“Ah, Bastian.” Axel turned to him. “This is Hudson Moore. He’d like to speak with you.”
Axel stepped to the side and Hudson rose from the couch as he stared at Bas with wide eyes.
“You’re Bastian?” Hudson’s voice was barely above a whisper.
“Hello.” Bastian charged forward, nearly tripping over his own feet.
Luckily, the alpha was there to set a steadying hand on his elbow. Fuck! Bastian was a moron!
He rolled his shoulders and gave Axel a quick nod of gratitude.
“I’ll let the two of you talk,” Axel said. He glanced back at Hudson. “If you need anything, please let one of us know. It was a pleasure to meet you, Hudson.”
Hudson beamed. “Same. Thank you for welcoming me into your home.”
Bas had to bite off the growl that was coming up from his chest. No growling! Even if Hudson should never smile at anyone like that but him.
“You are always welcome.” The alpha gave a nod.
“Thank you so for being so kind, Axel. And for accepting my apology.” Hudson appeared so earnest.
“Think nothing of it. I’m glad we’ve met,” Axel replied. He winked at Bas before exiting the room.
Bas cleared his throat. “Apology?” What would his sweet mate ever have to be sorry about?
Hudson’s cheek turned pink. “I made a very stupid and hurtful comment this afternoon about a rumor I’d heard about your family.”
“The cult thing?” Bastian still didn’t understand the big deal. It wasn’t true. Although Noah had been extremely upset and so had the other boys, but they also had good hearts and forgave quickly.
“You heard about that?” Hudson squirmed while wringing his hands. “I’m so sorry!”
Bas closed the distance between them and captured Hudson’s hands in his. “Hey! It’s okay. Sometimes we say things that aren’t true. I doubt that you meant anything harmful by it.”
“I really didn’t,” Hudson insisted.
Bas was pleased when the human didn’t pull away.
“I was just so shocked that Noah…and you lived here. I didn’t know that. I just overheard people talking about the men that lived out here. Everyone is so curious about you all.”
“I haven’t been here long,” Bastian shared. “A couple of weeks as I visited with an old co-worker and friend so you might know more about what people say than I do.”
“Oh!” Hudson nodded. “That makes sense. I hadn’t seen Bas around here before a few days ago.”
That must have been the reminder that Hudson needed as he pulled his hands from Bastian’s grasp and lifted his head.
“Bas is a margay, correct?”
The human was such a smartie. Smile! Bastian should smile at his mate. “Would you like to sit?” Manners. Bastian had manners and he would show them.
“Oh!” Hudson smiled. “Yes, thank you.”
“Great.” Bas motioned to the couch. He waited for Hudson to sit then settled close beside him.
“Thank you,” Hudson said.
“Of course,” Bas responded. “Would you like a drink? Have you had dinner?” They were supposed to be having dinner as a family but there were enough snacks in the house so that he could make sure his mate wasn’t in need.
“I’m fine,” Hudson insisted.
