Page 6 of What the Hex

A shy smile curved King’s lips, and he reached up with his free hand to brush a stray curl away from his eyes. “Meeting your soulmate isn't something that happens every day. It looks pretty intense.”

Understatement of the century, and far more leniency than he deserved.

“Are you okay?”

Now, the guy was worried about him? Forget leniency. It was the man himself Storm didn’t deserve.

“I will be.” With great reluctance, he finally released his grasp and dropped his arm to his side. “I think we probably need to talk, though.” He glanced sideways at the eager expressions on Damien and Arlon’s faces. “Alone.”

King chuckled, and though it was quiet and lacked force, it was the most beautiful sound he’d ever heard.

“Come on. I’ll show you to your room. I think that’s about as much privacy as we’re going to get around here.”

“How good is your hearing?” Arlo asked, his eyes locked on Damien.

Damien, the fucking traitor, gave him a Cheshire grin. “Excellent.”

Palming his friend’s face, Storm gave him a playful shove. “Go away.”

“Oh, fine.” Damien huffed dramatically, but his smile never dimmed. “We’ll talk later.”

King laughed again as he watched the pair disappear across the lobby toward the bank of elevators. “I thought Arlo was bad enough.”

“Damien is worse.” He really wouldn’t put it past the wolf to post up outside of his door to eavesdrop.

“Don’t worry. Your rooms are on different floors in separate wings.” King leaned closer and lowered his voice. “Plus, I know the head of security.”

King was taking the news of their mating better than Storm had any right to expect. Really, though, he was just glad to see that the haunting sadness had disappeared. At least, for the time being.

Whatever had put that look in his mate’s eyes wasn’t a surface-level problem. That kind of pain ran deep, and he imagined it wouldn’t stay hidden for long.

“Hey, King. I hear congratulations are in order.”

King looked over his shoulder at an approaching elf with sandy hair and a knowing smile. “I think everyone heard that, but thanks.”

“I guess you got your wish.”

His brow furrowed, and he titled his head. “What do you mean?”

The other male blanched but recovered quickly and turned his attention to Storm. “Oliver McKenzie. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

Storm relaxed as he shook the elf’s hand. “You wrote the screenplay for Checking In.”

“I did.”

“If you have time later, I’d love to pick your brain about my character.”

His face split into a wide grin as he tucked a lock of hair behind his ear. “I was hoping you’d say that. How about dinner tonight?” He glanced at King. “Unless you have other plans?”

“Tonight is fine,” King answered. “You should bring your mate.”

Storm shrugged. Whatever his mate wanted was fine by him. “Sure. That sounds great.”

“Stay here.” He pointed at the floor. “Don’t move. I’ll go make a reservation.”

Storm gave him a mock salute. “Yes, sir.”

“He looks happy,” Oliver mused as they watched King hurry over to the row of registration counters.

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