Page 39 of Lost Mate

Ross felt guilty for challenging him. Joe had enough to worry about. “I know you do. And yeah, we’ll talk as soon as I get back.”

“I’ll let Eli know you’re coming over, so he doesn’t shoot you.”

“Thanks,” Ross said dryly.

“You’re welcome. Do you want to stay for dinner?”

Ross hesitated, then said, “Not this time. Dylan and I need some getting to know each other time.”

“Okay.”

He disconnected the call and looked at his mate who raised an eyebrow.

“That seemed an intense conversation. I could feel the tension pouring off you.”

Ross shrugged. “Just me making it more complicated than it needed to be. Come on, let me introduce you to the critters.”

“I’m a wolf. Aren’t they going to panic?”

“They’re used to Cal now. Just give them time to get to know you.”

Dylan stood and chugged back the tea. “In which case, get me out of here.”

Ross felt the tension ease as he pottered around the horses and maybe he was imagining it, but they seemed pleased to see him too. He knew this would be his life now if he’d gotten the chance. Dylan seemed just as content and once the horses understood Dylan was friend, not predator, they relaxed around him and nipped at his pockets, looking for the treats Ross had palmed him.

“You watch old Betsy,” Ross said to his mate. “She was Joe Senior’s before he was ill. but I ride her now. She’ll take the carrots out of your pockets if she gets the chance.”

They fed the chickens and the sheep, and Ross milked the four Holstein dairy cows Joe Senior had just acquired from another farmer who wanted to retire. Quite why the older wolf thought anyone had time to take care of cows, Ross didn’t know, but everyone liked the fresh milk, and the cows were a sweet dream to handle. While he milked them, he indulged in his dream to have a small milking parlor and a larger herd. Maybe this was something he needed to discuss with his mate now.

Ya think? Dylan didn’t bother to hide his sarcasm.

I was broadcasting again?

I repeat, ya think?

Ross was going to have to talk to other humans in the pack about this. He didn’t want all his thoughts on broadcast.

They delivered the milk and a few eggs they found to Cal, but he was clearly not in the mood to talk. Somewhere in the background, Joe was shouting. So they returned to the office and Ross served up a lasagna for dinner.

“I need a shower,” Ross said after they’d eaten. “Want to join me again?” He waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

Dylan chuckled but he shook his head. “I need to think. It’s like I’ve got the teasers of memories, but I just can’t put my finger on them. I need to shift. Maybe that’ll help me remember.”

Ross was disappointed but he understood. He kissed Dylan on the mouth. It was meant to be a quick peck and ended up way more heated than he’d intended.

Dylan pulled back, his eyes unfocused as he licked his lips. “Right, shower, you need to go.”

Feeling smug, Ross gave his mate a slap on the ass, received a squeak for his troubles, and headed into the bathroom. He stripped off and looked down at his erect dick, thanks to their make-out session.

“You’ll have to wait until later. I’m saving this for my mate.”

He swore he heard a chuckle in his head.

It was too hot to dress, so he slung a towel around his hips and used the other one to dry his hair. He wandered out of the bathroom to find the living area and the office empty. He had a momentary panic, wondering if Dylan had decided to make a bolt for it and leave Ross behind. Ross wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to cope with that loss. Then he stepped out onto the porch and relaxed as he saw a dark shadow in one corner of the yard.

His mate was restless. Ross watched the wolf pace around the yard, then stare at the moon. It was nearly full in the velvet blue sky and Ross realized he didn’t know if werewolves were affected by the full moon. He sent a tentative question to Dylan to see if he remembered the answer.

We are, but not like the movies, all bite the humans, howl howl, furry monsters. We like to go for a pack run and fuck. I kinda remember doing that as a young wolf, the run part, not the fuck, but the memories are hazy.

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