Chapter 29
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
DAX
Things were starting to feel a little awkward between him and Mateo.
Not only were his instincts getting worse, causing him to have to pause before every interaction with his mate so he didn’t say or do something insane, but also because Mateo seemed…
off. Like he was purposely making himself uncomfortable just to prove a point.
The only problem was, Dax couldn’t figure out what point he was trying to make.
Maybe if he knew, he’d be able to reassure his mate in some way. Anything to make the awkwardness end.
He thought about not joining the lunch with Mateo and his roommates since it really wasn’t his place, but the idea of sending an already exhausted and stressed out Mateo to a lunch that included Taron Cunningham alone made his instincts writhe unhappily.
He couldn’t make himself stay at the office and found himself stepping up beside Mateo as they gathered with the rest of the roommates in the lobby to wait for Taron.
He didn’t miss the way Owen moved as far as he could get from Mateo, nor did he miss the twitch in Mateo’s eye as he noticed it as well.
Those two needed to talk out their issues if they were going to continue to live with each other.
It wasn’t like Owen had knocked over the eggs on purpose.
He’d just hit a button on an already stressed out Mateo that caused him to lose his cool and lash out.
Apologies on both sides would go a long way in making the situation better.
He remembered the many, many, many fights between his siblings being just as awkward and tension-filled when he was younger.
Someone had to be the bigger person and apologize first or the tension would never end.
“Oh, good. Everyone else is here,” Taron said as he finally joined them, a scowling Louis behind him with a familiar project manager leading him with a hand on his shoulder.
Dax grinned and waved at Arthur. The man had decided Louis was one of his ducklings a little while back and poor Louis hadn’t figured out yet that the only way to get the lion shifter to back off was to take better care of himself.
Dax had been on Arthur’s team for a few years now, and he was mean enough to call Rovan if he skipped out on self care.
The man was a menace when it came to taking care of anyone he considered ‘his’ and his team definitely counted. Apparently, so did Louis.
“Since there are food preferences to account for, I decided we’re all going to the food truck court a few blocks from here,” Taron announced. “My mates are already there, saving a table big enough for all of us. Let’s get going, people. I’m starving.”
Dax fell into step with Mateo, relieved when Mateo took his hand like he usually did. He was starting to think he needed to come clean about the whole mate thing sooner rather than later. He kept waiting for the right time, but maybe if he told him, some of the awkward tension would go away?
Or maybe he’d make things worse since Mateo was obviously still struggling.
What were the chances Mateo noticed their bond yet?
He’d done some research on his own about human mate bonds, but there wasn’t much out there.
There honestly wasn’t much at all about mate bonds in general, and a good half of it was anecdotal instead of actual scientific research. Why was that?
“Is everything okay?”
Mateo’s uncertain voice drew his attention, and he turned to his mate, flashing him a bright smile.
“Yep. I’m just thinking about some research I was doing earlier.
There isn’t as much information as I’d hoped, or any at all really.
” Which was about as much as he was willing to reveal until he was sure it was the right time to talk to Mateo about their bond.
Luckily, Mateo didn’t seem bothered by that. He wasn’t a researcher so unanswered questions likely didn’t drive him as insane as they did for Dax. He kept his focus on the busy sidewalks, following behind Taron as he led the way like a tour guide.
“Have you checked the archives in the library?” Louis asked.
Louis was almost always thinking about his work and didn't participate in chit chat if he could help it, but apparently Dax mentioning research actually caught his attention. Dax turned to look over his shoulder at his fellow researcher, pursing his lips thoughtfully. “I looked at Spellbound’s archives, but I don’t have clearance for the government archives. I’ve never needed it.”
Louis shook his head. “Neither have I. But I use my old university archives if I have a question I can’t find the answer to at Spellbound. They’ve got special clearance for alumni.”
Dax felt his mood lift significantly. “I hadn’t thought of that. Thanks, Louis!”
Louis grumbled out a quiet ‘you’re welcome’ when Arthur elbowed him in the side, and Dax went poking around on his phone about how to access his old alma mater’s archives as an alumni while they made the journey to the food truck park.
Mateo had to take over steering him through the crowd, since using his phone and walking was a questionable decision, but they made the journey without any injury, and Dax had several links to look at by the time they arrived at their destination.
The park itself was basically a semi-circle of food trucks of all different types around a covered area with tables and chairs.
From what Dax had been told by his favorite food truck owner, you had to get a spot early or you’d never have a chance to park there, which was why his favorite food truck was rarely in the park.
The man preferred his sleep over fighting for spots in the food truck park.
Though, today, he must’ve gotten lucky because the familiar scent of fried chicken made both him and Mateo groan and turn their heads to where the best food truck in the city sat nearby.
He grinned at his mate, getting an easy smile in return that settled the tension in his chest a little.
“Everyone get your food and meet us at the table where my gorgeous mate is holding down the fort,” Taron called, shooing them all along.
It was a smart move with such a large group to come here, since not everyone might want to eat the same thing.
He was pretty sure fae were vegetarians too, so Nylian wouldn’t have liked the fried chicken that he and Mateo headed for.
Lines moved pretty quick, and eventually they were all seated at a long table with Taron holding court in the middle of them all, three different food types on his plate that he must’ve split with his mates to get that kind of variety.
Dax watched on with a little envy. He hadn’t thought of that.
Maybe next time he and Mateo could pick more than one option and share.
He wasn’t sure what part of that image he liked better: the variety for lunch or the novelty of sharing a plate with his mate.
He really needed to get a grip. His instincts were making every little thing seem like a big deal now. The idea of splitting a meal with his mate should not be making him feel as fluttery as it was.
Next to Taron’s other side sat Kaz, with a big portion of barbecue ribs on his plate and a napkin tucked carefully under his chin.
Dax and Mateo sat across from the shapeshifter, with Louis next to Mateo, Arthur across from him next to Kaz, and Nylian and Owen on his other side, Owen still as far as he could get from Mateo as possible.
Once everyone started eating, Taron finally drew the attention of the group. “Alright. We hadn’t managed to have a productive conversation last time, so hopefully this time will be better. We’ll start with the basics. Are there any complaints about the condo itself?”
Everyone shook their heads, which Dax expected.
The condo was great, aside from the tubs not being magicked to maintain temperature throughout the night.
It wasn’t until he was in the shower the following morning that he realized he couldn’t sleep with Mateo in the water anyway.
He wasn’t built for something like that and Dax didn’t want him to get hurt just because he liked the water.
“It’s been a few weeks now. Have there been any issues? Points of conflict?” Taron prodded.
Dax could feel Mateo shrink as Taron’s gaze swung his way.
Protective instincts had his mouth running away from him the longer Taron stared at his poor mate, giving Mateo a break by answering for him.
“When he first moved in, Mateo hadn’t been aware that he was such a light sleeper.
We had a silencing ward put in, and he sleeps a lot better now.
That’s why he was so exhausted the other week. ”
Taron tipped his head thoughtfully. “Huh. You know, I never thought about that. Maybe I should have that installed on all the rooms. Not just for sleep, but for privacy too.” He cast a glance at Tony, who was already typing things into his phone and smiled softly.
Turning his attention back to the group, he nodded once.
“Okay, what else?” When no one spoke up, he prodded a little more.
“Come on, I know there has to be more. I’m mated, and there are still things that bug me about living with my mates.
Like Zeph locking the door when he’s showering–”
“Taron,” Taron’s other mate, Zephyr, interrupted with a scowl. “That’s not appropriate for this conversation.”
Taron just looked at him with big innocent eyes. “What? It’s true. It drives me nuts. Especially when Tony and I both need to get clean, too. You’re just being selfish, locking us both out.”
“You can wait your own turn to use the shower,” Zephyr growled. “And you don’t want access just to get clean, don’t pretend otherwise. Sometimes I like my privacy.”
Taron’s mouth fell open, seeming almost offended by the suggestion. “You need privacy from your own mates? What for?”
“This is not the place to discuss–”
Taron interrupted him before Zephyr could finish, a pout already forming on his lips.
“You’re the one who’s always talking about quality time and connection.
Is it really so wrong that I want that with you in the morning?
You roll out of bed before I can even suggest morning–” Zephyr’s growl cut him off, and Taron rolled his eyes before finishing– “Cuddles. I was going to say morning cuddles. Maybe you’re the one making the conversation inappropriate, not me. ”
A wave of electricity seemed to roll over Zephyr’s body as he got more annoyed with his mate. It was Tony who stopped the argument, putting a hand on both of them, his tone soft and calm.
“Calm down. Taron, given the reason why you want access to our mate in the shower, Zephyr is allowed to be upset that you’re bringing it up in front of others.
If it really bothers you, you can talk to him at home.
And Zephyr, you know he’s picking at you on purpose because of what happened this morning. Don’t let him rile you up.”
Dax tried not to laugh as both larger and more powerful supernaturals instantly became subdued.
He was all too familiar with the pull a mate had on him.
One look at Mateo and he would do anything in his power to please the man.
Heck, he’d even give up his favorite chicken if it meant making Mateo happy.
It was a good thing Mateo liked it as much as he did.