Page 97 of Devoted

“You don’t have to keep hold of him like that,” Nox drawled as he turned the page of his paper. “No one here is going to steal him from you.”

He was one to talk. Often he and Micah were so glued together I couldn’t tell where one ended and the other began.

Noah snorted before I could respond. “You say that now, but wait until the twins get in here.”

Sam laughed. “They’re certainly…persistent.”

“Probably testing how far they can push Ezekiel with you here,” Rami said. “Don’t worry though, I’ve got your back. If you don’t want to see your boyfriend get his hands dirty, I’ll do it on his behalf.”

“I’m sure it won’t come to that,” Sam said faintly, his skin paling. “I don’t want to cause any discord between you all.”

The table erupted into laughter, making Sam turn to me with a puzzled frown.

“Discord is part of the furniture here,” I explained. “It’s practically our love language. Speaking of furniture, why don’t you sit down and I’ll find us something to eat.”

“I can help,” Sam said hurriedly. “I don’t want you waiting on me, Zeke.”

“It’s all prepared,” Rami said, patting the seat beside him at the end of the table. “There’s a choice of Spanish omelette or chicken risotto.”

Sam cleared his throat, his fingers tapping. “Omelette sounds great.”

I watched him from the corner of my eye as I strode for the covered dishes Rami had left out. Rami patted the chair again, and Sam stiffened his shoulders, that fake smile of his appearing. I didn’t think the others could spot it as he walked over and perched on the offered seat. But I could.

Something was bothering Sam, but what?

I tried to put my finger on it as I quickly plated us both thick slices of the omelette along with a portion of salad. Did he not like the food on offer? Was he uncomfortable eating off our plates? I doubted it was that, given he’d been fine doing so this morning. Then again, both he and Benji had told me that something that was okay one moment might not be the next.

Fuck, this was so frustrating. Part of me was tempted to blurt out that he was my mate right there and then, for the purely selfish reason of being able to read his emotions more clearly with a bond.

Just then, he glanced over his shoulder at the back door. It was directly behind him, leading out to the surrounding gardens and woodland. Two seconds later, he did it again. He clenched his fists on the table, and even though he was quietly chatting with Noah and Rami, his discomfort was apparent.

At least, it was apparent to me.

The third time he glanced back, his shoulders now tensing, I knew exactly what was bothering him. Thankfully, it was an easy fix.

Plates in hand, I marched back over to the table. Putting them in the exact spots we’d been seated in this morning, I ignored Sam’s questioning look as I walked over to him. “Come on, we’re going to sit here.”

Sam flushed, his gaze darting to Rami, who was staring at me like I’d grown an extra head. “It’s fine, Zeke. I’m okay here.”

I’d believe that if he unclenched his fists. “Well, I’m not okay with you here. I want you next to me, so up you get.”

“Wow, you really are taking possessive to the next level,” Rami quipped, leaning back in his chair. “Sure you don’t want to scent mark him too?”

“Hardy har,” I said without any heat as I led Sam to his seat. He sat down, looking at both the door leading to the kitchen and the one to the garden. From this new seat, he could see both. His hands finally unclenched, a small smile tugging at his lips. His eyes met mine, shining with gratitude.Thank you, he mouthed.

“Maybe we need to stage an intervention,” Noah was saying, tongue in cheek. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea if we let Ezekiel live out his full crazy in front of Sam.”

I ignored them. Let them mock me. I’d take whatever they wanted to throw at me if it meant Sam was comfortable.

I slid into the seat beside my mate, nudging his plate closer. Only once he’d rolled his eyes and picked up his fork did I do the same.

Neither of us spoke as we ate, letting the quiet chatter from Rami and Noah fill the air. Occasionally Nox would pipe up, offering his opinion or a snarky comment before he returned to his paper. A twinge of guilt hit me when I realised Micah must be busy if Nox was killing time in here. It was safe to say I hadn’t been pulling my weight over the past twenty-four hours.

Sam’s elbow brushed against mine and the guilt ebbed. Micah would understand. Out of everyone, he knew what it was like when you found your fated mate. They took up every inch of your brain space, whether you wanted them to or not.

Rami and Noah left after a little while, leaving the two of us alone with Nox. Sam relaxed even further, teasing and flirting with me quietly as we continued with our meal.

We’d almost finished when the twins entered. I tensed automatically. While everyone was trying to be on their bestbehaviour, I hadn’t forgotten the flirty comments they’d made to Sam this morning.

---