Chapter 37
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
MATEO
Mateo had been so frantic to apologize, Dax practically had to shout at him to get him to listen. And when he finally heard what Dax said, he froze. Did he just say…?
“You’re my mate,” Dax repeated, that look of regret reappearing on his face.
“I’m sorry. I should’ve told you sooner.
I wanted to. But you were going through a hard time, and I didn’t want to pile more onto your plate while you were still getting your feet under you.
There’s basically nothing out there about humans and their matings, so I figured you didn’t feel the same things I did.
I thought if I let us take our time and get to know each other, then eventually I’d find the perfect time to tell you. ”
Mateo was too stunned to speak. Dax made it sound like he’d known for a while. How long? It couldn’t be right away, right? Though, that would explain why Dax was so insistent on helping him when they didn't even know each other…
“I tried more than once to tell you, but either the time didn’t feel right or we kept getting interrupted,” Dax continued, his tone morose.
“I swear, I tried. I was going to tell you over the weekend after your sister visited because you seemed so much more content and relaxed, but then you said you didn’t want any more big changes and I–”
Mateo let out something between a laugh and a sob, his hands gripping his hair as he realized this really was his fault. Just not in the way he thought.
“I didn’t mean it like that!” he practically shouted, looking up at Dax whose expression looked both confused and devastated at the same time.
“I mean, I did, but–” He shook his head wildly, getting confused himself about what to say.
He’d meant what he said about not wanting any more big changes for a while.
He needed a break. But this didn’t count.
Or, well… it did, but he wasn’t upset about it.
He was… relieved. He hated the constant wondering if he’d somehow chase Dax away.
But mates were made for one another. He knew that much at least. He wouldn’t be Dax’s mate if Dax couldn’t handle his more highly strung moments. Right?
“How sure are you?” he demanded, searching those gorgeous silver eyes for the truth he so desperately wanted.
“Completely sure,” Dax replied, a flicker of hope in his eyes. “Krakens are one of only a few species that know right away. For us, all it takes is touching our mate’s skin with our tentacles.”
Mateo’s eyes widened even further. “So you’ve known since–” He thought back, grateful he had the amulet to keep him from choking because he sucked in a sharp breath when he realized just how long Dax knew. “You’ve known from the start?”
Dax’s expression crumpled. “I know. I’m so sorry, Mateo. I should’ve told you. I never meant to betray you by keeping such a secret and–”
Mateo lunged forward, cutting off the unnecessary apology with a frantic kiss.
If Dax knew from the first touch, which Mateo was pretty sure was the first day Dax brought him to the pool to clear his head, and he was still around, then there was no question.
Humans might not have some kind of magic to tell them if they had a mate or whatever, but krakens did.
Dax had known from the start. He was still here. That meant it had to be true.
The relief was all encompassing, and the kiss broke because he couldn’t stop the sob from escaping him.
When he threw his arms around Dax’s neck, hugging him tightly, Dax did exactly what Mateo needed him to, wrapping him in one of those all over hugs with his tentacles.
No wonder that worked so well. They were made for each other.
Of course his mate’s hugs would be the most perfect thing to comfort him when he needed it.
“Mateo…” Dax croaked, squeezing him a little tighter.
“I love you,” Mateo choked out around sobs. “I want to be your mate.”
Dax groaned, dropping his head back, and when Mateo looked up at him, his face was twisted like he was fighting his own wave of tears.
“You have no idea how much I’ve been dying to hear you say that.
” He dropped his chin, silver eyes filled with love and devotion as he said, “I love you, too. Every part of you. I’ve never regretted a single moment with you.
I only regretted not telling you sooner. ”
They spent a long time just holding one another, weeks of pent up tension on both their parts finally releasing as the truth came out.
The reason Dax had been so closed off and distant was because Mateo had stupidly said the wrong thing at the worst time.
And the reason Mateo felt so depressed and anxious was because after spending so much time together, their bond was strong enough that he was starting to pick up Dax’s emotions.
That feeling like he couldn’t make himself stay happy was coming from Dax.
Eventually, they realized they had to get back to work.
It was the middle of the work day when Miles basically kidnapped them both and forced them to talk, and Mateo didn’t want Jonah to start thinking him taking long lunches and skipping on work would be a regular thing.
It wasn’t until they swam for the surface that both of them noticed the ice was gone and the pool room was empty, no Miles in sight.
They both shot each other confused looks, and Mateo had many, many questions for the mage who’d looked pissed when he showed up on the cyber security floor.
Mateo had wondered if he’d taken offense to the way he left the cafeteria, but when he’d tried to ask, Miles had thrust the amulet at him, demanded he put it on, and not spoken another word to him, dragging him along until he could shove him into the pool.
For such a small guy, he was freakishly strong.
It was while Dax was helping him out of the pool, which was harder than it looked while his clothes were soaking wet, that they finally got a message from the mage.
Dax’s phone buzzed in his pocket and he pulled it out with a frown, brightening when he realized it still worked.
“It definitely was a good idea to get a waterproof one,” he said cheerfully.
Mateo grimaced. He hadn’t asked for that, and he just knew his phone was going to be destroyed after staying in the water that long. He didn’t even want to reach into his pocket to find out.
While he was patting his pockets to find which one had his phone, a snort from Dax drew his attention and he leaned closer when Dax tipped the screen so he could see the message displayed.
Miles: Did you two make up yet, or do I have to keep you in there all night?
Chuckling, Dax typed out a message in response, letting Mateo watch to see what he was saying.
Dax: We made up. Though, next time, maybe at least tell us to change first? I had my phone in my pocket, and so did Mateo.
Miles: Mateo’s phone is on his desk. I saw him dump it there before I grabbed him. And you wouldn’t be texting me if your phone was broken, so stop whining.
“Is he always so mean?” Mateo asked with a frown.
Dax just grinned and shook his head. “Surly at times, but not mean. He’s just being an ass because he knows we can’t complain at him for doing what he did.”
As if to prove him right, Miles’s next text said,
Miles: You’re welcome. I expect compensation in the amount of one bottle of coral city liquor. I fucking need it.
Dax: Deal. And I have questions about what’s going on with you. But we need to get back to work. This weekend?
Miles sent back a thumbs up in response, and Dax tucked his phone back in his pocket, wrinkled his nose at the wet fabric on his skin. Mateo had to agree. He loved swimming. He hated sopping wet and heavy fabric clinging to him.
“Dry off, finish the work day, then I’ll come to your place?
” he offered. Dax was always coming over to the condo, and after the upheaval of the day, he figured his mate deserved some creature comforts.
Mateo did his best to hide the giddy grin on his face just thinking about that title. Who would’ve thought he’d have a mate?
Dax grimaced, his tone a little uncertain as he countered, “...Or we tell our bosses we just found out we’re mates, and we need to take the afternoon off?
If I have to go much longer without claiming you, I might go insane.
When my brother said my instincts would get loud, he really downplayed just how intense it would be. ”
A small thrill fluttered in Mateo’s belly at the idea of Dax claiming him.
He had no idea what that involved, but whatever it was, he wanted it to happen.
He’d felt the pull toward Dax from the start, and now it made a lot more sense why he was willing to ignore all his apprehension about inter-office dating when he was literally faced with his perfect match.
If they could seal that bond sooner rather than later, he wanted to do it.
“Okay, so we’ll dry off, go upstairs to alert our bosses, then go to your place?” Mateo suggested. “That way I can grab my phone before we leave. If I wait a few days to tell Carmen I found my mate, she’ll come back and this time she’ll hurt me.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll protect you,” Dax replied teasingly.
He gave Mateo that familiar sunny smile that felt like a balm to any anxiety that cropped up throughout the day.
If he could, he’d keep Dax smiling like that all the time, just so whenever things got loud in his head, he would instantly feel better looking at his mate.
Mateo felt a little dazed as the reality of that sank in.
He barely noticed as Dax helped him dry off and run his clothes through the machine to dry them.
If he hadn’t worked for Jonah, he wouldn’t have even thought humans had mates.
Nothing he’d ever learned growing up ever mentioned it.
But not only did he have a mate, Dax somehow showed up exactly when Mateo needed him.
He got the feeling he wouldn’t have handled all the changes in his life nearly as well without Dax there to help him.
It was Dax kissing the back of his hand that drew Mateo out of his head.
His expression was soft, that pretty blue hair falling messily onto his forehead, already dried because his body basically absorbed any water that touched him.
They headed for the elevators together, holding hands the entire way, and Mateo felt himself let out another long sigh of relief.
He’d said he didn't want any more big changes, and he didn't regret Dax telling him the truth, but he was looking forward to nothing else changing for a while. Though, he wouldn’t say that out loud this time.
Just in case.
When they stepped off the elevator on the cyber security floor, his footsteps stuttered as he noticed several people standing around his desk . Including Jonah and Roz. All eyes swung their way, and Roz crossed her arms over her chest, frowning at them both.
“You’d better have a good explanation for this.”
Stunned, Mateo hurried closer, looking at the mess at his desk in concern, worried he’d somehow damaged something when he was freaking out earlier. When he saw nothing had changed since Miles had dragged him away, he shot a confused look at Jonah.
“You’re meticulous about your things. We thought maybe after what’s been happening downstairs–”
Mateo’s brows snapped together. “What do you mean? What happened?”
Roz waved that away. “Not important. Who did this?”
“I did,” Mateo croaked, straightening his spine when he got several disbelieving looks in response.
“I was dealing with something personal. It’s not a big deal.
” He turned to Roz, keeping his chin up and ignoring the burning embarrassment heating his cheeks.
The entire office seeing the results of his meltdown was humiliating.
“I was going to ask if I could take the afternoon off. Dax just told me we’re mates, and–”
A smile bloomed across Jonah’s face, and he clapped Mateo on the shoulder in congratulations.
“That’s amazing, man. And a huge relief.
We all thought someone did this to you on purpose.
Yeah, go ahead and take the time you need.
It’s probably for the best anyway. At least until we figure out what’s going on downstairs. ”
Mateo frowned. There was a story there that he felt like he needed to know. He pushed it aside for now. Right now, only one thing mattered. Getting back home with Dax so they could claim each other properly. The rest could wait.