Page 29 of In The Shadow of The Wolf

“Thanks for meeting with me.”

“Sure.” Henry handed him a cup of coffee and pointed to a chair opposite his at the table. He wanted a little distance between them.

“I’m sorry I didn’t call you sooner, and I’m sorry I was so late.” Terry began at the only point he could think of. He was two hours late, and he hadn’t called. Henry nodded but didn’t respond. He took a long sip of his coffee and then set it on the table without making eye contact with Terry. “I should have called,” Terry repeated softly.

“It doesn’t matter, Terry.” Henry began but still did not look at him. He kept his eyes on his cup as he absently ran his fingers around the rim. “It’s not like we’re dating or even friends, for that matter. You don’t owe me anything.” Terry held his cup in a death grip as his eyes stayed glued to Henry. “I’m only here until the ceremony, so just a few more days. We won’t be seeing each other after that, since I live in Washington and you in Montana. I really don’t see a point in trying to work this out.” Henry pointed out the facts as he saw them.

Terry was furious with Henry for dismissing the bond and with himself for screwing things up so fast. To see his mate sitting there casually stating he was leaving and a relationship between them was unlikely was tearing him apart. On the outside, he was trying to control his panicked rage, but on the inside, his wolf was demanding he grab their mate and run.

“Even if you return to Washington, I would still like permission to date you. I feel we have something. Don’t you feel it?” Terry decided to gently approach the subject of mates.

Henry heard the implication and saw the heated stare Terry was giving him, and jumped to the correct conclusion. “What are you saying?” Henry needed to hear it clearly.

Before admitting the truth, Terry held him in that needy, demanding, passionate stare for several heartbeats. “You’re familiar with shifters. Jamie told me you have family that are shifters.” Henry nodded but added nothing. “I am drawn to you in a way only shifters are drawn.”

“Say what you mean,” Henry demanded softly.

“You’re my mate Henry, and I am yours.” The silence fell hard. Both men were staring holes into each other and waiting. Hope and fear filled the room in equal measures.

“You’re not gay. Dean told me you’re not gay, and to top it off, you also have a hatred for humans. I heard how you treated Ronan.” Henry stated harshly and let his eyes shift back to his coffee cup. “Fates must really hate you, Terry.” The corner of his lip turned up in a sad smile, and then he took a long sip of his coffee, draining the cup.

Terry was speechless. He was angry at himself and his past. Yes, Fates definitely hated him; otherwise, he would have woken up to his stupidity and changed his behavior before meeting Henry. “I can’t lose you, Henry. I have my problems and a reputation that wouldn’t make you proud, but I can change. Give me time and give me a chance, please.” Terry reached across the table, took Henry’s hand, and squeezed it. “Please give me a chance.”

Henry nodded after several tense moments of consideration. “I don’t see how this can work, but I’m willing to try. I’m attracted to you. I won’t pretend that I’m not, but that doesn’t mean I won’t walk away if it is in my best interest to do so.” Henry suddenly hit him with a deadly stare and caused the breath to catch in Terry’s throat. “If you are straight, then own it. Don’t try to be something you’re not. I’m not interested in becoming your failed experiment.”

“I’m gay, but I’m not out in Lonepine. Give me another chance, please.” Terry pleaded softly as he continued to stroke his fingers across Henry’s palm.

Henry nodded. “Okay, dinner tomorrow, and don’t be late.”

“Thank you, Henry. I’ll pick you up at seven, and I won’t be late.” A huge smile burst across Terry’s face, full of relief and expectation.

…

The next morning, everyone seemed to avoid the subject of him and Terry and the supposed date. Henry figured they really didn’t know what to say and felt uncomfortable bringing it up to him. Everyone had already given him their thoughts of Terry, and he had definitely lived up to their opinions.

Henry saved them from an extended awkward silence by beginning the conversation. “Terry stood me up last night,” he paused as groans and nods circled the table. “But he called later and apologized.” The silence continued as every eye remained on him. “He came by late last night, and I agreed to give him another chance.”

Ronan was the first to respond to the news. “Another chance to what, treat you like shit?” Alpha Lance, Ronan’s mate, shot him a stern look, and Ronan responded by shooting him an irritated expression. That was a look only the Alpha Mate could get away with.

“I believe he was sincere, and he seemed contrite.” Henry defended weakly.

“Oh, please, Henry, you don’t know the sort of man Terry Moore is.” Dean joined the discussion. “I explained to you last night not to expect him to show, and he didn’t show. So now I’m telling you he isn’t worth your time, your effort, or your care. He will hurt you, that I guarantee.”

Henry poked at his eggs as he thought over Dean’s words. “I realize that Terry is a chance, but he is a chance I feel I need to take. I don’t want to walk away unless I’m sure he’s no good for me. As it is now, I really don’t know him, and I want to know him.”

“Do what you believe is correct for you but remember that we’ll be here for you regardless of how things turn out,” Molly spoke the words Henry wanted to hear. They were words of caring and support. He smiled broadly, as did Aaron, the Pack Beta, and Molly’s mate.

“Thanks, Molly.” He said, and she nodded. Everyone got back to their breakfast, but Ronan mumbled something under his breath that sounded like, ‘just a matter of time.’

...

Terry was so relieved when Henry agreed to give him another chance. Being late the previous evening was a huge mistake that he planned never to repeat. He had to find a way to tell his friends and his family that he had found his mate, and his mate was Henry Grange. He smiled warmly at the thought of Henry and grimaced at the reality of how his friends and family would take the news.

“Hey, Terry.” Jamie walked into the office and went right to the coffee maker for a hot cup of his favorite beverage, next to a cold beer on a Friday night, of course. “I love a hot cup of strong coffee in the morning.” He mumbled more to himself than Terry. He took his seat across from where Terry was seated and eyed him speculatively over the rim of his mug after taking a long sip.

“So, how was the date?” He smiled and set his cup down. His smile dropped to concern when he saw the sheepish look cross Terry’s face. “Oh, tell me you didn’t fuck this up.”

“No! Yes. Maybe? I don’t know.” Terry dropped his head into his hands and then roughly ran his fingers through his short hair. He spent the next few minutes explaining himself and the previous night's events to his friend. Jamie sat there and appeared dumbfounded at the stupidity of it all. His opinion was apparent in the expression on his face. “I know! You don’t have to say it. If I keep this up, I will lose him.”

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