Chapter Eleven
Rodney
“Oh,” I hear Gaylesay breathlessly, his hand tightening around my wrist. “Fuck.”
“It’s okay,” Kei says, his voice suddenly going softer. It’s not often I get to see him like this but anytime someone’s in trouble or needs to be taken care of, he takes on a whole new role, a whole new persona. It’s like he only allows himself to be softwhen he’s taking care of someone else. “It’s not your fault. Everything is going to be okay.”
“You don’t have to baby me,” Gayle says, using his free hand to cover his face. “It’s not supposed to be here for another two months. I’m just surprised. I wouldn’t have come here if I’d known, I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for,” Kei says right away. He looks over at me, nodding towards my room. “Rodney and I are gonna go have a chat really quick, why don’t you go take your stuff back out to your car, okay?”
Gayle’s jaw clenches before he’s nodding. It seems like it’s difficult for him to let go of me but he eventually does before turning on his heel and walking outside.
“Come on,” Kei says, dragging me into his room. “Do you know much about ruts?”
“Enough,” I say, my heart suddenly picking up speed.
“I have to ask you this, do youwantto spend a rut with Gayle? It’s okay if the answer is no. I’ll tell him to go and explain you’re not ready.”
“No, no, it’s okay, Kei. We’ve talked about this before. I want to help him through it.”
“Okay,” he says with a sigh. “Then you should pack a bag. Do your T shot right away, too because once you guys start, you won’t remember to do it later.”
“Good shout,” I say right away, heading into the bathroom. I do my shot and then go back to my room and pack some clean clothes. I also bring my bag with my dirty clothes, knowing I’ll want to use them for a nest with Gayle.
Once I have everything, I head outside, finding Gayle and Kei talking.
“I won’t scent mark Rodney anymore when I know he’s going over to your place.”
Gayle rubs the back of his neck, looking at his feet. “You don’t have to stop.”
“Doesn’t the smell bother you?”
Gayle shakes his head. “It doesn’t. I’ve grown used to it. It smells right,” he says with a shrug. “I know it’s not very ‘alpha’ of me to just be fine with my mate smelling like another pack, but I’ve never been much for stereotypes. It smells right and familiar. Does it bother you when he comes home smelling like me and Calloway?”
Kei seems to think about that for a moment before sighing. “No, it doesn’t bother me. You’re right. Our packs are morphing into something that belongs together.” Then he quickly adds, “I still want to be the head though. You got a problem with that?”
“Was my show of submission not enough for you?” Gayle asks but there’s a little smile on his face.
“Good point,” Kei says with a nod. Gayle looks over at me, his face lighting up.
“Ready to go?”
“Yep!”
Kei pulls me into a quick hug. “If you change your mind, call me and I’ll come get you.”
“Thanks, Kei. I think I’ll be okay but thanks for caring.”
“Whatever,” he says, shoving me away and walking into the house, slamming the door behind himself. What a dick. I snort as I get into the car, taking the driver’s seat.
The drive back to Gayle’s house feels longer than usual. Gayle is squirming in the seat, like he can’t quite get comfortable. His cheeks are red and he keeps looking over at me and staring but when I look at him, he quickly looks away.
I sigh, my hands tightening around the steering wheel. “Are you still okay with spending your rut with me?”
“Yes!” Gayle says right away, like the word is punched out of his chest. “Yes, of course. I’m sorry I’m acting weird. I’mnervous.”
“Why are you nervous?”
