Chapter Five
Bastian
Standing in front of the office building that would soon be his new base of operations, Bastian stared at the dark red brick. Leo signed the paperwork this morning and Bastian was waiting on him to bring the keys over. He wanted to start getting measurements to order the security system.
Aaron had been in the main house kitchen, online shopping for the office furnishings with the help of Lawson while Bryce, Nate, and Axel were headed into the closest city to do some shopping.
At first it was supposed to be Axel and Bryce but when Bas had brought up his issue with not having any cat-friendly things in his cabin, Nate had insisted he knew what store to visit.
Bryce had gotten excited, and the alpha was now in charge of updating Bas’s place.
Overall, Bastian was pleased with how he’d managed to avoid shopping and still would be able to stage the cabin as if he owned a cat. It wasn’t technically a lie. He was a cat. That had to count for something.
His phone chimed from a text message and Bastian dug the little device out.
The picture of a cart full of cat items had Bastian barely holding on to his cell. It might have been a mistake to give Nate his credit card.
Bastian typed quickly. ‘I don’t think I need that much stuff.’
Nate’s response came back fast. ‘You want to be seen as a responsible cat owner, don’t you?’
Damn it he did. ‘A tree condo?’ That thing was huge.
‘It’s awesome!’ Nate’s text claimed.
‘What am I supposed to do with all this stuff after tonight?’ Bas had planned on buying a few toys. Maybe some dishes.
‘Use it! You’re a cat.’
The little troublemaker couldn’t be serious. ‘Nate! I think that’s more than enough stuff.’ He had to stand firm.
‘From this store,’ Nate sent back. ‘One more stop then we’ll head back so we can get everything set up. Oh! And Drake said not to worry about dinner. He said he would take care of everything.’
Bas wanted to argue but Nate was doing him a favor. Plus, Drake providing dinner would surely impress Hudson for their date. And it was absolutely a date. He needed to make sure that Hudson was aware of that. Bastian didn’t want his boy to have any doubts.
He’d stayed on Hudson’s lap for over an hour the prior night. Hudson had sipped on his beer, but he didn’t seem interested in it. If Bastian had been there in his human form, he would have made Hudson a soothing decaffeinated tea while coaxing him to relax.
His sweet human had so many worries. Bastian hated that when he shifted, he couldn’t reassure Hudson. Bas had done his best with bumps, licks, and sounds. It seemed to help.
It had grown awkward when Carter had questioned Hudson about his feelings. While Bastian appreciated the inside knowledge, it had also felt sort of creepy. Hudson shared everything with his brother including very intimate topics.
Bastian was about to respond to Nate and beg for mercy until he heard his mate’s voice.
Glancing over to the building next to his, he watched as Hudson exited with another man. Quickly Bastian stuffed his phone in his back pocket.
Hudson had his head turned, speaking with an attractive man in a suit as they turned toward him.
Mid-sentence Hudson stopped talking when he spotted Bastian.
Smile. Don’t growl. No pummeling the attractive man that was too close to his mate.
The stranger looked from Hudson to Bas. There was question in his eyes, but he remained smiling. Bas didn’t trust that smile. It seemed…fake somehow.
“Uh, hello,” The stranger greeted.
Bas cut his gaze from the stranger and made sure he was smiling. “Hudson! It’s good to see you.”
“Hi, Bastian.” Hudson’s smile was bright.
He found himself moving closer. Just needing to be as close to his mate as possible. The stranger shifted his weight, brushing his shoulder against Hudson’s.
For one brief moment, Bastian nearly lost control and pounced on the stranger.
Hudson grabbed his hand as he spoke. “What are you doing here? Do you know the mayor, Easton Goldsmith?”
Bastian calmed as soon as Hudson touched him. Once his mind cleared, he recognized Hudson’s words. “The mayor?”
The stranger nodded. “Easton Goldsmith.” He held out a hand.
It irritated Bas that he had to release Hudson’s hand to shake the other man’s. “Bastian.” He didn’t offer his last name.
“Nice to meet you,” Easton said.
“You too.” Bastian didn’t even mean it. He turned back to his mate. The only man that Bas wanted to talk to. “I’m waiting for Leo to bring the keys to our new office.” He motioned back toward their office door.
“Leo Cunnings?” Easton asked.
Damn it, why didn’t the annoying little human just go away. Smile. No growling. “You’ve met?” he questioned.
“We’ve spoke on the phone,” Easton replied. “I wasn’t aware that the sale of the building went through.”
“Papers were signed this morning,” Bastian responded. He gave his attention to his mate again. “I’m just taking some measurements. I’ll be home in time for our date.”
He wanted to smirk when Hudson’s eyes widened before he grinned.
“You’re still coming, right?” Bastian pushed.
“I am.” Hudson’s hand went to his arm.
His sweet human loved to touch him it seemed. Didn’t matter if he was in human or shifted form. Bastian approved.
“We’re headed for an early lunch at the diner,” Hudson explained. “I didn’t want to eat too late.”
“I’m glad,” Bastian told him. “We’ll have dinner than take a walk. It’s a gorgeous sight as the sun goes down.”
“Sounds like a romantic date,” Easton said as he nudged Hudson’s arm.
Had his mate discussed the date with the mayor as well? Bastian wanted to preen but resisted. “I hope so.” Reaching out, he caressed Hudson’s shoulder. “I look forward to learning more, Hudson.”
“I bet.” Easton rocked back on his heels.
“I’m looking forward to tonight too! Oh! And Bas came by my house again last night. I hope you don’t mind.”
“I can’t blame him for wanting to spend time with you,” Bastian flirted. This wasn’t so hard.
Hudson blushed.
In his pocket, Bastian’s phone gave a series of chimes.
“We should go,” Easton urged Hudson. “I have a meeting right after lunch.”
“Sure!” Hudson smiled at Bastian. “I’ll see you at six.”
“Six o’clock.” Taking a chance, Bastian leaned forward and kissed Hudson’s cheek.
Hudson giggled. “Bye.”
His mate practically skipped away with Easton.
Bastian watched until they crossed the street.
Hudson was friends with the mayor. That was very interesting.
And he was quite pleased that he’d made sure Hudson knew their evening was a date.
Feeling damn good, Bastian pulled his cell back out of his pocket.
He groaned at the series of pictures that Nate had sent.
Bastian was going to strangle the little monster.
* * * * *
Bastian
Looking around the living room of the cabin, Bastian was both in awe and a little scared at what Bryce, Nate, and Lawson had accomplished in just a few short hours.
Not only had they made the space a cat’s haven, but they’d also added pillows, blankets, and home décor that warmed up the cabin and gave it a more lived-in feel.
Now this Bastian could totally get behind.
“It looks nice, right?” Nate bounced beside him.
Bastian grinned back at the little shifter. Little being the key word. Both Nate and Bryce were in fill little mode, including wearing adorable onesies. “Great job! I appreciate all the hard work you three put in.”
While Lawson was quieter than Nate, he was no less of a troublemaker. He also loved having puppy time with his Daddy and had been eyeing the cat bed in the corner.
“You want to try it out for me?” Bastian asked Lawson kindly.
Lawson looked up at Bas with a shy smile. “Really?”
Bastian waved him forward. “Go ahead.”
Dropping down to his knees, Lawson barked and raced toward the cat bed in the corner.
Bryce and Nate began to cheer him on, laughing and shouting before joining in on the fun. Nate even pulled off his clothes and quickly shifted into his bobcat form.
Well, at least there would be hair on the items and they wouldn’t look so pristine.
As the three boys got lost in their playtime, Bastian walked toward the kitchen island.
He appreciated the open concept of this cabin.
From the door he could see the living area, kitchen, and small dining space.
There was a short hall that led to the bedroom and attached bath as well as the spare room Bas had set up as an office.
From his understanding, the cabins had been built with several models in mind. Some had more rooms, or a designated kitchen area. This one fit Bastian the best.
Peering over the dark gray marble countertops, Bastian couldn’t help but wonder what Hudson would think about his place.
Not that it was actually his house, although Axel and Shawn had assured him he was welcome to claim it as his own.
Bas still felt like his life was up in the air. He’d found his mate, but now what?
Hudson had a life of his own too. A job that he seemed to enjoy, family he was close to, and dreams that Bas knew nothing about. With his mate being a human, Bastian was at a loss how to even start bringing Hudson into his world.
The boys’ loud giggles from the living room drew his attention.
Two humans and a shifter. Bryce and Lawson both seemed to love the new world that they’d been introduced to by their mates. There were other humans in the family as well.
Bastian barely heard the knock on the door over the ruckus of the boys. He hurried over to answer. There was at least thirty minutes until Hudson was expected. Was his mate early? Bas didn’t have time to worry.
Opening the door, he was relieved and disappointed that it wasn’t Hudson. He grinned at Axel and Leo. “Hey.”
“I came to collect the troublemakers,” Axel said. “If we don’t find somewhere else for them to be, your poor mate is going to adopted by them and maybe stolen away.”
Bas waved both men in.
Axel sighed. “It’s almost dinnertime. I’m never going to get them to calm down now.”