Page 18 of Forbidden Mischief
“Oh.” Zayne looks at my mom. “Okay, yeah, sure.” He lets out a breath, running his hand through his brown locks. “I’ll, ah, I’ll meet you at the car.”
Zayne’s eyes flick over to mine, causing me to take a step forward before he takes off toward the car.
Balling my hands into fists at my side, I breathe heavily as I battle the war going on inside my head. Inside my damn heart and soul, too.
As soon as Zayne is out of sight, Mom swings her pitying gaze to me. “Asher, baby.” Her voice is soft. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I didn’t know.” I scrub my face with my hands, frustration and confusion coursing through my veins as I pace again. “It just happened. One minute I was playing football, the next my wolf was screaming at me that he’s my mate. I panicked, shifted and took off. And here we are.”
Mom’s brows furrow. “You didn’t know beforehand? Nothing to indicate there could be something more?”
With my head in my hands, I take a few deep breaths to try and calm myself. Do I tell her about the fact I haven’t been able to stop thinking about him? That I’ve touched myself to the thoughts of all the dirty and fucked up things I wanted to do to dear old stepbrother?
No. Because it’s fucked up. It’s wrong. All of this is fucking wrong.
“I’ve been attracted to him since I met him,” is all I admit. “But I didn’t think anything of it, apart from the fact that he’s good looking.”
“Oh, honey.” Mom steps forward, wrapping me in her arms.
She’s so much smaller than me, but right now I feel like a little boy who’s hurting and in need of his mother’s comfort.
“What do I do?” I rasp out, voice thick with emotion. “Tell me what to do, Mom? Because I’m freaking the fuck out because he’s straight, Mom. And, not to mention, he’s my stepbrother. I don’t want to cause any issues between you and Dexter. I really like the guy. He’s a good man, and honestly, a better father than I could have ever hoped for. I don’t want him to hate me.”
She steps back, giving me a soft smile as she cups my face between her small, soft hands. “Mates trump everything, my sweet boy. Dexter adores you, he could never hate you. He understands how this works. It might not be something that happens often with warlocks, but he knows all about how shifters can mate anyone in and outside their own species. He’s not going to hate you or be upset. And even if Zayne wasn’t your mate, if you chose to explore something between the two of you, we wouldn’t be against it. You're both adults, eighteen now, and you didn’t grow up together. You can’t help who you catch feelings for, and you sure as hell can’t help who you end up mated to.” She gives me a soft smile, running her hands up and down my arms.
“That's the thing, Mom, did you miss the part where I mentioned the fact that he’s not into men? Therefore, he’s not into me!” I growl in frustration.
She gives me a small smirk. “I think you need to talk to the boy before you go thinking the worst of all of this. Follow your heart, Asher. Give into what destiny planned for you. Dexter and I , we will support you guys no matter what.”
“I’m scared, Mom.” I hate to admit it, feeling so small in this moment.
“Oh, honey.” Mom wraps me up in another hug and I cling to her.
We stay like this for a long moment before she pulls back and takes my hand. “Come on, love, let’s go home.”
My stomach is in knots as we walk to the car. Knowing Zayne is there. I’m going to be so close to him and not be able to touch him.
Unable to look at him for fear of what my wolf might do, I keep my eyes forward as I slide into the front seat of the car.
Mom gets in and starts the car. She gives me a light pat before pulling out onto the road.
I can feel his eyes on me, watching me. It sends a shiver down my spine and right to my damn dick.
Closing my eyes, I concentrate on my breathing, on keeping myself under control.
When we get back, I have to talk to him. I have to tell him what we are.
And I pray to whatever god is listening, that he doesn’t hate me. That he’s not disgusted with me or our destiny.
I can take a beating from my dad, but I’m not sure if I could handle Zayne’s rejection.
CHAPTER 10
ZAYNE
The car ride home is silent, the tension in the car is thick. The only sounds are the hum of the engine and my own ragged breathing, which I can’t seem to control.
I keep stealing glances at Asher, trying to ignore the way my body feels when I see him. He’s sitting in the front seat, his posture stiff, his eyes glued to the window. It’s like he’s trying to put distance between him and everyone in the car. I don’t know what the hell is going on inside my head, but it’s not normal. I can’t stop thinking about him.
