Page 9 of Lost Mate

Ross knew the house well enough to know where the guest bedroom was. He backed in, easing Dylan through the door—the last thing he needed was another bump to the head—to discover Zeke and Owen had decorated it in a pale yellow since he was last there. It was nice, pretty, the last thing he expected from the two men.

Owen needs a home. Zeke wants to build that for him.

He grunted at Dylan’s explanation. He should have thought about that for himself. Dylan was very perceptive to realize their dynamic.

He flung back the covers and laid Dylan on the bed. Dylan went to curl into a ball on his side, but Ross stopped him.

“Let me undress you. You’ll be more comfortable that way.”

Dylan grumbled, but he stayed where he was. Ross unlaced his combat boots, pausing as he pulled them off and studied them. He had an identical pair. They were Cavalry boots, well-worn, probably ancient, but the best piece of equipment they had. Niles, Eli’s partner, insisted on buying the best for the teams.

He undid Dylan’s cargo pants and tugged them and his briefs down his legs. For a little guy he was covered in rangy muscle, his legs dusted in dark hair that almost looked like fur. His sweet cock nestled in tight curls. Ross knew that shifters were hairier than humans, but it didn’t bother him. He liked his men however they came.

He heard a growl in his head and smirked. Someone didn’t like him thinking about other lovers.

There’s only you, honey. You are my mate. I don’t cheat.

Ross had never believed in instalove. Lust, yes. He’d hooked up with guys many times. But he’d never fallen in love. Then he saw Eli and Zeke meet their mates and he knew what to expect, what was out there for him. Of course, knowing the theory and experiencing the immediate sensation of recognizing his mate were two different things.

“Sit up and I’ll take your jacket and T-shirt off.”

“Need a shower,” Dylan mumbled.

“You need sleep more,” Ross insisted, tugging the jacket off and the T-shirt over his head.

Dylan gave a sigh and curled up in the ball again. He was asleep in seconds, snoring contentedly, his hair had escaped the ponytail and fanned across his face. He slept like a dog, Ross thought.

Wolf, not dog. Dylan’s tone was decidedly huffy.

Oops. Offending your brand-new mate on the first day was a stupid thing to do.

“Wolf,” Ross agreed and caressed Dylan’s hair.

He covered him up and stood watching his mate sleep, before he left the bedroom to lock up the pick-up and then the house. A native of Sapphire Ranch, Joe had laughed when Cal and Eli insisted on locking their doors, but he’d soon learned. The hunters had taught them to be wary.

He wasn’t sure whether Zeke and Owen would come back before he woke but that was a problem for the morning. They could knock on the door. Knowing Owen, he’d probably pick the lock.

In the bedroom, he stripped down wearily, and climbed into bed. He’d contemplated sleeping on the sofa and heard a firm No before he’d even completed the thought. He understood. He slept with his mate.

As soon as he settled, Dylan pressed back against him, nestling against his groin, with a sigh that went straight to Ross’s dick. He was clearly a nuzzler. This was going to be a night of sheer torture as far as Ross was concerned. His mate, the man of his dreams sleeping in his arms, and Ross couldn’t do a thing except lie there and hold his mate to his heart.

Ross wasn’t sure what woke him. He opened his eyes to find the room lighter than before and when he looked out of the window, it was almost dawn, pink streaking across the sky. Then he turned his head to find his mate sitting cross-legged at his side, staring down at him, his hair tumbling around his shoulders.

He smacked his mouth a couple of times to moisten it before he spoke. “That’s kinda freaky.”

“What is?” Dylan looked genuinely confused.

“Staring at me like that when I’m asleep.”

“You’re my mate.”

“I’m still getting my head around that,” Ross admitted.

“But you wanted a mate. I can feel it here.” Dylan put a hand over his heart. “You were jealous of all the others having mates.”

“Not jealous,” Ross said hurriedly. “Pleased for them. But yeah, I wanted the same for me. I knew you were out there. I just didn’t know where.” He hesitated and said, “Did you want a mate?”

Dylan shrugged. “I don’t know. I don’t remember. I must have done.”

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