Page 47 of Knot Fit For Love

With that, he left, leaving Elias standing against the wall praying for his legs to work while his heart beat a tune out of his chest.

Chapter Twelve

There was no more avoiding August. He cornered Elias in the lobby and practically strong-armed him into having dinner together. Normally, he's relaxed when it comes to having dinner with his mentor, but this time it was extremely uncomfortable. Elias was unsure if he was prepared for what August wanted to discuss.

They didn't hide anything from each other, no lying whatsoever. Elias wouldn't start now, at least not with August. That's why, when he sat across from the alpha in a private room at a steakhouse, he felt like spilling his guts to get it over with. What would his mentor think about all this?

Dear Goddess, it scared him to find out. Sensing Elias' nervousness, August swiftly moved the bottle of Prosecco he had ordered across the tablecloth and poured them both a generous glass. It was a sweet pink color and bubbles popped as he swirled it between two fingers, watching the liquid move.

"So," August began, taking a sip. "Are you ready to talk about it, or shall we speak on menial things for the next hour?"

"I'm involved with three different alphas and have no idea how it happened."

The words left his mouth in a rush that blended together. August weathered them before sitting back with his glass, a politely shocked look on his handsome face. He even ran one hand through his chestnut curls, mussing them away from his forehead.

"Wow," he said.

Elias blushed a bit. "Wow, what?"

"Sorry, but this isn't what I expected to hear from someone who says they hate alphas."

"I never said I hated them, only that they weren't good for me."

He glanced down at his menu, taking in the choices and wondering whether he should get the filet mignon or the creamy pesto pasta. It was also a very convenient cover for not looking his pseudo-father figure in the eye.

"Calm down over there," August replied, voice lined with humor. "This isn't an interrogation. You don't have to tell me anything if you don't want to."

Elias set his menu on the edge of the table, steepling his fingers and leaning his chin on them as he readied himself to face the truth. Talking this over would help, right?

"Okay. Remember that Friday when I was acting weird?" August nodded. "I met an alpha after my presentation. He offered his…services, and I accepted like an idiot because I was in pre-heat. Then he said something thoughtless, so I decided that was the end of yet another failed attempt at compatibility."

They paused when the waiter returned, giving the gentleman their order and accepting a basket of fresh rolls with soft thanks. Elias busied his shaking hands by buttering one and giving August half of it. His mentor remained silent, giving him the floor for as long as he needed it.

"Ian was home when I stopped there to shower before going back to the office. He caught me looking like a disaster in the bathroom. We had a fight about it, well, not really a fight, but he brought us up again, and I…"

"Ran away?" August finished gently, cocking his head to the left. Elias nodded and stuffed a whole half roll into his mouth. "It's normal to be afraid of commitment when you've been through terrible things."

Elias took comfort in those words, no matter how much they enabled him. He knew August meant well, but falling back into their familiar, safe warmth was why he'd been alone for the last six years. A unique form of comfort to help him on dark days when the anxiety reared and his pain simmered too close to the surface.

"I know that," Elias said, twisting his fingers in his lap. "But I was feeling vulnerable and Ian was there. He soothed my mind and treated me like I was a treasure. It was nice."

"Okay, what's the problem?"

Wasn't that the million dollar question?

"Well, the first guy showed up at the apartment on Sunday offering to be a third in mine and Ian's relationship. I tried to defuse the situation, but the amount of testosterone flying was overwhelming. That's when I remembered what I really am."

"Yes, but what you are makes you dedicated in other ways, Eli. Don't forget that. And who the hell is the third guy? How does he fit into this crazy story?"

Elias laughed, charmed by the way his mentor leaned in over the table, eating up the gossip. "Well, the third came into my office with a proposal from Weston Construction. He's the inheriting son, and, uh, he asked me out. I went. There he offered me a different proposal."

If possible, August leaned even closer, nearly knocking the wine bottle to the floor but catching it at the last second.

"Can you tell me what it was?"

Elias opened his mouth to answer when the door to their private dining space opened up and their food came in. He was grateful for the brief reprieve, accepting his plate of pasta with a smile and a big inhale. It smelled heavenly. August got his second choice, the filet, and it looked just as good.

"Alright, so don't laugh or anything," Elias finally said, twirling pasta on his fork.

---