Chapter Two #2
Nico cleared his throat, but the man didn’t react. Nico had to step into his line of sight for him to do anything, and when he did, the man was startled so hard he almost dropped his coffee.
Nico raised his hands, hoping to show the man that he wasn’t dangerous. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you, but you look overwhelmed.”
The man snickered, but it didn’t sound happy. “That would be because I am.” He turned and put his coffee on the hood of his car, then rubbed his face with both of his hands. “I’m fine.”
“Are you sure? I could call someone for you.”
“The people you could call shouldn’t be called right now, but I promise I’ll be okay.”
That statement was intriguing. “You also look like you want to talk.” Nico really should be going home. He was in Northwood because he had a few errands to run, but he was sure that his father would find him something to do when he got home. He was enjoying the tiny bit of freedom.
He loved his father, and he’d known what he was doing when he’d agreed to take his brother’s place as the heir, but sometimes, he just needed a few hours to himself.
Things would’ve been more relaxed normally, but with Silas and everything else happening, Nico’s father was focused, and he expected Nico to be, too.
Nico usually was, but he also needed space to breathe, which was why today was for him. He didn’t think his father would mind.
The man hesitated, then grimaced. “Unfortunately, what happened today isn’t my secret to tell. It’s why I can’t talk to my family, either.”
“Then tell me something else.”
The man stared at Nico for a second before blurting out, “Did you know that men could get pregnant?”
Nico blinked. That wasn’t a statement he’d expected to hear in Northwood. Everyone here knew that men could get pregnant. They were told about carriers when they were children.
But this man didn’t look like he knew. There was something weird about that, mostly because it didn’t make sense. “Everyone in the forest knows about carriers,” Nico murmured.
“Well, I didn’t, probably because I’m not from here.”
Nico frowned. “You’re not part of the human team, though.” They usually wore uniforms, and this man didn’t.
“I’m not,” the man confirmed. He offered Nico his hand. “I’m sorry. My name is Mackenzie. My brother is on that team, and we recently found out that part of our family had been stuck in this forest since it was closed off.”
“You’re human,” Nico said as he shook Mackenzie’s hand.
“That obvious?”
Nico chuckled. “Well, you didn’t know about carriers, so a bit.”
“I suspect there’s a lot I don’t know about shifters.”
“Probably, but you said that part of your family lives here?”
“They do. Apparently, the fox alpha is my cousin.”
“Jerome?”
“I guess everyone knows the alphas. Yeah, him.”
Everyone did know the alphas, but in Nico’s case, it was different. He knew Jerome personally. His father worked with the man regularly, and so would Nico if his father retired before Jerome did.
But Nico didn’t tell any of that to Mackenzie.
He didn’t want the man to know that he was a future alpha.
He didn’t know how Mackenzie would react, but it was nice to be treated like any other person.
All of Nico’s life, he’d been treated differently, either because he was a carrier or because he was his father’s son.
Mackenzie was like a fresh start, and it was appealing, at least for one afternoon.
“My name’s Nico,” Nico said. “Welcome to the forest.” He’d heard about some humans being allowed in from his father, but he hadn’t realized he’d meet one of those humans.
He was intrigued. “How about I buy you a fresh coffee? I’m not sure how long you’d been standing there, but you look like you could use it. ”
“It’s fine.”
“What happened for you to find out about carriers, then?” Nico looked Mackenzie up and down. “Are you pregnant?”
Mackenzie’s cheeks turned red. “I most definitely am not.”
“Well, you could have carrier genes if you’re related to Jerome.”
“It’s a possibility, but I haven’t done anything that would get me pregnant, so I’m sure I don’t have any babies in the oven.”
Nico laughed. “That’s good.”
Mackenzie watched him for a moment before smiling. “You know what? I think I’ve changed my mind about that coffee. Do you have time to sit down with me?”
“I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t.” Nico was going to enjoy his moment of respite, and apparently, he’d enjoy it with Mackenzie.
The thought was exciting. Nico had been born in the forest. He hadn’t known any humans until that team sent by the government had arrived, and it wasn’t like he’d made friends with them.
He was curious, not only about humans in general, but also about Mackenzie.
Besides, the man looked like he could use a friend.
Nico had no idea why Mackenzie was here if he wasn’t part of the team, but maybe he was about to find out.
If anything, Nico’s father would be glad to know.
He always said that it was good to be aware of everything that happened in the forest, whether or not it involved the bobcats.
Nico was just following his father’s teachings.
That was what he’d tell his father if he asked why it had taken him so long to run a few errands.
As Nico followed Mackenzie toward the coffee shop, he could feel that something important was happening—or maybe he was fooling himself into thinking that.
Whatever the case, this was a moment just for him.
Right now, he wasn’t his father’s heir or a carrier.
To Mackenzie, he was just Nico, and that was how he wanted to keep things.
He didn’t even care what they talked about, although he’d be happy to explain shifters and carriers to Mackenzie.
No, the only thing he cared about was that Mackenzie only saw him as a guy, nothing more, nothing less.