Page 37 of Christopher

Drake’s cheeks flushed, but Chris just rolled his eyes. He might not have been a pride member for long, but he already knew Liam well enough. “Very funny.”

“I wasn’t trying to be funny. Your mate will want to see the place where he’ll spend the nights when he’s here.”

“Maybe I’ll move into his apartment,” Chris grumbled.

“If you do, let us know. We can give your room to someone else.”

They probably wouldn’t, but there was no way Chris would leave the house anytime soon. He might eventually, but for now, he was home.

“They’re not what I expected,” Drake said as they walked away.

Chriswasgoing to take him to his room. He just hadn’t wanted to give Liam the satisfaction. “They’re pretty laid-back,” Chris agreed. “My old alpha doesn’t sound anything like your old alpha, but he was a dick anyway. Gal is nothing like him, and I’m glad.”

“I still feel like they might regret letting me into the pride. I mean, I was on my best behavior, but I still messed up.”

“They’re not going to regret letting you into the pride. They wouldn’t have done it if they weren’t convinced it was the right thing to do. You have to give people a chance to love you for who you are instead of the version you show people. The people who actually care about you will take you as you are.”

That included Chris. He didn’t want another mate. He didn’t want another version of his mate. He wanted Drake, with hisbabbling and neediness and energy. He was the perfect man for Chris.

Chris could only hope to be the perfect man for him.

* * * *

Drake hoped Chris was right. It was one thing to believe your mate could like you for who you were—and he still wasn’t completely convinced of that—but it was another thing entirely when it came to a bunch of people Drake barely knew. In a way, Chrishadto like him because of the bond they shared. That didn’t go for Gal or the pride, and they didn’t have a reason to keep Drake happy. That meant that if they didn’t like him, they wouldn’t hesitate to tell him.

It hurt to think they might. Drake had been trying hard to stay away from the pride, telling himself that he didn’t need them and was fine on his own, that he hadn’t realized that maybe that wasn’t the case. He didn’t want to go back to his birth pack and had never really felt at home there, but something told him that here, he could. Maybe it was because Chris was a pride member, or maybe it was because of his friends, but Drake could see himself settling down with the pride.

But what if they didn’t like him? What if they decided they didn’t want him here? No matter what Gal said, he wouldn’t be able to ignore it if some pride members decided that was what they wanted. He’d have to give in to their demands, even if it meant kicking Drake out.

Chris stopped walking, and since he was holding Drake’s hand, Drake had to do the same. He didn’t argue when Chris pulled him closer. He was curious to see what would happen, but more than that, he was always okay with Chris cuddling him.

But Chris didn’t cuddle him. Instead, he looked down at him, his eyes narrow as if he were trying to read him.

“You don’t believe me.”

Drake looked away. It was harder to lie to Chris when he was looking him in the eyes. “I never said that.”

“You don’t have to say it. I can see you don’t believe that the pride wants you.”

“I believe that Gal wants me to be a pride member. I believe you want that, too, and Dennis and my other friends, but what about everyone else? Shouldn’t they have a say in it?”

“Not really. Gal is the only one who has a say in who becomes a pride member, and he told you that you were one. Isn’t that enough?”

It should be, but not for Drake. “What if they, like, revolt because they want me out? Gal will have to listen to them then.”

Chris snorted and slapped his free hand over his mouth. His eyes were wide now, and Drake couldn’t avoid noticing how hard he was trying not to laugh. Eventually, he broke down and did, mirth shaking his body.

Drake wasn’t offended, but he was confused. He didn’t understand what was so funny about this.

“Sorry, but I keep imagining some of the pride members storming Gal’s office and demanding for you to be kicked out, and it’s funny.”

“I don’t find it funny,” Drake grumbled.

“That’s because you think it could happen, but it won’t.” Chris grabbed both of Drake’s shoulders. “Look, what’s the worst that can happen? And don’t say that someone might hold Gal at gunpoint and force him to kick you out because that’s not gonna happen. Try to stay realistic.”

“Everyone but you and my best friends will hate me.”

“That’s not realistic. Yes, some people might dislike you. Hell, some might hate you. I’m sure some pride members hate me and my family and want us out, but that doesn’t mean we’ll leave. Gal would never allow anyone to force his hand one way or another. Besides, why would people hate you?”

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