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“Do you look at him as if you can’t wait to get him all to yourself but then make an excuse to get away the moment you find yourselves alone?”
“No. I want to be at his side every moment, and we’ve had so little time alone I can’t wait to get more.”
“I’d say that’s how a shifter should react to his mate.” Simon sighed. “Renn doesn’t react to me that way, and I have no idea why.” He took a deep breath. “And no idea why I’m telling you this.”
“Because you’re in pain and obviously need to tell someone. I take it you haven’t voiced this to your mate?”
“Never had the chance.” Simon’s lips formed a tense line. “He infuriates me, but I can’t help but love him. I’m not a shifter, but I felt the pull. Everything changed the first time he looked into my eyes. I got dizzy. I couldn’t breathe. When he came and told me we were mates, I thought it was a dream come true, but it’s been a nightmare. He looks at me with longing and then acts as if he’s afraid to touch me.”
“Then you need to talk about it. Tell him exactly how you feel. The pull of a spirit mate is hard to resist. No matter what is going on, he does want to be with you. Something must be holding him back. Once he explains, you two can work this out.” Dash had no idea what might be going on with Renn, but he simply had to offer Simon some encouragement. The man looked so miserable, and Dash found it hard to believe any shifter would reject a mate after openly declaring their status.
“Christopher said you’re easy to talk to,” Simon said. He chuckled. “Gods, I can’t believe I just told you all that.”
“Seems like you needed to let it out. Maybe you were keeping it in to protect Christopher.”
“Or maybe I’m embarrassed my mate is so reluctant.” Simon pressed his lips together. “He’s so handsome and brave. He’s good at everything. I worry I’m a disappointment.”
“Doesn’t work that way. A spirit mate is a precious gift, and the gods know what they’re doing. Give him a chance to explain why he’s been acting this way.”
“Oh, he’s going to explain. If I have to bolt the door and tie the big brute down.”
“What are you two talking about and who are you planning to tie down?” Christopher said as he came up closer behind them.
“It’s a private matter,” Dash said, winking at Christopher. “No need to worry, my love.”
“This waiting is driving me crazy,” Simon blurted out. His face went pink as he said, “Your mate obviously adores you and thinks of nothing but you every moment, and I’m so jealous it’s making me ten times more nervous about seeing Renn.”
Christopher gaped at Simon and then looked to Dash. “What did you say to him?”
“We were just talking,” Dash said. “I was pressing a bit, but—”
“It’s not his fault, Christopher,” Simon said. “I put you off all the time because you let me. I’d say I needed someone to press a bit.”
Christopher said, “I don’t understand you and Renn at all, but you’re his mate and he plans on having you at his side. I’ll show you the letters if you want to see them.”
“He does? He’s actually said that?”
“Yes. He says you’ll take your place at his side when the time is right.”
Simon was quiet a long time. “Then what have I done wrong?”
“Nothing,” Christopher said.
“I shouldn’t have asked you that,” Simon said. “Only Renn can answer that question.”
“You’re his mate. He loves you, but he says it with actions, not words,” Christopher said.
“His actions are even more confusing,” Simon said.
Dash nudged Balor to the side and slowed his pace to let the two friends talk. Christopher threw him a grateful look as the two men lowered their voices.
The more Dash learned about Renn, the more mysterious the man became. If Christopher believed in Renn, Dash could get behind the man and his cause, yet he foresaw lots of obstacles ahead if this dragon shifter couldn’t do something as simple as accept and claim the mate who so obviously loved him.
