Page 17 of Walking in Darkness

“We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. We know you have a problem with it because of the attack,” Connie said.

“Yeah, that’s a worry for later.” There was that word again. “Idowant to be a mate to both of you—”

“Oh, thank the Flames,” Connie whispered.

Hudson sagged against the couch.

Kit couldn’t resist the urge, so he kissed them both quickly. Yup, he felt like an utter ass and was about to add to that feeling with what he was going to say.

“But I also don’t want to rush into this. I mean, this is huge, right? And permanent. Maybe dragons jump right in, but I’m not a dragon. I need to get to know both of you. I need a little time. Can you give me that?”

Funny how running never crossed his mind.

“Of course we can,” Hudson said.

Connie nodded enthusiastically.

“We’d already decided there would be a relationship between the three of us, right?” Hudson asked. “The only thing that’s changed is the fact that now you know you’re our mate and not someone we wanted to play with.”

“I mean, we still want to play with you.” Connie grinned at Kit. “A lot. But I think I can speak for Hudson, too, when I say we understand your need to not jump right into this.”

“He does,” Hudson said.

“Good. Thank you.” It was time to find out just what it meant being their mate because Kit was about to ask for the biggest favor ever. “So, about my papa. I want answers, and I won’t get them until I talk to my parents. I need to go home.”

CHAPTER FIVE – CONNIE

CONNIE BARELY managed not to shout no. Every instinct he had demanded Kit stay in their territory where he could be protected. Maybe even lock him up in his hoard and set anyone who got near on fire.

That was the mating instinct talking, though, the possessive part of him that needed to keep Kit safe. If the look Hudson shot him was any indication, his king was fully aware of what Connie was thinking. Probably because he was thinking it too.

According to Gaura—holy hell, Kit had met Gaura—Lennox wanted to force a mating on Kit. Connie’s dragon roared in his head. The very thought made him crazy. He’d burn the world down if that happened.

“Where is home again?” Hudson asked.

“The Ozarks,” Kit answered. “Little town called Mountain Springs in Missouri.”

Connie glanced at Hudson. Was Hudson stalling for time? He already knew this, of course. From the moment Kit had been exposed to the paranormal world and Kage had asked Hudson to keep an eye on the human, Hudson had investigated him.

They knew of the commune Kit had grown up in, where it was found, the people in it, his parents, and so on. The part of the Ozarks their mate had lived in was a highland region that covered almost half of the state of Missouri.

It extended over all or part of ninety-three counties in four states: Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. The total area was approximately fifty thousand square miles, an area the size of Florida.

In retrospect, it was the perfect place for a shifter to hide.

“Okay,” Hudson said.

Connie gaped at Hudson. “What?”

“What do you mean what?” Kit demanded of Connie. “In case you didn’t notice, I wasn’t asking permission to go. Iamgoing. Period.”

“Then we’ll go with you,” Hudson said.

“What?” Connie nearly shouted. Had everyone lost their damn minds?

The part of him that stood as the right hand of his king wanted to yell that logistically, it was a nightmare in terms of protection for both his kingandhis mate.

“Um, I didn’t ask you to go. Just wanted to point that out,” Kit snapped.

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