Page 9 of Once Upon a Dance Club Wish

Ahmed leaned back and released a booming laugh. “Oh, my dear outer-worlder, you’ve got it all wrong.”

I lowered my head, certain Nelson’s misgivings were all my fault. “I’m sorry.”

Ahmed clutched my shoulder and squeezed “No, no. It seems I didn’t prepare you properly for our guests. The first person they should meet is Walter. He can explain this enchanted world to them as an outer-worlder.”

“And, Nelson.” Ahmed stood and rested his hand on the outer-worlder’s shoulder. “I really did not expect you to wish your way here so soon. Because you were never intended to be Banir’s mate. I picked someone else from your world I thought would be better suited for him.”

Nelson’s face wrinkled into the same expression I was sure I wore. Confusion. “What do you mean? Who am I meant for? I still don’t want to be with anyone from the council.”

Ahmed winked with a mischievous smile. “Tell me, my dear boy, who is it you would stay here for?”

I glanced at the outer-worlder, waiting for his answer, hoping I had helped convince him to stay in some way. But he would not look at me. Maybe I should have dressed after getting out of the pond. Yet, it was too late; my clothes were still at the pond.

Nelson wrinkled his nose before he chewed on his bottom lip. “There is only one person. Being.”

My heart raced. At least he had made a connection with one of us. But whom? Perhaps Rauh with the amount of time they’d spent together. But why had Nelson run, then? Why was he ready to return to his world if he had already been in the presence of his desired mate?

“Well?” Ahmed prodded. “Who is it?”

Digging the toe of his shoe into the ground, Nelson quickly glanced at me, his cheeks red, before turning away again. “Holden.”

My heart beat erratically as I tried to process Nelson’s response. He wanted to be my mate. Was that what he’d meant earlier when he said he liked me? Of all those I’d introduced him to, he’d taken to me. I worried how Banir and the rest of the council would respond. While I liked Nelson, too, found him very appealing, I never saw him as a possible mate because I didn’t believe I would have an opportunity to be with him. But it seemed I was the only mate he would stay for. Miffs, I was in trouble.

Chapter Nine

Nelson

I waited for Holden to say he wanted me as his mate. Still not sure if I would remain in the Enchanted Forest, I knew I had no desire to stay or be paired with anyone else. But, without a response, I expected to return to my life in the outer-world. In both, I had no place of my own and no job to keep me occupied. And my heart would be broken—again.

“Holden?” The wizard snapped his fingers in front of the turtle shifter’s face. “Any response?”

He blinked hard before he swallowed. “I didn’t know I was allowed. What will Banir do when he finds out?”

Ahmed slapped Holden’s back. “You let me talk to him. In the meantime, take Nelson here to see Walter, and prove he’s not being held captive.”

Holden nodded quickly. “Okay.”

He’d seemed so confident before, when he assumed I would be Banir’s mate, but that confidence turned to fear. Maybe even terror. Was he afraid of me?

Starting to walk in the direction of what I assumed to be where Walter lived, Holden stopped abruptly. “But I don’t have a place for you to live.” He glanced behind me to the wizard. “Ahmed, where will he live? Outer-worlders don’t sleep in ponds.”

“There are many new huts recently built.” The wizard smiled at him like a parent would to a child. “It will be an adjustment for you both.”

Holden glanced at me before giving a determined nod. “Okay, let’s go introduce you to Walter.”

On our hike through the woods, Holden’s initial fear seemed to ebb away. At first, he was several feet ahead of me, onlyslowing down occasionally to ensure I still followed. It gave me a great view of his bare back and ass, but the distraction caused me to stumble a few times. When we reached a path, his pace changed and he walked beside me, causing other parts of his body to capture my attention.

“Of all the beings I introduced you to, you really picked me?” He shook his head slightly before he rubbed the back of his neck. “Are you sure?”

I reached over for his hand and threaded my fingers through his until he finally relaxed his grip. Focusing on his face and the path ahead, I tried to convey my thoughts. “You were kind to me from the moment I arrived. Except when you left me with Banir.” I meant the last part to tease him even if I was still bitter about it.

He slowed down and scuffed his foot in the dirt. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

Pulling myself closer to him, I brushed my shoulder against his. “That’s okay. But I have a better reason to stay now since I can be your mate.” I paused, letting go of him. “That is, if you want to be with me.” I shouldn’t have forced him into something with me the way I thought they were going to force me to be with Banir. He might not have any attraction to me at all.

He spun in my direction and gulped, his semi-erect cock bobbing with the motion. “I’m not sure what I have to offer. Whether I’ll be a good mate. I’ve never lived in a hut.”

“And neither have I.” Though I had the urge to palm his cock and kiss his full lips, I didn’t want to be like any of the creeps I’d left behind. Instead, I reached for his hand once again. “This is all new for me, too. We can figure it out together. Especially the pregnancy part, because I’m still not sure how that works, but I’m willing to give it a try with you.”

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