Chapter Six #2
He looked around the small sitting room Gal had offered when Ben had mentioned his family visiting.
They could have used the bedroom Ben shared with Taylor, but it was small, even though it had a sitting area where they often spent time with Taylor’s friends.
This would be more comfortable. Ben didn’t want Taylor to feel like they were invading his privacy, even though only his parents were coming.
Ben had spent a few hours cleaning up the place yesterday.
Now that he was back with the groceries, he had more things to do.
He needed to stop worrying over what his parents would do or say and start setting everything up.
He wanted them to see that this was a nice place and that he belonged here.
He needed them to know that he’d be safe, even if he didn’t go home with them.
He and Taylor weren’t bonded yet, which he knew would give his mother pause, but he was sure she’d get over it.
Besides, it wasn’t like she would drag him out of the house.
She wouldn’t be able to do that even if she wanted to, but it wasn’t the kind of person she was, anyway.
But after everything that had happened, it would make sense for her to wish to keep him close. Ben would have to find a balance between that and staying here with Taylor and the pride.
“Everything okay?” Taylor asked from the open door.
Ben blinked and turned to look at him. He was handsome, like always. It wasn’t the most important thing about him, though. Ben knew how lucky he’d been. He’d met his mate at exactly the right time, and Taylor couldn’t be more perfect.
“I’m fine,” he promised.
“Still worried?”
“I think I’ll worry until they’re here. I don’t know if they’ll understand why I didn’t go home when I escaped.”
“Not even when you explain it to them?”
“I’m going to, but I’m not making any promises.”
“As long as they don’t try to take you from me, it’s fine.”
It was still stunning to hear Taylor say something like that. Just a few weeks ago, he hadn’t known if he could ever be with Ben. Ben had told himself not to hope, but of course he had. Taylor was his mate, and that meant they belonged together.
Or at least, it should.
Ben knew he’d be more worried about that if he wasn’t focused on seeing his family again and giving them an explanation they would accept.
He didn’t think Taylor would leave him, though.
Not only had Taylor been there every step of the way, but he’d made Ben a promise, and Ben trusted him to keep it.
Taylor wasn’t going anywhere, no matter how confused he was.
“I think they’re going to try to convince me to go home with them,” Ben confessed.
Taylor moved closer. He didn’t touch Ben, but he didn’t need to. Ben could feel his presence anyway. He wanted to lean against his mate, but he told himself to wait and see what Taylor would do next. He never wanted to push Taylor into something he didn’t want or wasn’t ready for.
“It would make sense for you to go,” Taylor said softly. “You’re probably yearning for something familiar right now. Besides, you know that they love you and will keep you safe, and I’m sure you miss them.”
“All those things are true, but I’m not leaving you.”
“I could come with you.”
Taylor’s voice was even quieter now. Ben knew that he wasn’t lying. If Ben wanted to leave, Taylor wouldn’t try to stop him. Instead, he’d go with him, leaving his family and his job behind. He’d do it because it was what Ben wanted—maybe what he needed.
But what Ben really wanted was to be with his mate.
He was still scared that Jimmy wasn’t actually dead and that he’d find him, but if he did, the pride would keep Ben safe.
Even if they didn’t do it for him, they’d do it for Taylor.
He was one of them. He’d been born here and had been a pride member all his life.
They’d protect his mate, and they were better equipped to do so than Ben’s family.
The pride had fighters, and the house was better protected than Ben’s parents’ house could ever be.
Ben didn’t have to worry about being safe here. He knew he was.
“I’m not going to ask you to do that,” he said, turning to face his mate.
“You’re not asking,” Taylor pointed out. “I’m offering.”
“We both know that you don’t want to leave.”
“It doesn’t mean I won’t do it for you. You’re the only person who’d be able to convince me to leave the pride.”
“Well, I’m not going to. This is our home.”
Taylor’s lips curled into a smile. “Yours, too?”
“Yes.” It might not feel like it yet, but that would change. Ben wouldn’t accept any other outcome.
When Taylor reached for Ben, Ben went easily. He wanted to be in his mate’s arms. He had things to do and snacks to lay out, but this was more important. He and Taylor were still finding their way to each other, and Taylor would always be Ben’s priority.
“Soon, we’re going to talk about bonding,” Taylor murmured, his voice muffled because of the way he was pressing his lips against Ben’s hair. “And one day, we’ll both be ready for it. I can’t wait.”
Ben’s heart raced. Never in a million years could he have imagined Taylor offering that.
Considering the way Taylor had taken the revelation of Ben being his mate, Ben had thought it would take a lot more time.
Taylor wasn’t saying that he was ready to bond yet, but he was hinting at the fact that he would be soon, and Ben couldn’t wait. He wasn’t going to say no.
He wasn’t an idiot.
Someone cleared her throat, causing Ben to jump. Taylor didn’t react as strongly, but he tightened his arms around Ben and turned toward the door.
Jacob stood there, grinning like a fool. “Sorry to bother you.”
“You’re not sorry,” Taylor accused.
“Not at all. But, Ben, your parents are here.”
For a moment, everything stopped. Ben sucked in a breath.
His parents were here. For the first time in months, he was going to see them, and he’d never lose them again.
He couldn’t even imagine what they’d gone through.
He felt guilty about not contacting them to tell them that he was okay, but at the same time, he was glad he hadn’t.
He’d kept them safe the only way he could have—by staying away—and he didn’t regret it. He just hoped they’d understand.
Ben’s mother pushed Jacob aside as she burst into the room. She looked around for a few seconds, then her gaze stopped on Ben. She gasped and brought a hand to her mouth. Tears were already rolling down her cheeks when she launched herself forward, clearly trusting Ben to catch her.
Taylor had to scramble out of the way, but he didn’t seem to mind. He was smiling widely as he watched Ben and his mother reunite.
Ben wrapped his arms around his mom. She was shorter than him, which was something she’d always jokingly complained about. Right now, it meant that she could bury her face against Ben’s chest and cry, though, so he thought she was okay with it.
Strong arms wrapped around both of them. Ben closed his eyes and leaned into his father. He was here, too. Of course he was.
“We thought you were gone,” Ben’s father said.
Ben’s mother shook her head, but she didn’t look up. “I never believed that you were dead,” she promised. “I knew you were out here somewhere, and I was right.”
“You were,” Ben confirmed. “And I’m okay. I promise that I’m okay.”
She leaned back a little so she could look at him. “I’ll be the judge of that. Are you ready to tell us what happened to you? You were gone for too long.”
“I’ll tell you everything.” He glanced at Taylor, who was still standing there. There were no signs of Jacob, thankfully. Ben liked the guy, but he wanted to be alone with his parents right now. Well, with them and Taylor. He was family, too.
“But first, let me introduce you to someone,” he continued, gently extracting himself from his parents’ arms and gesturing at Taylor. “Taylor, these are my parents, Anthony and Sylvia. Mom, Dad, this is Taylor, my mate.”
* * * *
AND JUST LIKE THAT, Taylor had been thrown to the wolves.
He’d thought he’d stay out of the way and give Ben and his parents time and space to reunite without having to deal with him, but he’d been thwarted by Jacob showing them where to find Ben.
Now, he was at the center of everyone’s attention, and he had to resist the urge to flee.
He wanted to be there for his mate. Ben needed him, but even more than that, there was no reason for him to run. It still wasn’t easy to be under the spotlight like this and have Ben’s parents both look at him as if he’d suddenly grown a second head.
He hadn’t. He was just their son’s mate.
“Your mate?” Ben’s mother asked.
“My mate,” Ben confirmed. “We met a few weeks ago. He and his pride have been keeping me safe.”
Sylvia frowned. “So you have something to be kept safe from. What’s going on, Ben? What happened to you? Where were you all this time?”
Ben sighed. Taylor knew that he didn’t want to talk about his time with Jimmy, but they’d expected Ben’s parents to have questions. Anyone would.
“Why don’t we sit down?” Taylor suggested, taking the heat off his mate for a few moments. He gestured at the couches and armchairs. “I can get you something to drink and eat. We bought snacks.”
Sylvia waved Taylor’s words away. “I’m not hungry. What happened to you, Ben?” she asked again, her attention fully on her son.
Taylor wasn’t offended that he was being dismissed. He wouldn’t have expected anything else from a mother who hadn’t known that her son was alive for months.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Taylor,” Anthony said, offering Taylor his hand.