“Mate with your mate?” Nolan was never going to let Race live this down. It suited Con to the bone.
“Shut up, brother. No one asked you.” Race stuck his tongue out at Nolan and then, as Connal watched, his mate let his bear out in a rush — as soon as he stripped off his leathers.
Those are expensive to replace.
I know. You’re good. Sleep with me, mate.Con was so tired.
Of course, Bear. Rest. I’m right here.
He let his eyes drift closed, and he thought about all the things he wanted to do with Race, not even sexual things, although he was so ready for that as soon as he recovered. He wanted to go hunting berries, go fishing, laze around in the sun in his cabin, tinker away at his weird art or machinery projects, and let Race cover him with questions.
Race’s paws never let up, stroking him, digging into his fur anywhere it wasn’t going to hurt him.I want all those things too, but for now you need to sleep; you have to or you won’t heal.
I’m trying. I think it’s still just a little bit of adrenaline from the guys showing up trying to wear off, but I promise I’m working on it.
Race snuggled in close and went boneless against him, leading by example.Sleep now, Con.After that there was nothing but soft snores coming from Race.
Sleep now. He could do that. His brothers were here. His mate was here. His bike was here.
So Con let himself drift off. Finally. And the pain didn’t follow him too far down.
It was going to work out.
They droppedRobbie the bunny off at the bar where their wolf shifter buddy Quin and his brothers would take the next step of finding the poor guy housing, help, and a way to get back on his feet and back into his real life.
Then they went home.
Race knew he couldn’t think of it as home yet, because it wasn’t his place, but the plot of land was Nolan’s home, and it was Connal’s too, so that was where they were going.
The chunk of territory that the grizzlies held was vast, which made sense —three grizzlies needed space. Even if they were brothers, they still had that immediate urge to protect themselves, protect their mates.
Race was actually a little bit nervous that they’d get there, and that Connal would decide that he didn’t belong.
It wasn’t as if he couldn’t stay with Nolan; of course he could. He was always welcome, and he knew it, but it didn’t really matter.
He wanted to stay with Connal.
It was as though, once he’d admitted to the big goofball that he was actually mated, it was like he had a stroke or something and he couldn’t un-admit it. He couldn’t pretend not to care.
It kind of pissed him off, but it was what it was.
What could he say? He was a grumpy asshole. And Con had this Golden Retriever energy. A match made in… Well, the irony was thick.
He headed to Con’s bedroom as soon as he got to the cabin, War dropping him off with a, “Feed him well.”
Taking a deep breath, he headed inside, loving how weird and art-focused the place felt, with wild bear sculptures out front and a wall-sized woven art piece on the main wall of the entry.
Do you need anything?Race felt very uncomfortable. He wasn’t sure he was welcome in the bed, but there was a huge, overstuffed recliner that looked like it was made for sleeping in. He found the remote on the heavy wood bedside table, and that decided him.
He’d sit in the chair and watch TV while Connal slept.
That seemed like the most logical thing, but first he needed to find out if Connal needed anything.
There was a kitchen. Obviously there’d be food.
I can get you a drink?
Connal’s response was to snort at him, roll over, and start farting and snoring.
