Page 8 of The Lost Beloved

“The fox shifter.”

"Yes, he's marrying a woman who is also a fox shifter, and he said that they're mates. Mates are something that is fated, and their destinies are written in the stars. It was very romantic.” Harley paused when the memory of his hurt and humiliation came back to him briefly.

“You didn’t wish to attend?”

"I was supposed to be his best man, but yesterday, he suddenly uninvited me from the event. He said his bride was uncomfortable having me there and that I was an outsider, a human that didn't belong there."

"I'm sorry, sweetheart." Gage was sympathetic. "That must have been difficult."

"It was, and it was such a shock because Ashton had never treated me like that, and neither had Ally, but as soon as the wedding shit started, she started changing. For some reason, she didn't like the relationship between Ashton and me. I don't knowwhy Ashton is completely straight, and I was never interested in my best friend in that way." He stopped to take a breath, but he knew he was rambling again.

"Ashton and I are roommates, and Ally was there all the time. I didn't have a clue she saw me as an outsider. Ashton ended our friendship because Ally told him to, and I have to accept that." Damn, it was still too fresh, and he felt a few tears stinging his eyes. "I left the apartment and decided to go camping. I just needed to get away from them and be by myself. I figured I'd camp for the weekend and then head home on Monday. They would have moved out by then."

“Sounds like a reasonable idea.” Gage was just humoring him, but it was nice all the same.

"No, a reasonable idea would have been to go to a nice hotel and have a pleasant and comfortable weekend. Instead of that, I ended up in a fucking race for my life." Harley shivered as memory of that beast came back to him.

"But you met me, and I think we have something here." Was he jesting or trying to make him feel better? Harley wanted something, but this was too good to be true.

“Yes, I met you and I agree I think we have something here.” Harley decided to play along, and he was amply rewarded for his bravery. Harley was abruptly wrapped in up in strong arms pressed close to Gage’s chest and his lips were taken in a kiss that sent his mind and emotions reeling.

The attraction and the magnetism were strong, and the kiss was much more than expected. The feelings rushing through him were charged like an electric current, and Harley could feel this fascination throughout his entire being. He'd been kissed before, but they all paled in the face of this perfect emotional onslaught.

Between the pressure and delicious massage of Gage's fingers and the amazing touch and taste of his lips, Harley was swooning and begging for it not to stop. He held onto Gage's waist, digging his fingers into the fabric of his shirt, intent on never letting go. This was unbelievable and over much too soon.

Gage did not release him but rather pulled him flush up against him and pressed his face into the curve of Harley's neck. He was feeling the need and desire to be as close as possible.

Harley felt the heat of Gage's breath fanning his flesh, and it was lovely. The overwhelming scent of lavender and orange caused him to close his eyes and just breathe, savoring the moment. "You smell so damn good." He voiced, his eyes still closed while taking deep breaths of the enticing aroma.

"I've never really noticed smells before unless they were awful. I just didn't pay attention to scents until I met you. You smell like lavender and orange, and it just soothes everything in me, and this jacket, my God, I love the smell of this jacket." He was rambling, so he took a deep breath and tried to calm down. "I don't understand it, but I'm not complaining. Whatever it is that you're wearing is absolutely worth what you paid for it, no matter the price."

"You smell good, too." Gage pressed his face to Harley's hair and took a deep breath. "You smell of strawberries and roses, which are two of my favorite scents."

“I’m not wearing any cologne.” Harley offered.

“It’s your natural scent and only your beloved can smell it.” He was about to tell him something important Harley could feel it in the air. He didn’t understand the scent comment, but Gage was going to explain and then the outside world decided to intrude upon their sweet alone time.

"Fuck." Gage growled and released Harley, and moved closer to the window. He focused on the area just below them; it was the door they had entered last night. Several of the mutants, three to be exact, were pounding upon the door. It was solid, but their racket would draw others, and he needed to end it.

“I’m going downstairs, but I want you to stay here with the door locked and barricaded.” Gage didn’t want his beloved anywhere near those things. He stepped away from Harley, but Harley wasn’t letting go.

"I saw them, and you can't go down there alone." Harley was upset, but Gage was not going to put him in danger.

“I can handle this sweetheart honestly I’ve battle much worse.” Gage again tried to pull away, but Harley stopped him. “Please I have to do this, and you need to stay here. I can’t focus if I’m worried about you.” That seemed to get through and Harley released him.

"I'm so scared, Gage."

"I know you are, honey, but I promise you I'll be fine." Harley didn't respond, but he nodded and stepped back. Gage kissed him quickly on the lips and took off. He heard the door lock behind him and felt confident that Harley would do as he was asked. He should have known better.

He made it to the first floor in record time and headed for the door. It was still holding strong, but the noise was deafening. He checked the camera, and it was still just the three. Two were large like the one they'd killed, and the third was smaller but just as hideous and just as violent.

Gage went to the far end of the hall and exited by that door, intent on coming up on them from behind. He was armed and ready and easily took out the smaller beast with a quick headshot and then one to the heart. The other two turned on himand tried to rush him, not because they were working together but more like they both had the same idea independently.

There didn’t appear to be any coordination to their actions but more of a monkey see monkey do response. He shot the next one catching him in the heart, but he kept coming although staggered as he moved. The other was on him quickly and Gage took a couple hits before taking him to ground and ending him with a single shot. He then sat up and turned to finish the last.

Before he could finish him, the door swung open, and Harley was standing there. "Get inside!" Gage shouted, and the one who was shot but still functioning lunged toward Harley. Gage thought his heart was going to stop as that thing grabbed hold of Harley's arm and dragged him outside and onto the ground. It raised his claws, and he took a razor-sharp swing at Harley as he lay, cowering and covering his face.

“Stay down!” Gage shouted again and shot the thing before its claws made contact with Harley's tender flesh. It dropped lifeless next to his beloved, who moved quickly out of the way. "Don't move." He told him, and for once, he complied. Harley looked freaked out, but he didn't faint, so that's progress.

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