Page 28 of In The Shadow of The Wolf

Maybe Henry wasn’t his mate, and he was simply reacting to the excitement of the moment. Terry scrambled for an easy solution to his dilemma. He dismissed that idea as soon as it formed. He knew his mate; every shifter did. They called to you on an irresistible soul level. He recognized Henry the moment he laid eyes on him.

The only question was could he fit a human, male mate into his life? Terry was suddenly overcome with a sense of panic. He gripped the edge of his desk to steady himself. Just the thought of denying Henry was so devastating that it had almost brought him to his knees. There was no way he would ever let that man go.

…

Henry struggled with whether to call Terry and cancel dinner or go and see for himself if Dean was telling the truth. He showered, changed, and waited for Terry in the front entry hall. He could see the driveway and would know when he arrived. A part of Henry wondered if it was a joke, and he would be left sitting there alone, waiting for nothing to happen.

Seven o’clock came and went without a sign of Terry Moore. Henry sat and waited and wondered how long he should sit there before returning to his room. He stood and went back upstairs at seven-thirty with a heavy sigh of disappointment. Dean was telling the truth; it was all a joke.

…

Terry was frantic as he tried everything that he could think of to get away from his friend Gary. He’d stupidly said he had no plans when Gary stopped by the office. He couldn’t very well tell him he was taking a guy to dinner, but he should have come up with something that would have freed him. Instead, he panicked and declared he had no plans. Now here he was, sitting at the diner listening to the third rendition of Gary’s explanation of why his wife should forgive him for forgetting their anniversary.

“Perhaps you should be home with her rather than here with me if you want to be forgiven,” Terry interjected.

Gary grimaced at the suggestion. “She told me to get out of her sight.”

“Go home, Gary, and bring flowers with you.” Terry persisted. “You better suck up and do it quickly if you don’t want to be sleeping on the sofa for the next week.” Thankfully Gary seemed to take an interest in his advice and abruptly stood.

“You’re right, Terry. I’ll get roses and candy and beg her to forgive me.” He headed for the door but turned back to regard Terry with a big smile and a thumbs-up before leaving. Terry waved and quickly got up and raced out of the diner once Gary was gone.

“Shit!” Terry muttered when he noticed it was now nearly eight-thirty. He pulled out his phone and dialed the Ranch. He had forgotten to get Henry’s number but hoped that someone at the Ranch would give it to him.

“Hey Alvin, would you happen to know Henry’s cell number? I need to let him know that I’m on my way and I didn’t forget our date.” Terry waited, hoping that he wouldn’t have to give more explanation.

“Sure, just a minute,” Alvin responded good-naturedly. Terry gave a relieved sigh and waited.

Henry sat on the window seat in his bedroom and stared out into the backyard. He had hoped that Terry was sincere and had hoped they could have a friendship, if nothing else. He was attracted to the man, but he wouldn’t settle for being anyone’s dirty little secret ever again.

The memory of his past relationship came flooding back, and he quickly blocked it. Even after two years, it still felt too fresh and painful. He didn’t want to start crying again, not here and not now. Why did he always attract the frightened straight men? Dean said Terry was straight, but the look in his eyes both at the gas station and earlier when he asked him out said something different.

None of that mattered now, though. Terry had stood him up, ending their relationship, so to speak, before it even started. He felt a combination of hurt and relief at the realization.

Henry was abruptly pulled from his consideration by his cell phone ringing. He grabbed it from his pocket and answered without looking, assuming it was someone from home checking on him.

“Hello.”

“Henry, this is Terry.” Henry set up straight and wished he’d checked the caller ID.

“I’m sorry I stood you up. It wasn’t on purpose, I swear. Please, it’s still early. Can I . . . can we . . . have coffee or something?” Terry was at a loss. He didn’t know what to say or how to say it. The ensuing silence was killing him. He should have called sooner. He should have come up with some excuse and called Henry sooner. Why hadn’t he called? He felt like a complete asshole.

“Okay, coffee would be fine. But I don’t want to go anywhere with you. Let’s have coffee here at the Ranch.”

That statement hit Terry like a knife in his heart. As much as he was having doubts and fears regarding their relationship, it tore at him to realize his mate was also having doubts.

“You’re safe with me,” Terry whispered. “I understand, though, and I will have coffee anywhere you want as long as it’s with you.” Terry was contrite, and Henry did not miss the hurt in his voice.

“Okay. I’ll wait for you downstairs, but I’ll only wait thirty minutes. If you don’t show, please don’t ever call me again.” It may have sounded rough or demanding, but Henry needed to set the ground rules and expectations early. He would not settle, ever again, for a one-sided or dismissive relationship.

“Put the coffee on; I’ll be there.” With that, Terry hung up and headed to his car.

…

Henry made his way back to the front entry hall and sat down to wait after checking his watch. After seventeen minutes, he saw a car pull into the yard, and Terry got out. He jogged up to the front door.

Suddenly Alvin appeared coming from the TV room and went to answer the door. He turned and smiled at Henry. “I’ll get this, you wait in the kitchen, and I’ll send him to you.”

Henry nodded, appreciating Alvin’s care, and retreated to the kitchen. It was only a few moments before Terry appeared at the doorway.

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