Isaac chewed.
Rafael found himself mesmerized by Isaac’s throat as he worked and swallowed.
Would his mate oppose engaging in throat play?
Rafael shifted in his seat. Not literally, because he could shift into a seat.
But with his pants shrinking a size, he was becoming uncomfortable gawking at his mate.
Isaac gave up first and laughed. His eyes sparkling, his cheeks stretching, his entire being lighting up with merriment. It was glorious.
“I guess I’ll start,” Isaac said with a lilt to his voice as he was still chuckling. “What do you do?”
“You?” Rafael automatically answered.
Isaac laughed once more, and Rafael wanted to keep him in a laughing state for as long as he could.
“Not yet,” he smirked, his eyes flashing with mischief. “What do you do for work?”
Well, that was another tough question. “I work on one of the rides here at the park.” It was the truth—basically.
“Do you live around here?”
“Yes and no. Most of us live here on the grounds.”
Isaac’s brows shot up. He leaned in and whispered. “Like an actual carny?”
It was Rafael’s turn to smirk and chortle. “Pretty much.” Then he leaned in until they were nearly nose to nose. “It’s a secret, but there’s an entire community for everyone who works and lives here. It’s protected. Kept away from the public eye.”
“I definitely need more information on that. But first. What’s the ride you work on? Like a mechanic? Or operator? Could I get free rides?”
Fuck yes, Rafael wanted to shout but kept his words locked deep for now. “The carousel.”
Isaac froze. His entire being froze. Rafael hesitated to wave a hand in front of him until the man blinked at him. “No way.”
“Yea?”
“I freakin’ love the carousel! All merry-go-rounds! Whatever you want to call them. I am literally obsessed with carousels!” Isaac was so animated as he spoke that Rafael felt an inch closer to Isaac grabbing hold of his face in excitement.
Could his mate be any more perfect? How had he gotten so lucky that his mate, who loved carousels, had just happened to land in his lap? Fate was a wonderful woman. Or women. Or men. He didn’t know exactly. He had no thoughts one way or another on the subject of the identity of the Fates.
I love you. He wanted to blurt out as he simply basked in the scent and warmth of his mate.
“Is that why you are here?”
Isaac sighed joyfully. “Yes. This is the last carousel on my list to visit. I don’t have any good images on my phone…
” He dug out his phone, voice trailing off, and played with the screen.
“I could show you what I have here, but it’s not the same.
I take photographs of the carousel seats.
I collect nearly everything carnival- or carousel- related that I can.
It’s been an obsession for a while,” he shrugged and scrunched up his face like he was embarrassed.
“I’d love to see it sometime. Obviously I have an affinity for carousels if I work with them every day.
” Understatement of the century. Rafael felt more threads tying themselves together the longer he stayed near Isaac.
How did he convince the man to stay? Hell, Rafael never expected to have a fated mate.
Now he faced his fated mate, and he had no idea how to move forward.
Maybe Lucian would give him advice? No, that wouldn’t work. They were both animals and practically attacked each other instantly. Who else had a human mate?
“Would you?” His Isaac was skeptical. That just wouldn’t do.
Rafael listened to his instincts that pushed him forward.
Raising his hand, he cupped Isaac’s cheek and leaned in.
A breath away, Rafael paused. And when Isaac’s gaze dipped to his lips, Rafael closed the distance.
A spark zapped along their touching lips that had Isaac gasping briefly before he dove back in for more.
Their noses bumped together, hands tangled as they each reached for each other. Rafael cursed the bench as their bodies were far from touching. As their tongues danced and their lips parted, he needed more. His taste buds burst with a new, unique flavor he knew he'd soon become addicted to.
This was his mate in his arms, and Rafael hoped Isaac never left.
Yet it all faded as Isaac pulled back and gasped in horror. The tone completely different from earlier. That's when Rafael realized his shades were pushed up off his face.
Fuck.