Chapter Eight
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WHEN DEAN OPENED HIS front door, Mackenzie pushed past him and walked in. He didn’t pause, didn’t explain why he was there. He hoped Jasper wasn’t in the house, but if he was, he was about to be subjected to Mackenzie’s love life.
“Hello to you, too,” Dean said, his eyebrows shooting high on his forehead.
“I know who Nico is,” Mackenzie blurted out.
Dean’s expression changed to something more serious.
He closed the door, then gestured in the direction of the kitchen.
Mackenzie led the way, feeling so anxious he could scream.
He didn’t think that would endear him to Jasper, though.
His brother-in-law seemed to like him well enough, but Mackenzie wasn’t going to risk it.
“Jasper’s out,” Dean said when Mackenzie flopped on one of the chairs at the table. “Coffee?”
Mackenzie snorted. “I think the last thing I need right now is coffee.” He was glad Jasper wasn’t here.
He liked Jasper, and Jasper had been nothing but nice when they’d had dinner together, but things were slightly awkward.
Mackenzie didn’t know how to behave around Jasper, and it seemed that Jasper felt the same way.
It didn’t matter. Jasper was it for Dean, and that was good enough for Mackenzie.
As long as his brother was happy and safe, Mackenzie didn’t have anything to say.
He’d get to know Jasper in time. He wasn’t going anywhere, anyway.
Dean nodded and grabbed two bottles of water from the fridge. He placed one of them in front of Mackenzie, then slid into the chair on the other side of the table and waited.
Mackenzie rubbed his face. “I know who Nico is,” he repeated. “The alpha’s son. A future alpha himself.”
“And how does that make you feel?”
“You’re not my therapist.”
“I’m not asking as a therapist.”
“You sound like one.”
Dean raised his hands. “I’m just trying to be a good brother.”
“You already knew.”
“I know all the alphas and their heirs. It’s part of the job. I’ve met Nico briefly a few times, and he seems like a nice person.”
“He is.”
“So why are you panicking? Is it because he lied to you?”
Mackenzie had thought about it. Hell, he’d done nothing but think about it since he’d walked into Jerome’s house and seen Nico standing there with an older guy.
From the expression on Nico’s face, it had been obvious he was panicking, and when he’d shaken his head, Mackenzie had understood.
Nico didn’t want the two alphas to know that they knew each other.
It hurt, but Mackenzie would never do anything that would get Nico in trouble.
He understood Nico’s position better after Nico had finally talked to him, but he didn’t know what his position would be.
“If the two of us stay together, what will happen to me when he becomes alpha?” he asked his brother.
He was sure Dean knew. He was dating an alpha, after all.
“You’ll be the alpha mate.”
Mackenzie narrowed his eyes at him. “What does that mean?”
“From what I understand, it means something different for every group of shifters. Some of the mates work with the alpha when it comes to leading their people, and while they’re not the alpha, they play a big role.
Others don’t matter at all. That’s something you and Nico will have to work through once it happens. ”
Mackenzie groaned. “That doesn’t help me at all.”
“I wish I could say something that would reassure you, but does it matter? You like Nico, right? You want to be with him, no matter what and who he is?”
“Pretty much.”
“Then you’ll deal with whatever comes with him.
Right now, it’s probably going to be an overbearing father and a smart-mouthed brother.
You and Nico will have years to decide how you want things to work when he becomes alpha.
That means that you’ll have years to get used to living in the forest with shifters.
People will see you around. You won’t be a stranger anymore, so if you’re worried about how people will take you becoming alpha mate, I wouldn’t.
There’s no need to think about that right now.
I don’t know Nico’s father very well, but he doesn’t strike me as someone who’s already looking at retirement. ”
Mackenzie leaned back in his chair. He was still slightly panicky, but he forced himself to think about what Dean was saying because he was right, wasn’t he?
The alpha mate position wasn’t something Mackenzie needed to think about now.
Yes, he might become one, but there was no way to know when or what it would entail.
The only thing Mackenzie knew for sure was that it would take years, and his life would be very different when it happened.
Did it scare him? Yeah. Was it something he’d have to think about eventually? Yes, because he didn’t want him or Nico to be hurt. But if being the alpha mate wasn’t something he wanted, he’d have to let go of Nico sooner rather than later.
Was that something he could do? Was the fear of having authority over shifters—he didn’t even know what kind of authority—stronger than wanting Nico?
The thought of leaving him made Mackenzie’s heart ache. He didn’t want to do that. He didn’t want to lose Nico.
He guessed he had his answer, didn’t he?
Nico was worth a lot—everything—and if that meant that Mackenzie would eventually have to become the alpha mate, then so be it.
He’d make it work somehow. He and Nico would have years to define what both of them wanted from each other and what Mackenzie wanted from his position by Nico’s side.
Dean knocked his foot against Mackenzie’s, and when Mackenzie looked up, he grinned. “Hey, look at the bright side. You can’t get pregnant.”
Mackenzie laughed.
* * * *
NICO’S HANDS WERE SHAKING slightly as he parked in front of Mackenzie’s house. The drive over had been a blur during which Nico hadn’t been able to stop thinking about what Mackenzie had told him during their phone call.
The porch light was on, and before Nico could even get to the door, it opened. Mackenzie stood there, backlit by light from inside, and the expression on his face made Nico’s breath hitch.
“Hi,” Mackenzie said softly.
“Hi.” Nico climbed the steps, his heart pounding. “You’re sure about this?”
Instead of answering, Mackenzie reached for him, pulling him inside and into a kiss that erased every doubt Nico could have. The door closed behind them, and Nico let himself be dragged into Mackenzie’s arms and the promise of everything he’d been too afraid to hope he could have.
They made it to the bedroom, leaving a trail of clothes and shoes.
Mackenzie’s hands were warm against Nico’s skin as they touched, urgent but careful as if he was afraid to hurt him.
A lot of people treated Nico like he was something that could break at any moment, but when Mackenzie did it, Nico felt reverence rather than condescension.
“I’ve wanted this since we met,” Mackenzie murmured against Nico’s neck.
Nico shivered at the feeling of Mackenzie’s lips on his skin. “Me, too.” Nico grabbed the hem of Mackenzie’s shirt, pulling it up and over his head.
Mackenzie laughed softly, the sound turning into a gasp as Nico’s hands explored the newly revealed skin. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.” Nico kissed him again, slower this time, trying to communicate everything he felt through touch. “I’m scared, too, you know. Of messing this up. Of being too much. Of everything being too complicated.”
“You’re not too much.” Mackenzie cupped Nico’s face, making him meet his eyes. “You’re just enough.”
They fell onto the bed together, limbs tangled, and shared heated kisses. Nico had been with people before, but this felt different—it was different. Every touch felt like a promise, every kiss like a commitment.
Mackenzie pulled away, reaching for the nightstand drawer. “I have—we should—”
“Yes,” Nico agreed, understanding immediately.
He watched as Mackenzie took out lube and condoms. He was nervous, even though he knew there wasn’t a reason to be.
Besides, he wasn’t the only nervous one.
He noticed Mackenzie’s hands shaking as he fumbled with the wrapper, finally getting it open.
Nico watched him, his heart so full it felt like it might burst. This was real.
This was happening. Mackenzie wanted him, wanted this, wanted them.
“Come here,” Mackenzie said once he was ready, pulling Nico back into his arms.
Nico went eagerly, kissing Mackenzie as Mackenzie lowered him onto his back. Nico’s body was ready, but of course, Mackenzie wasn’t used to that. He took the lube, and Nico opened his legs for him, smiling when Mackenzie’s eyes grew wide at the sight.
“I’m a carrier,” Nico explained. “I’m ready for you.”
Mackenzie nodded, but he still reached out and gently pushed his fingers into Nico’s body.
Nico sighed in pleasure, closing his eyes and angling his face toward the ceiling.
It felt good, but he wanted more, so he was relieved when Mackenzie didn’t take too long.
It was still touching that he made sure that Nico really was ready for him.
Mackenzie eventually knelt between Nico’s legs, pushing them apart gently. Nico hooked his ankles behind Mackenzie’s back, pulling him closer.
The first press of Mackenzie’s cock inside Nico’s body made him moan. Mackenzie pushed in slowly, a long, steady movement that stole the air from Nico’s lungs. Nico made a choked sound as he was filled, but he still wanted more.
Mackenzie began to move, his thrusts building a delicious heat low in Nico’s belly.
Every thrust was a promise for more, and he wanted it.
Nico’s hands scrabbled to grab the sheets before Mackenzie caught one, linking their fingers together and pinning it beside Nico’s head.
Their palms pressed together, and Nico glanced at them.
The connection was more than physical, even through the pleasure.
“Mackenzie,” Nico moaned, digging the fingers of his free hand into the muscle of Mackenzie’s back. “Harder. Please.”
Mackenzie’s thrusts became more urgent, his rhythm turning more intense. He leaned down, his mouth finding Nico’s neck. He sucked on the skin there, soothing the spot with his tongue before his teeth found it again. It made Nico cry out and cling to him harder.
They moved together. The smell of sex filled the air, and Nico could hear the slick, wet sound of their bodies. It drove him wild.
Mackenzie shifted his angle slightly, and Nico saw stars. His back arched off the bed, a broken sob tearing from his throat. “There!”
That was it. The pleasure building in Nico’s stomach reached its peak. His release ripped through him, his body shaking as hot stripes painted his stomach and chest. Mackenzie groaned and buried himself in Nico one last time. Nico felt him pulse inside of him.
They collapsed together, a tangled heap of trembling arms and legs and harsh breathing.
Mackenzie shifted his weight to the side but stayed buried inside Nico for a moment longer, for which Nico was grateful.
He wasn’t yet ready to break their connection.
He nuzzled into Mackenzie’s neck, placing a soft kiss there.
After a long moment, Mackenzie pulled out of Nico. He tied off the condom and tossed it toward the wastebasket by the bed, missing. It landed on the floor near their discarded clothes, but Nico didn’t care as he snuggled against his boyfriend like he belonged there.
Mackenzie’s fingers traced lazy patterns on Nico’s back, and Nico pressed his face against Mackenzie’s shoulder, overwhelmed by everything he was feeling.
“That was...” Mackenzie started, then laughed. “I don’t have words.”
“Perfect,” Nico offered. “It was perfect.”
“Yeah.” Mackenzie’s arms tightened around him. “It really was.”
They hadn’t cleaned up, which meant they were still sticky with sweat and Nico’s release, and they’d probably regret it in the morning, but Nico didn’t care about any of that right now. He curled against Mackenzie’s side, feeling safe and content in a way he’d never experienced before.
“I can’t believe this is real,” Nico murmured.
“What part? Us?”
“All of it. You, this, the fact that you want me despite everything.” Nico tilted his head to look up at Mackenzie. “The complications, my father’s expectations, the fact that I’ll be alpha someday—”
“I want all of it,” Mackenzie interrupted, his voice gentle but firm. “I want you, which means I want your future, your responsibilities, everything. We’ll figure it out as we go.”
“Even the scary parts?”
“Especially the scary parts.” Mackenzie pressed a kiss to Nico’s forehead. “We’re in this together now.”
Nico closed his eyes, letting the words wash over him.
Together. They were together, and whatever lay ahead, they’d face everything side by side.
Their secret relationship, telling their families, the future when Nico would take his father’s place—none of it felt as overwhelming when he was in Mackenzie’s arms.
“Stay tonight?” Mackenzie asked quietly.
“I shouldn’t,” Nico said, even as he made no move to leave. “People will notice if I’m not home.”
“Chris will cover for you. He always does.”
That was true. His twin had been helping for weeks now, making excuses whenever their parents asked where Nico was.
Everyone thought he’d been spending a lot of time with his brother in badger territory.
“One night,” Nico agreed. “Just this once.” He desperately wanted more, but for now, this was all they could have, and it would have to be enough.
Mackenzie chuckled. “We both know it won’t be just once.”
He was right. Now that they’d crossed this line and that Nico knew what it felt like to fall asleep in Mackenzie’s arms, he knew he’d find every excuse to do it again, and Mackenzie would support him because he wanted it as much as Nico.
“Stay with me,” Mackenzie whispered, already half-asleep.
“Always,” Nico promised, and he meant it.