Page 16 of No Potions Needed

“Sort of. Mostly, I want to see the world. I want to meet people and see what works and what doesn’t. I want to see how other people do things and maybe tell them how we do things. The little non-security things, anyway,” Othoni said, pulling his shirt up so that my hand ran over his bare belly. “What about you? What do you want to do?”

“To be honest, I don’t know,” I admitted for the first time in a long time. “It’s not like I need to do anything to make money. I know how bad that sounds, but I support a lot of mutual aid. I support some things I won’t even admit to yet. I’m someone’s ace up their sleeve for when and if Clarence Moonscale discovers some things. Before I found you buried in my bed, my plan was to conk out for a few decades after I got this Dern crap settled.”

“But not now, right?” Othoni asked, his eyes going saucer big with worry.

“Not now,” I said. “Not for a long time, if ever,” I reassured him. “I used to feel useful helping with my little siblings or Sunny’s kids. Sunny is my best friend. I think he’s still my best friend anyway. Now, it’s all changed. It feels like everyone has these great lives that are plumb full without me.”

“You want to help people too,” Othoni said. “No wonder you and Mori get along so well.”

“Do we?” I teased him. “I mean I heard some of what you said earlier.”

Othoni blushed and bit his lip.

Yep.

This feline was going to be the death of me. His plump bottom lip gave way under his teeth and a wave of longing wrapped straight around my dick. I hardened against Othoni’s side but if he minded, he didn’t speak up.

“I should’ve been more careful about that,” he said a second later.

“Barry doesn’t like me. I know that,” I chuckled. “I don’t think it’s anything to do with me and everything to do with how much I remind him of my sire. Dad is a force to be reckoned with. He led the GGB before it was the GGB. He has a vivid past. Mine isn’t half as interesting. I’ve never shot anyone in the head. Not that I haven’t been in my fair share of fights and I have had some one-night stands. None that made a kid. I always follow up with omegas later but usually…”

“Usually what?” Othoni blinked, leaning in close.

“I don’t know whether you want to hear this or not. Whether you’re leaning in because you’re curious or turned on or if you’re planning on biting me the minute I say something you don’t like,” I chuckled.

“The first two. Mostly the first one but probably the second too.”

“You sure?” I arched a brow.

“Tell me your secrets, oh mysterious dragon,” he laughed.

“I’ve mostly hooked up with other alphas,” I said. “It’s not much of a secret for those who know me well.”

“That’s hot. Wait! Are you verse? How much do you know about jaguar claiming vows? We don’t have to do everything my way but ---” Othoni said and tripped over his words before he could finish his sentence.

“Not much to be honest. I haven’t met many jaguars and I’ve never asked any of them how they exchanged the claiming vows with their mates,” I admitted.

“I---” Othoni started again and sat up with a hand on his chest.

“Are you having a panic attack, mate?” I sat up and scooted over next to him so that I could rest a hand on his back.

“I don’t think so, but my heart is going to pound right out of my chest thinking about our claiming vows. How does anyone survive this?” he said, managing a laugh that didn’t reach his scent. “How does anyone do this without losing their minds at the very least? Is that what a panic attack is? When your heart tries to pound out of your chest?”

“No,” I said. “Not all of it anyway. It’s where you feel like you’re going to die even though you’re physically fine and safe.”

“This isn’t it but my heart won’t slow down,” he said, leaning forward until his belly nearly rested on his thighs. I rubbed small circles on his back half-ready to call the Appalachian Wolf Help Line. Maybe something was wrong with him. Maybe he needed to see a healer. I could call Jacob but he’d never let me hear the end of not talking to Dern.

“Keep doing that, please,” Othoni whispered. “It makes it easier to think.”

“Do you want to stretch back out? I’ll keep a hold of you,” I offered, unsure of what else to do for him.

“Not yet. I’m---”

“You’re what, mate?” I asked, taking a deep breath.

The stir-crazy panic was gone from his scent, replaced by the aroma of his sweet arousal.

“Oh,” I said, answering my own question. “Do you want me to stop?”

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