Oh, Shut up!
Talon
As we stepped out of the dimly lit confines of the Dungeon, the cool, fresh air hit me like a shockwave. It was a stark contrast to the heated atmosphere we”d just left behind. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing thoughts, but it did little to clear the confusion swirling inside me.
Dominic… The name echoed in my mind, accompanied by the vivid image of his piercing green gaze and the unsettling feeling of being sized up like prey. My lion, usually so sure and steady, was in turmoil, sending mixed signals that only deepened my unease. How could I feel this pull, this inexplicable connection to him, when I had already experienced something so similar with Lucas?
Oh, your lion will tell you when you meet your mate. Walter’s words reverberated in my thoughts. My lion didn’t know shit. He was as confused as I was.
And the idea of having two mates…. that was fucking unheard of—at least in everything I”d been taught. Mates were supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime bond, a singular soul meant to complete your own. Yet here I was, my lion equally stirred by both Dominic and Lucas, leaving me in a state of conflict I couldn”t begin to unravel.
I glanced at Walter, who strode ahead, his posture rigid with unspoken anger from our encounter. I wanted to ask him to seek some guidance, but pride and uncertainty held me back. How could I explain this quandary without sounding like I was losing my grip on reality?
“Now that’s my type of place,” Jeremy quipped with a grin as we slid into the car. His tone was light and cheerful, nothing like what it should be.
I couldn”t help but roll my eyes. Jeremy”s inability to read the room was almost comical—if it wasn”t so frustrating. Walter, striding ahead with a stern expression, was clearly simmering with barely contained anger.
“Lee, did you see that guy on the cross? Hot as hell, right?” Jeremy continued, oblivious to the growing irritation in the car.
Leon merely shrugged his silence, a stark contrast to Jeremy”s casual demeanor. Jeremy’s gaze shifted towards me. “You better watch out, Talon. That demon seemed quite interested in you. Can’t imagine why. I’d give him a much better—”
His words were cut off by a roar that erupted from deep within me. The visceral reaction even surprised me. It was the same intense feeling that flared whenever he mentioned Lucas. What the heck was going on with me?
I took a deep, steadying breath, trying to regain my composure. “This isn’t a joke, Jeremy,” I said, my voice low and strained through clenched teeth.
“Talon is right,” Walter chimed in, his gaze sharp as he glanced in my direction. “We must be vigilant. Demons are dangerous, not playthings.”
He paused for a moment, then added, his voice laced with a warning, “And Jeremy, you”re not wrong. That demon… he had a certain interest in Talon. Stay alert and watch your back.”
“I will,” I promised.
“I’m serious, Talon. The demon wasn’t the only one interested. I saw how you looked at him. Stay alert.”
Walter’s words hung in the air, adding to the weight of confusion and unease already pressing down on me. The rest of the ride back was steeped in a tense silence. I stared blankly out the window. The city lights blurred into streaks of color as we drove. The more I thought about Dominic”s challenging smirk and Lucas”s earlier hurt expression, the more a gnawing sense of frustration grew within me.
Was there something I was missing? Some hidden truth about mates that had eluded me all this time? The thought nagged at me, an unsolvable puzzle that seemed to mock my inability to understand the workings of my own heart–or the instincts of my lion.
As the car pulled into the driveway of the pride house, a sense of dread settled in. I knew I had to face Lucas again, and the thought filled me with a confusing mix of anticipation and apprehension. How could I confront him when I didn”t even understand what was happening within myself?
Exiting the car, I trailed behind Walter and the others, my mind racing. Carl, ever-present at the door, welcomed us with his usual stoicism.
“Mr. Doy. The king awaits you in the study,” Carl informed us, his voice steady.
“Have all the guests departed?” Walter inquired.
Carl nodded. “Yes, sir. Only the king and his consort remain.”
A wave of mixed emotions washed over me at the news of Lucas” departure. Part of me ached to see him, yet another part was relieved at the reprieve.
“Thank you, Carl,” Walter responded, then turned to Jeremy and Leon. “You two are dismissed. Relax. Talon, you”re with me.”
I nodded and followed through the pride house down the ornate hallway. My heart pounded as I entered the study. The king and the king’s consort, Lucas’s brother, Brian, were cuddled on the loveseat.
The king straightened as Walter bowed his head respectfully. I quickly followed his lead.
“Walter, how did it go? Is he going to continue to harass Mike and Jake?” King Edward asked.
Walter sighed. “It was an interesting meeting, sire. He said he was messing with Mike and Jake because he was, and I quote, “bored”.
“Wait, he threatened Mike because he was bored?” Brian said, sitting up.
“Yes. He definitely has an odd personality.”
“Will he stay away from the pride?” the king asked, and I internally cringed. I knew what was coming next.
Walter glanced at me before saying. “He agreed to leave Mike and Jake alone but not to stay away from the pride… he has a new target.”
“What? Who?” Edward growled. I felt his kingly power ripple through the room.
“He appeared rather interested in Talon,” Walter answered.
The king’s brow furrowed, and he stared at me. “Talon? Why would he want to hurt Talon?”
Walter cleared his throat, and I shifted from foot to foot. “He doesn’t want to hurt him…. Or maybe he does. It was more sexual undertones than anything.”
“What?” Brian was the one to shout now. “Why would he think there was a possibility? Did you feel the same? What about my brother?”
I took a step back, and my eyes widened. The accusatory tone was one I’d only experienced when I was younger. “I…”
“Are you my brother’s mate? Why haven’t you talked to him?” Brian continued to his barrage of questions.
“Bunny, easy. You said you wouldn’t get involved,” Edward tried to soothe.
Brian scowled at his mate. “This has to do with my brother, Edward. And he’s playing with his heart.”
“I’m not playing with anything,” I said, finding my voice.
Brian spun back toward me. “Then what the hell is going on? Is my brother your mate or not?”
“I don’t know,” I all but shouted. “I haven’t talked to him because I don’t know. All you mated couples say your lion will tell you, and you’ll know. Well, mine knows jack shit. I like Lucas, but I don’t know if he’s my mate.”
Everyone stared at me with their mouths hung open. It was the first time I admitted even liking Lucas, let alone the possibility of us being mates. I should’ve known they’d notice the attraction between us.
Brian shook his head and took a deep breath. “You need to stay away from my brother until you can get your feelings in check. Am I clear?”
This wasn’t just a brother defending his family. Brian’s words were spoken with the authority of the King’s consort. I bowed my head even though my lion roared within me.
“I’ll stay away.”
Brian jerked a nod and stormed from the room. A loud sigh echoed in the room, and I turned to look at my king.
“Sorry about that, Talon. Brian is protective of his brother. Lucas didn’t freak out when meeting me like the rest of his family. You were there,” the king explained.
“I know. I wish I could tell him otherwise,” I said softly.
“I wish you could too. Is your lion telling you anything?” he asked.
I shook my head.
“What about the demon? Is he saying anything about him?”
I didn’t reply right away. Did I tell him I and my lion had the same reaction to both of them? I shook my head. I needed to figure things out myself first.
“Okay, watch your back regarding the demon. Who knows what he’s going to do.” Edward let out another sigh. “If you need to talk about what is happening with Lucas, I’m here.”
“Thank you, sir. I…. I just need to deal with this on my own. I’ll do as the consort asked and stay away.” I bowed my head and left the room.
I needed to get away. My lion was going nuts. He didn’t want to stay away from either Dominic or Lucas. He wanted to be around them both.
“Oh, shut up. Until you can tell me which one is our mate for sure, we’re staying away. Damn it!” I yelled internally at my lion, and he answered with a roar.
“Are they our mates?” I whispered—silence was my only reply.
Fuck!