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“I’m not afraid of your tiger.He’s you.”

Ryan seemed pleased with that answer.“He is.You have nothing to be worried about.”

Devon had plenty to be worried about, but most of it didn’t have to do with Ryan, so he nodded.Ryan took a step back and reached for his t-shirt.Devon was aware that shifters stripped to shift, and he’d seen Melissa and Haley do it more times than he could count, but for some reason, he hadn’t thought aboutRyanneeding to strip to shift.

When Ryan pulled off his shirt, Devon quickly looked away.He didn’t think Ryan would be uncomfortable even if he stared, buthewould be.

Devon swallowed.He’d never been with anyone.He’d barely even kissed anyone before Ryan.He wanted more, but at the same time, he was terrified to get it.He wouldn’t know what to do with a naked Ryan, so it was better if he just didn’t look at him.Besides, it wasn’t like Ryan was getting naked because they were going to do anything.He was just shifting and didn’t want to ruin his clothes.

Devon listened to the rustling of clothes and the grass.He wasn’t sure when Ryan shifted, but when he felt something big hit his knee, he couldn’t avoid looking down.

He found himself staring into the eyes of a tiger.His mouth went dry, and his instinct screamed at him to run, but he forced himself to stay where he was.He watched Ryan for a moment, and Ryan watched him back.

He could see Ryan in the tiger’s eyes.The tiger was intimidating, but inside, he was the person that Devon wanted to be with.Devon had gone through this with Melissa, too.He’d never been afraid of Haley because she was so small and adorable when she shifted, but it had taken him a few weeks to get used to Melissa shifting so she could hunt food for them.Eventually, his instinct would stop screaming at him, and he would barely react when Ryan shifted.

In the meantime, he didn’t want Ryan to think that he was afraid of him, so he reached out.Ryan closed his eyes when Devon rubbed the top of his head.He leaned closer, and he was so heavy that he almost caused Devon to fall.Devon scrambled to stay on his feet, laughing as he did so.

“I’m not sure you know your strength when you’re in your tiger form,” he said.

Ryan grinned up at him.It exposed his fangs, and Devon told himself that he had nothing to be afraid of.This was Ryan.It was the Ryan who’d kissed Devon so sweetly, who’d believed him when he’d said that Nic had initiated the kiss and that Devon hadn’t wanted it, and who’d forgiven Devon for going after his brother.He would never hurt Devon.If anything, it was the other way around.Devon was terrified of hurting Ryan.

He dropped to the ground.The grass was cool against his heated skin, and he stretched out, smiling.His smile widened when Ryan flopped down next to him.He was a massive bundle of fur, which meant he’d keep Devon too warm, but Devon didn’t care.

It was the first time they did this, so it took them a moment to find a position that was comfortable for both of them.Eventually, they ended up with Ryan’s big head on Devon’s stomach.Devon continued petting him, and even though he was still worried for Nic, he pushed his friend to the back of his mind.This was a moment for him and Ryan.It felt like the beginning of their relationship, and Devon wanted to enjoy it.

He would have time to think about Nic and worry about him later.Right now, there was nothing more important to Devon than Ryan and the afternoon they were spending together.

He hadn’t thought he would ever have this, even after he’d found out that he was Ryan’s mate.He’d believed that he was doomed and that he’d have to leave everyone he loved behind because of a stupid mistake.He was still tempted to run every so often, but he knew that he’d just have to think about his afternoon with Ryan to remember why he shouldn’t.

Ryan wanted Devon to stay.That was good enough for Devon.

Chapter Six

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RYAN LOOKED AROUNDthe bedroom.He hadn’t thought he’d be allowed here so quickly, but he was excited at the thought of spending the night with Devon.

Devon had been shy when he’d asked Ryan if he would like that.He’d also quickly told Ryan that he meant for them to share a bed to sleep and nothing else, which was fine with Ryan.Devon was endearing, and it was clear he didn’t have a lot of experience.Ryan never wanted to do anything to hurt or rush him, and sleeping with his mate was more than he’d expected so soon after they’d met.

“Melissa said we didn’t have to keep the door open, but I think it would be better if we did,” Devon said as he came in after using the bathroom.His hair was damp and his cheeks flushed, and he was looking everywhere but at Ryan.

“That’s fine,” Ryan reassured him.“Whatever you’re comfortable with.”

He could tell that Devon was growing more comfortable with him, even though he was still shy.They’d been seeing each other for a few weeks now.They spent time together as often as they could.Ryan was always happy to see Devon, and Devon seemed to feel the same about him.He loved cuddling with Ryan when Ryan was in his tiger form, and he was getting bolder about requesting it.Ryan was always happy to shift for his mate.

He knew that things still weren’t easy for Devon.He was worried about Nic, who’d seemingly vanished into thin air and hadn’t been back to work.Devon had tried calling him and had ranted at Ryan several times about the situation, but unfortunately, there was nothing either of them could do.Nic was gone, and his phone was off.

Ryan suspected that Nic’s disappearance was one of the reasons Devon had asked him to sleep over.He was worried and hadn’t been sleeping well.Ryan didn’t know Nic, and he was starting to get worried, too.It wasn’t normal for a man to vanish the way Nic had, even after he’d been rejected by Devon.Nic wasn’t Ryan’s friend, but he was important to Devon, and that was enough for Ryan.

“Did Kendrick say anything about you staying here for the night?”Devon asked as he turned toward the bed.

Ryan was amused at the awkwardness in his mate and found it sweet.He didn’t think that Devon had ever shared a bed with someone he was interested in romantically.“What was he supposed to say?”

Devon shrugged.“I don’t know.It must have been awkward.”

“It would’ve been awkward if we’d done this there, but that’s mostly because I don’t think Jonas is ready to see you yet.Kendrick offered, though.”

Devon blinked.“What?”

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