Chapter Two
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A SOFT THUDDING NOISE drew Craeg’s attention. Continuing to float on his back, he peered around the cavern, but all he saw in the dim light were rocks and boulders. If one of them had fallen, it would have made a much sharper sound.
So what made the noise?
While Craeg had never considered himself a particularly curious person, for some reason, he really wanted to discover the source of the noise.
He suddenly worried that someone was watching them.
With the need to be certain they weren’t being spied on by some unknowing human driving him, Craeg started swimming toward the shore.
It only took a few strokes. The pool wasn’t all that big.
“Hey,” Seri called softly. “Where’re you going?” The orca shifter snorted, clearly amused, before asking, “Are you really going to explore the cave barefoot and nude?”
While most shifters didn’t give a rip about nudity, even Craeg didn’t care for rocks digging into his feet.
“I’m not goin’ far,” Craeg claimed, easing out of the water. “I just...I thought I heard somethin’.”
Seri’s brows furrowed as a worried expression crossed his face. “You think someone’s in here with us?”
“Probably not, but—” Craeg paused as the air current brought an interesting scent to his attention. Inhaling deeply, he took in the sort of musty, dirty, yet masculine aroma. “There’s somethin’...”
Craeg allowed his voice to trail away as he felt his body respond to another whiff of the unfamiliar scent. His stomach tightened, and blood rushed south. His prick began to plump, shocking the hell out of him.
“What the hell?” Craeg whispered, glancing over his shoulder at Seri. “Uh.”
Seri remained in the water. His eyebrows had shot up nearly to his blond hairline as he noticed Craeg’s bourgeoning problem. The orca shifter opened his mouth, then snapped it shut just as quickly, tearing his attention up to meet Craeg’s eyes.
Clearing his throat, Craeg turned his ass to his fellow shifter. He rubbed the back of his neck, unease filling him, and he fought down his embarrassment. Just because most shifters didn’t care about nudity due to needing it to shift, that didn’t extend to arousal.
“Uh, sorry,” Craeg muttered, glancing around absently.
“You said you smelled something,” Seri pointed out softly. “Better figure out what it was if it has that effect on you.”
Craeg snapped his attention back to Seri as what the other shifter was insinuating hit him. “Ya doona think?”
Seri shrugged, easing closer. “Couldn’t tell you, but all I smell is dirt and maybe animal musk, so—” He shrugged as he rested his forearms on a rocky ledge.
Animal musk?
Turning away from Seri, Craeg peered around, trying to figure out where the slight air current was coming from. He spotted a possible crack halfway up the rock wall to his left and headed in that direction. As Craeg drew closer, more of the oddly pleasant musky aroma teased his senses.
Craeg lost any semblance of embarrassment as hope flooded him. Could his mate be nearby? Was he hiding in the caverns somewhere?
Squinting into the dark recesses of the crack in the wall, Craeg searched for any hint of a way through. He hated the idea of needing to go get clothes. Unfortunately, the thought of scraping his bare willie sure didn’t appeal either.
Just as Craeg felt the first rise of frustration, a small lump at the bottom of the narrow tunnel caught his attention. He eased his head partway into the widest section of the crack. It took him a few seconds to figure out what he was looking at.
Huh. It’s a bat.
Carefully, Craeg reached in, watching the steady rise and fall of the critter’s chest. He gently slipped his fingers under the prone body. As Craeg drew the creature out, it filled his palm, and he realized it was actually a pretty decent-sized bat.
“What do you have there?” Seri called from behind him.
“A bat,” Craeg replied absently.
“A bat?” Seri mused, letting out a hum. “That makes sense, us being in a cave system and all.”
Craeg couldn’t resist bringing the small animal close to his nose. As he scented the bat, a fresh wave of arousal washed over his body. A shiver of excitement hit him as Craeg turned and began making his way back to Seri, holding the bat close to his chest.
“Holy shite,” Craeg mumbled, processing the rush. “The bat’s a shifter.” Meeting his friend’s gaze, Craeg grinned as he declared, “And he’s my mate.”
“Well, damn, man.” Seri returned his broad grin. “Congrats, Craeg. That’s fantastic.” Then he sobered and cocked his head. “I wonder what the hell he’s doing in here.”
Craeg shrugged as he settled with his ass and legs in a shallow section of the pool.
“Maybe he likes spelunkin’.” Resting his forearms on the rocky ledge, Craeg continued to cradle the bat in one palm while gently petting his side with the pointer finger of his other hand.
“We were interested in a possible new cave, so why wouldn’t he be? ”
“Maybe.” Seri slipped into the water and began floating on his back. “Well, it’s not like we can take him out of that tunnel. It’s underwater.” He waved a wet hand in the bat’s direction. “Do you want me to go fetch Doc Anthony?”
Craeg yanked his attention away from his mate and scowled at Seri. “Why?”
Looking at him in confusion, Seri glanced toward the bat again. “Uh, because he’s unconscious?”
Wincing at his own stupidity, Craeg nodded. “Uh, aye. Right. Yeah. That’d be great.” He grimaced as he muttered, “Shoulda thought of that.”
Seri chuckled. “You’re just in shock because you found your mate.” Before slipping under the water, his friend promised, “Back in a jiff.”
“Thanks,” Craeg muttered, his attention returning to the bat.
Craeg settled in to wait for his mate to wake. Anticipation, excitement, and wonder filled him in equal measure.
I finally found my mate.
I wonder what he’s like.
Smiling, Craeg gently petted the bat some more, eager to find out everything about the man he held.
* * * *
SLOWLY, SILAS BEGAN to rouse. His head hurt a little, as did his right wing, but that pain seemed to be countered by something else. A couple of somethings, actually.
First, there was a scent surrounding him that was wonderfully distracting. It smelled masculine with a hint of fresh, salty sea air. Turning his head, he hummed appreciatively as he inhaled more of the aroma.
Second, the soft stroking to the fur of his torso felt fantastic. The fingers were gentle and light, massaging him. There was just the hint of fingernails, creating a blissful bite of stimulation.
No one had ever petted Silas’s bat’s fur before, and he really, really liked it.
Wait.
That realization finally had a little sense returning to Silas’s brain.
Someone’s petting my bat?
Alarm surged through him, and Silas snapped open his eyes as he jolted.
“Easy, my pretty bat.” A deep voice that Silas vaguely recognized rumbled the softly spoken words. “You’re okay, my mate. You’re safe.”
Even as Silas scrambled away from whoever spoke, his movements began to slow. When the terrain beneath his claws and wing joints dipped suddenly, he lost his balance and began to topple. To Silas’s surprise, something pressed against his side, steadying him.
“Careful, little bat,” the stranger murmured. “Did ya hit your head in the tunnel?” He once again began to rub over Silas’s fur in a way that felt really soothing. “Ya seem a wee bit unsteady on your claws.”
Resting his wing’s thumb on the guy’s finger, Silas paused and looked up at the man. He saw the guy’s soft smile nearly hidden by his reddish-brown beard. There was a warmth in his deep green eyes that Silas didn’t understand.
Silas let out a soft questioning chitter, more to himself than to the guy.
Still, that seemed to please the man, for he grinned, showing off even white teeth. “I doona understand bat chitters, sweets,” he claimed.
Wait, does that mean this guy knows that I’m more than an animal, too?
But how?
Then the stranger told him, “My name’s Craeg, sweets.
” With an eyebrow waggle, he stated, “Maybe I can convince ya to shift? That way I can learn your name, too?” His expression grew to one of concern as he added, “And ya can tell me if ya hurt anywhere. Ya were unconscious when I found ya, after all.”
Silas was so entranced by the pleasant-sounding cadence of Craeg’s voice that it took him a few seconds to realize what he was asking for.
When he registered the fact that the man was answering his silent question, that he did indeed know that Silas could change into a human, and that he wanted him to do it right there in front of him, Silas squeaked in surprise.
At the same time, he backed up a step as wariness and uncertainty filled him.
“Please, sweets?” Then perhaps Craeg noticed Silas’s reaction, for he crooned, “Hey, easy, pretty bat.” His expression creased with concern. “I promise you’re safe. I’d never let anythin’ happen to ya, my mate.”
Swiftly weighing the pros and cons, Silas decided to take a chance. He’d never met a person who could turn into an animal like he could. Perhaps he could get some answers about it.
Plus, Craeg really did smell wonderful, and he talked so nicely. If he was going to hurt him or yell at him, surely he would’ve done it while he was unconscious and defenseless.
Right?
With those hopeful thoughts in mind, Silas took a deep breath. He focused on his human form. It took a moment to recall fingers and toes, arms and legs, and a head that didn’t have pointed ears and fur.
Finally, Silas felt his transformation begin. He breathed through the painful experience as his muscles popped and tendons twisted. His bones felt as if they cracked and reformed, and maybe they were.
What do I know about it?
Finally, Silas felt the pain begin to ebb. He breathed slow and deep, helping to ease the pounding of the blood rushing through his ears. His nostrils filled with Craeg’s fantastically masculine smell, and he inhaled deeply.
That was when Silas realized a few things.
First off, Silas was half-sprawled over the other man, who, at some point during his change, had reclined onto his back and pulled him close.
His face was now tucked against Craeg’s neck.
The man was also rubbing his back and crooning words of encouragement, telling him to breathe and relax and everything would be all right.
Next, the way the guy smelled was heating him in a completely unfamiliar way. His stomach had butterflies bumping within, and his groin was tingling. Even his penis was beginning to plump.
Silas knew about attraction and arousal and sex. He hadn’t fled to the caves until after puberty. Except, he’d never experienced it quite like this, and he didn’t know how to process the sensations.
Finally, Silas was naked. That meant surely the big man holding him and soothing him could feel his...feel where he was pressed against his hip.
Oh, crapola.
Jerking away, Silas scurried backward. He pressed his back against the stone wall, drawing his knees up to his chest. Wrapping his arms around his legs, Silas crossed his ankles and did his best to hide as much of his exposed private areas as possible.
“Whoa, whoa, sweetheart.” Craeg leaned up on his elbows and gave him a concerned look.
“It’s okay. You’re safe, remember?” Looking him over, he furrowed his brows in obvious confusion.
“Are ya, uh, concerned about showin’ your arousal?
” Craeg’s smile turned wry as he glanced at his own groin.
“Ya doona have to be. I’m not. Not with you.
” Waving at the huge erection he sported, and wasn’t even trying to hide, the big bearded man scoffed.
“Shite, this is normal between mates. Ya have to know that. Nothin’ wrong with it. ”
Silas was having a hard time tearing his gaze away from the massive flagpole jutting from Craeg’s groin. His breath caught in his throat as he watched the thick length twitch. The foreskin had pulled halfway off the crown, revealing a wide slit, and a bead of pre-cum gleamed there.
For some weird reason, Silas actually felt his mouth water...as if he wanted to taste that pearl.
Swallowing hard, Silas managed to jerk his gaze up to Craeg’s face. A smile curved the man’s bearded lips. His green eyes gleamed with what Silas figured was heat.
Although, what the heck do I know?
That was when Craeg held out his hand, palm up.
“Come on, sweets,” he encouraged, wiggling his fingers.
“Come on back to me.” His eyes gleamed as he continued to smile at him.
“I really wanna hold ya while we talk about ourselves.” Clearing his throat, Craeg told him, “I’ve been waitin’ for my mate for over a hundred years.
Although I didna expect to meet ya so young, I still wish to hold ya so damn bad. ”
Meeting Craeg’s gaze, Silas admitted, “I don’t know what that means.”
Craeg’s fingers froze. His lips parted in obvious surprise. After a few seconds, he tipped his head to the side quizzically and asked, “Uh, w-which part?”
Considering Craeg didn’t appear upset—instead, he seemed to be just as confused as Silas felt—he admitted, “A-Any of it.” The big man blinked a few times as he slowly lowered his hand.
He clearly seemed to be trying to decide what to say.
Figuring it was his own turn to explain, Silas murmured, “I’ve never met anyone who can turn into an animal like I can before. ”
“Y-Ya haven’t?” Craeg whispered, his shock evident.
Nibbling his bottom lip, Silas shook his head.
“Damn,” Craeg muttered, thrusting his hand through his wet hair before stroking his beard. “Really?”
Silas shrugged. “No.”
Nodding slowly, his gaze going a little vacant as he peered around the chamber, Craeg whispered, “Okay then.” After clearing his throat, he met Silas’s gaze again.
Then he smiled and again held out his hand.
“Come here, my sweets,” he once more encouraged.
“We’ll get through this. I’ll explain everythin’.
” When Silas continued to hesitate, Craeg added, “I just wanna hold ya, my mate. That’s it.
Talk and explain and hold ya while I tell ya about our kind. ”
Uncertainty thrummed through Silas as he tried to decide what to do.
Really, though. There wasn’t much of a decision. If he wanted to know about his abilities, his kind, he needed to trust this man. After all, he really didn’t want to live the rest of his life as a bat.
He has the answers.
Right?