Page 71 of The Bull's Head

“But you’re happy, right?” Byk asked nervously.

“Ecstatic,” Teddy said honestly. “Nothing could be better for me.”

They snuggled together, with Teddy running his fingers over Byk’s body, memorizing the curves, the dips, the muscles that were reforming. He wanted nothing about Byk to escape his notice, because no matter what happened, Teddy would love Byk until they day he died.

Teddy’s features were placid as he dozed. Byk enjoyed staring at his face. The way it smoothed out when he relaxed completely made Teddy appear so young, carefree. Byk had little doubt that as Teddy aged, there would be fine lines where the skin crinkled around his eyes when he squinted or smile, or the tautness of his lips when he was frustrated. And he had to admit, he wanted to be around when that happened. He wanted to grow old with Teddy, to raise a family, to share the love he held in his heart with others.

He gave a soft shake to the wide shoulder. “Teddy?”

“Hm?” His bleary eyes opened, and it took a moment before they focused on Byk. “Hey, going somewhere?” He tugged Byk down and wrapped around him again. “I think I’m going to hold you here all day.” He licked the side of Byk’s neck. “Maybe we’ll see about you taking a turn and?—”

“I want to see Dr. Lydia today.”

Everything stopped. Byk wasn’t even sure Teddy was breathing anymore. He reached for Teddy and put a hand on his chest.

“Are you sure?” Teddy choked out.

Was he? Yeah, he had to be. “I don’t want this hanging over me. I need to move past it, especially since my future is being mapped out in front of me.” He stroked Teddy’s fuzzy chest. “I need to be in this relationship fully, and I can’t do it if I continue to think about my death.”

“I told you, we?—”

“You can’t stop it, Teddy. I think there are answers, but they’re locked away up here.” He tapped his temple. “Dr. Hamilton might be the only one who can find someone to let me access them. I’m certain it has to do with those flashes of light I see in my mind on occasion.”

“Then we’ll do it together.”

There was no way. It was impossible. “Teddy, you can’t come into my mind.”

A devious grin as Teddy gripped Byk’s hand. “You’re my mate. There’s nowhere you can go that I can’t follow.” He stood, pulling Byk with him. “Let’s go have breakfast, then we’ll stop and visit Dr. Hamilton.”

“I don’t know if I can eat,” Byk admitted, his stomach clenching.

Teddy scowled. “If you want to do this, you have to have your strength. Not eating isn’t an option.” He grabbed Byk’s chin between his thumb and finger. “Are we clear?”

Why did Byk find this Teddy to be so damn hot? He’d always had a thing for bigger men, but Teddy was enough to make him forget every fantasy he’d had.

“We’re clear.”

Teddy took his hand and walked Byk to the cafeteria. As they entered, the sound of the kids chittering, their voices high and sweet, flowed over Byk. This was what he wanted. To sit down to a meal with Teddy and their kids. To look over at them and feel their place in the heart that had been dormant far too long. He squeezed Teddy’s hand tight.

“I want a family too,” Teddy whispered. “With you, my Byk. I long thought I would never have anyone, dared not dream of a family, but now? I want it with a desperation, and I will follow you to the gates of hell before I let go of that desire.” He pointed to an open table. “Sit. I will bring us food.”

Byk did as he was told. He gazed around the room and smiled as he found Alp herding a group of kids as they tore into their food. He glanced up and smiled at Byk, who couldn’t explain the warmth that filled him. He should hate this place, should have run as soon as he shifted back to human. Yet, now he didn’t want to leave. He wanted Wald to be a home for him and Teddy. He wanted to adopt a child, to raise them to be a good person.

He sniffled. He understood what Teddy meant about desires. He’d never had any beyond learning to bake and living on his own, but now? Every thought he had centered around Wald pack, where he’d made friends like Alp and Ivan, where Teddy lived, where so many people who understood his pain made their home without being weighed down by the past.

A big hand moved in front of him and placed a plate heaped with food down for Byk. He inhaled deeply. Spaghetti with peppers, tomatoes, onions, and mushrooms in a thick cream sauce. The smell made Byk’s stomach rumble. Maybe he was hungrier than he thought.

“The sauce is made with coconut milk, and Gael assures me it’s totally vegan.”

“Gael?”

Teddy tilted his head toward a slender man with an enormous smile who was dashing back and forth between serving stations to help people out. He had short, thick golden hair and larger-than-normal eyes that reflected bright yellow in the overhead lighting. “He oversees the kitchens. He places the orders, makes sure the dietary needs of everyone are met, and a bunch of stuff I didn’t really understand. He’s a good person with an even bigger heart. He’s a kinkajou shifter.”

“Kinkajou?” Byk questioned, then took a forkful of the pasta. It was rich, thick. Never before had he tasted anything equal to it. His mother certainly hadn’t made anything like it. He bit back a moan, but Teddy’s raised eyebrows let him know he understood. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard of those.”

“Heh. That’s a little hard to explain. Gael’s parents brought him here from South America when they realized his shifter side was more dominant. It’s why he looks like he does. His features more closely resemble the actual animal, and they feared for his life. Before coming to Wald, he was in a small village that thought he was a bad omen. They moved to a bigger city, but there Gael was bullied relentlessly. Eventually they ended up in the DeSoto pack, but Gael didn’t fare much better there. Then came Wald, and the First of DeSoto called to ask—and by ask, he meant demand—that Mal take in Gael and his family. There wasn’t any hesitation. He’s only been here a month, but he says he’s never felt this comfortable anywhere.”

Wald had to be paradise. That was the only explanation for the feelings churning in Byk’s stomach. “And no one looks at him any different?”

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